Squeaky / Noisy rear hub/freewheel/cassette?

[Japtastic]

Hi,

I’ve just converted my 2018 Specialized hybrid bike (with hydraulic brakes) to a Bafang BBSHD. First couple of rides have gone really well but when pushing really hard between 1000-1500w I do get some weird noise, best described as a bit squeaky that appears to be coming from the rear hub/cassette/freewheel area. The bike came with fairly basic Shimano kit.

Is this a common complaint? What is the noise likely to be? What are the recommended upgrades for my bike now I’m pushing a lot of power through it?

Thanks

 

[AHicks]

You might have a look at your rear spokes to make sure they are tensioned properly. If some are loose, they are very capable of generating some weird noises.

 

[Pinesal]

I had this exact problem and resolved just today by tightening the spokes.

 

[Chalo]

If it is the spokes, keep in mind that the problem won't go away just because you tighten them once. Most hub motor kit wheels are laced with extra-thick spokes, which don't make the wheel stronger, but which do make it unscrew itself during normal riding.

So keep an eye on the spokes and tighten them up as often as necessary.

EDIT:
I see your bike has a BBSHD and not a hub motor. So your noise might well be loose spokes, but probably not spokes that are loose because they're too thick.

 

[MadRhino]

Worn out freewheel and loose spokes are making very different noise, in very different situations. I just can’t see how they can be confused.

 

[Chalo]

Worn out freewheel and loose spokes are making very different noise, in very different situations. I just can’t see how they can be confused.

It is very uncommon for a freewheel to make a sound you could describe as squeaky. But it is easy to eliminate that as a possible cause by squirting some chain lube into the gap between the fixed and rotating parts of the freewheel.

 

[Japtastic]

Thanks chaps, really hard to pin point it. Will try the above suggestions and report back

 

[markz]

Pro's carry around a spoke tool in their pocket, just saying

I let a bearing go on my hub motor longer then I should have last year. Easy to check if its the bearing, or freewheel.

 

[furcifer]

My BBSHD makes contact at two points with the frame; the stator housing touches the downtube and the reduction gear housing touches the chain stay. When the BB gets loose it squeaks a lot. Even with it tight, the BBSHD flexes the frame and it will squeak. Put a pedal arm at 1 o'clock, hold the brakes, and put some weight on the chain (don't break it, but give it some torque) If it squeaks your BB is probably loose.

Aluminum rubbing on aluminum squeaks, a chain tends to groan, steel on steel tends to grind. I don't know if that helps you or not.

 

[Japtastic]

Thanks, all great help. Will check in the next couple of days. Will post a couple of pics of the setup.