Bike Buzzing Sound on Descents

Equipment
1

I intermittently hear a really loud buzzing sound on my road bike (with rim brakes) when I go downhill. I think the sound is coming from the front but it’s been really hard to diagnose because it doesn’t happen every time I go downhill.

I have a carbon road bike with Ultegra components. A bike mechanic thought it was a loose headset/hubs. That didn’t fix it so I swapped the front wheel (Mavic Ksyrium to Aksium) thinking it was caused by broken hubs. But swapping the wheels didn’t fix the problem. (Maybe both wheels are broken?)

Also, I’ve noticed this issue happening more on rougher roads but it did happen in smooth roads as well. The last time I experienced it, it started happening right after I hit a small pothole on a descent.

Would love to know your guys’ thoughts.

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone that replied! It seems that the sound is actually coming from the rear wheel (not the front) as I’ve just recently read about the ‘Mavic death squeal’ and this video replicates that sound that I was hearing.

I have ordered a conversion kit from HubDoctor on eBay but for the meantime I might add a dab of mineral oil to the free hub and bushing.

2

Pick the front of the bike up a bit, while leaving the rear wheel in contact with the ground. Drop the bike. Does it rattle?

3

Does your bike have interval cabling? Just wondering if that could be the issue… the cable vibrating internally.

4

Easy fixes would be the aforementioned internal cabling rattling or your valve stems rattling inside the rim which can be an issue

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5

Thanks to everyone that replied! It seems that the sound is actually coming from the rear wheel (not the front) as I’ve just recently read about the ‘Mavic death squeal’ and this video replicates that sound that I was hearing.

I have ordered a conversion kit from HubDoctor on eBay but for the meantime I might add a dab of mineral oil to the free hub and bushing.

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