General Discussion Triathlon Talk » FLO wheels are noisy Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2014-10-20 7:34 PM

User image

Pro
6582
50001000500252525
Melbourne FL
Gold member
Subject: FLO wheels are noisy

Rode the set of FLO's I picked up on eBay for my race this past weekend. I didn't get a chance to ride them outside before the race as the bike was in the shop getting a tune and pesky rear bottom TRP brake cable replaced.  Any way, first thing I noticed about these wheels is that they're noisy, a constant drone sound and on rough/chip seal roads were louder.  I wonder is this unique to the FLO's are just something that all Al rimmed w/fairing wheels exhibit (e.g. HED)?

Other than that can't complain, had a decent bike split given limited amount of riding. 



2014-10-20 8:13 PM
in reply to: Donto

User image

Expert
1644
100050010025
Oklahoma
Subject: RE: FLO wheels are noisy
I have a set of Flo 60's and I don't notice them being anymore noisy then my other wheels.
2014-10-20 8:17 PM
in reply to: Donto

User image

Veteran
2297
2000100100252525
Great White North
Subject: RE: FLO wheels are noisy
Had a 60/90 combo and now run flo 60/404fc and yes that sound in the norm.
2014-10-20 8:41 PM
in reply to: simpsonbo

User image

Pro
6520
50001000500
Bellingham, WA
Subject: RE: FLO wheels are noisy

I don't know about the 60/90's but my Flo disc is really, really noisy.  Every time I go over even the smallest bump it sounds like someone banging two garbage can lids together.

2014-10-21 1:26 AM
in reply to: Donto

User image

Regular
606
500100
Portland, Oregon
Subject: RE: FLO wheels are noisy
I have the 60/90 set. It sounds like a droning, whilrly hum. That is normal.

Other sounds could be a bad sign.
2014-10-21 6:22 AM
in reply to: EKH

User image

Expert
1644
100050010025
Oklahoma
Subject: RE: FLO wheels are noisy
Originally posted by EKH

I have a set of Flo 60's and I don't notice them being anymore noisy then my other wheels.


I guess my wife is right when she tells me all the time that I'm deaf because I really don't notice any extra noise with them.


2014-10-21 7:17 AM
in reply to: EKH

User image

Extreme Veteran
645
50010025
Media, PA
Subject: RE: FLO wheels are noisy
Don't have FLOs, but my Boyd rims (all carbon, 60/90) are pretty loud also. I think it's the acoustics of both the carbon and the deep section rim, they just have that sound. I don't find it objectionable, just different, and kind of miss it with box rims...
2014-10-21 8:25 AM
in reply to: Donto

User image

Elite
7783
50002000500100100252525
PEI, Canada
Subject: RE: FLO wheels are noisy

When I first got mine, my first impression was that they were very loud.  I don't notice it anymore.

2014-10-21 8:28 AM
in reply to: Donto

User image

Expert
2192
2000100252525
Greenville, SC
Subject: RE: FLO wheels are noisy

i like the drone, people can definitely hear you coming up from behind

2014-10-21 11:24 AM
in reply to: Donto

User image

Elite
3088
20001000252525
Austin, TX
Gold member
Subject: RE: FLO wheels are noisy
As others said, it's pretty normal. You've basically got a big sounding board.
2014-10-21 11:45 AM
in reply to: axteraa

User image

Pro
6582
50001000500252525
Melbourne FL
Gold member
Subject: RE: FLO wheels are noisy

Originally posted by axteraa

When I first got mine, my first impression was that they were very loud.  I don't notice it anymore.

What I realized is that I could not hear the cars coming up behind me like I use to.  Before with the aero helmet on the wind noise was minimal compared to a standard road helmet and I could pick up cars behind me better (signal to noise ratio) with the quieter Al fairing wheels.  The noise the FLO wheels made right under my head took that way.  I guess I simply need to get use to it.



2014-10-21 1:59 PM
in reply to: axteraa

User image

New user
67
2525
Hollywood, FL
Subject: RE: FLO wheels are noisy
Originally posted by axteraa

When I first got mine, my first impression was that they were very loud.  I don't notice it anymore.




Same here, I can hardly notice it now.
2014-10-21 5:24 PM
in reply to: Donto

User image

Regular
606
500100
Portland, Oregon
Subject: RE: FLO wheels are noisy
How often are you riding in the midst of cars with a pointy helmet and race wheels? I ride the Flo's plenty in training, but the aero helmet only comes out during a race.

I've never had an issue hearing another racer pass me, but being a terrible swimmer, I rarely get passed on the bike anyway. The one big exception was when a kid blew by me doing another event with a disc. I heard him with plenty of fore-warning!
2014-10-21 6:54 PM
in reply to: 0

User image

Pro
6582
50001000500252525
Melbourne FL
Gold member
Subject: RE: FLO wheels are noisy

Originally posted by dfroelich How often are you riding in the midst of cars with a pointy helmet and race wheels? I ride the Flo's plenty in training, but the aero helmet only comes out during a race. I've never had an issue hearing another racer pass me, but being a terrible swimmer, I rarely get passed on the bike anyway. The one big exception was when a kid blew by me doing another event with a disc. I heard him with plenty of fore-warning!
Ditto on the highlighted! 

On the 1st part, I'm only speaking in relatives here before (TTR2) and after (FLO). And the big race local race that is up and down A1A here in FL, hearing any car behind you is a big deal. I deal with acoustics for a living and am sensitive to such things as a lot of perception goes into validation of objective measurements. I prefer a quiet world, I even wear ear plugs at concerts at the expense of the fidelity as I need to save as many inner ear hair cells as possible in my over the hill age!

Any way thanks all, know I know my wheels are normal and get to enjoy the wattage saved when the winds are right.



Edited by Donto 2014-10-21 6:56 PM
2014-10-27 10:50 PM
in reply to: Donto

New user
84
252525
Subject: RE: FLO wheels are noisy
Mine flo wheels are noisy also. I think most aero wheels are louder than regular wheels but the Flos are loud even for aero wheels. I don't mind it in a race, I have even had several people they sound cool as I passed them (I am also in the crappy swimmer/ strong biker club).

I seldom use them on training rides, they make trying to talk to people even more of a challenge. I never found them to be safety issue with hearing cars though.
2014-10-30 1:51 PM
in reply to: Donto

User image

Expert
1103
1000100
Plano, TX
Subject: RE: FLO wheels are noisy

I'm still stuck on the part where you said you "...didn't get a chance to ride them outside before the race..."   Talk about something new for race day! 



2014-10-30 5:25 PM
in reply to: davidb

User image

Pro
6582
50001000500252525
Melbourne FL
Gold member
Subject: RE: FLO wheels are noisy

Originally posted by davidb

I'm still stuck on the part where you said you "...didn't get a chance to ride them outside before the race..."   Talk about something new for race day! 

That whole thing is over-exaggerated. They're just wheels, also didn't ride around with my aero-helmet or disc-cover before race day either! After 10 years of doing tri's the main things I follow for that is in regards to nutrition and shoes.

New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » FLO wheels are noisy Rss Feed  
RELATED POSTS

FLO 90 / FLO Disc Combo

Started by orphious
Views: 5248 Posts: 13

2012-08-21 10:03 AM Canadian_Flo

Flo Wheels

Started by EKH
Views: 1059 Posts: 4

2012-03-05 1:19 PM b.will

should I buy flo's or any wheel

Started by deadman
Views: 2436 Posts: 15

2012-02-22 11:37 AM bcagle25

Flo Cycling Wheels Pages: 1 ... 36 37 38 39

Started by Forsey
Views: 40630 Posts: 952

2012-03-01 10:26 PM sand101

noisy hed wheels...

Started by wee scotty
Views: 1100 Posts: 4

2010-09-06 10:38 AM bartturner
RELATED ARTICLES
date : September 13, 2012
author : KarbonSpeed
comments : 2
"These wheels are really fast and we can prove it with our tests from the A2 Wind Tunnel. We developed an ultra-fast modified V-Notch rim shape which keeps drag to an minimum."
 
date : October 27, 2011
author : FitWerx
comments : 1
Hint: It's not a one-person job
date : August 7, 2009
author : Coach AJ
comments : 0
Looking to rent or try-before-you-buy race wheels for your next triathlon? Coach AJ checks out the service at RaceDay Wheels.
 
date : December 15, 2008
author : FitWerx
comments : 0
My back wheel needs to be trued up. It has a slight side-to-side wobble, and I feel at times like I'm going to lose control when I ride. Is this something that I should only trust to my LBS to do?
date : August 5, 2008
author : FitWerx
comments : 0
The wheels are my first area of concern and I have started to shop around. I find it nauseating to think of spending the same amount for wheels as my bike. Any help?
 
date : May 5, 2008
author : TriPainter
comments : 1
I went into the pool area (as this was a pool swim) and got body marked. That's when it hit me that I was there to race - this was not a clinic.
date : November 6, 2007
author : Ron
comments : 2
Don't know how to take that rear wheel off of your bike? Is the chain making things difficult? Learn how to remove your rear wheel if you have to change your bike tire or fix a flat.
 
date : April 13, 2007
author : B-One
comments : 8
This article estimates how much time can be saved in sprint races by converting from stock aero wheels found on most tri bikes to more aero disk and composite spoked wheels.