<For Road Cyclists> The Sound of Your Tires?

Question

When you are sprinting down perfect road (which is rare since there are pebbles and debris all over the roads where I live, and I got another nasty scrape on my rear tire today) my tires on my bike make this sound in unison with the power applied to my pedals. So it basically sounds like the tires are burning softly into the ground with every revolution of the pedal. I cant describe the sound. The best way I can describe it (although it might be vague still) is that it sounds like how your muscles contract when you are weight lifting and doing high reps. You almost hear the blood flowing through your muscles as you force out reps.

The sound from my tires isnt continuous. Rather you hear it with every revolution in segments. Maybe its a sign that I'm not applying power more fluidly on my pedals. But I can hear the power being applied and then going to the ground through my tires. It sounds like...."Whishhhh, Whissshhhh, Whiissshhhh, Whiissshhhh," really fast. The only time I heard a distinct sound coming from another riders bike was when someone was right behind me and speeding up, I heard what sounded like his wheels spinning and whirling (and I thought that was really cool). Can you explain this sound? This is one of the best sounds while cycling, atleast for me. Cant really hear much from other riders unless they are right behind me or going by me really fast.

Answer 1

Mashing

I try not to mash

When I do mash, I have other things to think about than wheel noise

Answer 2

I know what you mean.  

Are your tires pumped to the maximum recommended inflation?  If I let my tires go 15 lbs under max, I hear the same sound.  My riding partners notice it too.  I think it has to do with sidewall deflection.  For ride comfort, low rolling resistance, and tire life -- try to remember to check inflation before each ride.

Another factor I have experienced is ambient temperature.  I ride on Continental Grand Prix 4000S tires on one bike and they Whiissshhh like mad when it is hot (90&#039;s F) but my Bontrager Race x*x Lites (on bike 2) are silent in the same weather.

Answer 3

1st I think you are right, not pedaling smoothly.

Second, I hear this same sound when I ride out of the saddle, when wagging my bike side to side - the mashing, weighting and unweighting the tires cause this in my case.

Try keeping your tires pumped up and pedal smoothly.  

Answer 4

Possibly your brakes rubbing against your tires?

This would occur if your rims are bent slightly