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Josh Patterson

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
In January of 2022, Stan's Notubes unveiled its new M-Pulse hub, built in the US by Project321. These hubs use a magnetically-actuated, six-pawl ratchet drive system with 216 points / 1.66° degrees of engagement.

One of the first questions readers had about the new M-Pulse hubs was "How do they sound?"

You asked, Stan's listed. The company rounded up other popular hubs and recorded what the M-pulse hubs sound like compared to other hubs.

Here's what Stan's did to make sure the audio was as accurate as possible:
  • All audio was captured at the same fixed level with a direction mic placed 2.5-inch from the non-drive side of the hub
  • This is raw audio, meaning that no adjustments have been made
  • Stan's recorded on the same frame with the rear brake removed to eliminate any potential brake drag noise and kept the bike in the same gear for each recording
  • Note that tires and rims are a variable here, and the last service varies from hub to hub
  • Because hub sound changes depending on rotation speed, they recorded the first four and last four seconds of the rotation
Now, onto the sound bites...


Don't see your hub here? Send an email to thelove@notubes.com, and they'll see what they can do about it.
 
@drdre: I was attracted to the P321 but I'm not sold on lubrication as a means to shut a hub up. It's never lasted for me in the past, and there are reports of the quiet 321 leaking its oil bath. I guess they've redesigned the seal? Anyway, I'm just not ready to pony up the big bucks for another high end hub unless I'm guaranteed near silence. Once you get used to silence, it's hard to go back. My onyx classic has never been serviced. I've been riding it since 2016 as my main hub. Still quieter and smoother than any hub I've tired. Too bad it weighs exactly one metric shi! ton
 
@drdre: I was attracted to the P321 but I'm not sold on lubrication as a means to shut a hub up. It's never lasted for me in the past, and there are reports of the quiet 321 leaking its oil bath. I guess they've redesigned the seal? Anyway, I'm just not ready to pony up the big bucks for another high end hub unless I'm guaranteed near silence. Once you get used to silence, it's hard to go back. My onyx classic has never been serviced. I've been riding it since 2016 as my main hub. Still quieter and smoother than any hub I've tired. Too bad it weighs exactly one metric shi! ton
It is indeed a pile of $ for either options but I think p321 service is really good (as onyx) so once you spend it, you probably wont be disappointed.

I agree - the undiluted sound of rubber moving quickly on dirt and rocks is glorious.

Of note, I dont think its lubrication making all the difference. Their site Boost Rear Hub - Project 321 notes the pawls are different and unavailable.
 
I run Carbon Ti hubs because they are super lightweight and very reliable but I have to say I'm terms of sound I think the basic HOPE PRO 4 has the best sound of all..it has a real cool character to it...the others just sound like fishing reels and annoying. Otherwise I prefer the sound of a silent Onyx...silence....but those hubs are heavy and unreliable as hell....ask me how I know.
 
350 sounds like a P-51 Mustang coming in hot. Mine definitely don't sound like that.

I9 sounds like a kitten caught in a stump grinder.

M-Pulse itself sounds absolutely obnoxious.

I don't have the foggiest idea why anyone likes loud hubs. As mentioned earlier, the sound of tires on dirt especially when cornering is where it's at. My 350s with Lucas Red 'N Tacky or marine grease gets pretty close to silent. The 321 quiet pawls seems nice too. I ride to escape and enjoy the quiet, the last thing I want is a tin can full of furious bees following me everywhere.
 
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