Hey there, to be honest, I've already seen posts like mine in this community, but I didn't find any specific post that shows which freehub I should buy for my new bike (or if I really need it). This is my new Aeroad CF SLX 8 2026. I had my first ride with this, and I thought the freehub was too silent. I know that I can buy 54T to upgrade it (at least that was the information that I found in other posts), but I don't know exactly each model I have to buy. Does anyone have the same bike and has changed it, or knows which one I should buy? The reason I want to upgrade it is only because of its sound, which is very silent, and people can barely hear when I'm coming behind them. If there is any other solution, I would like to hear about it too. Thank you all!
by Efficient_Big5992
10 Comments
Ratchet exp upgrade kit 54t. Prepare to suffer because getting rid of the inner ratchet disc is a pain in the ass (it’s screwed in place with a special tool). Ride the bike, it will get louder. I have the previous arc 1400 with basically the same hub and it’ll become way louder.
Obvious advise: never clamp the bike at the top tube!
you need to ride it for a while for the grease to distribute around the hub. go and ride your bike!
The sound will also come with the one you have, the wheels and the hubs need to be run in… however the specific 54T for that hub can be found on the manufacturer’s website. However I repeat after a few hundred km the sound will arrive and how!!! Even mine were quiet when they were new.
Lovely bike.
Another option if you are impatient – remove the freehub, remove the DT Swiss grease that will be on the ratchets, and put a couple of drops of wet lube on there instead.
Will make it louder although you should probably redo this more regularly than you would if you kept the DT Swiss grease on there/reapplied that. Only takes 5 mins to do, it’s basic maintenance and no tools required if you keep the cassette on.
It does seem to me that it sounds quite a bit, compared to my old bike.
For my taste it sounds sufficient without being annoying.
Please don’t clamp the top tube. Use the Seatpost
Wait a bit. My ARC1400 were pretty silent at the beginning but now they are pretty loud and sound nice.
2nd these comments, got exactly the same bike this year and it’s getting louder as it keeps getting rides in. Have the 2022 Endurance with same hubs and it’s crazy loud, so just be patience and keep riding. I see loud hub noice and a big smile in your near future. 🤙
I’m the opposite here. I love silent hubs. I regularly pack my DT Swiss hubs with grease. The only thing that sucks is that it doesn’t last. I get maybe 150-200km out and it’s back to noisy.
Just buy a bicycle bell FFS… actually no u need a brand new Harley Davidson