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OK, got a faint but noticeable "rubbing" sound coming from (I think...) the front wheel.
It's not the brake as the wheel spins fine and I can see no rubbing when the bike is on the stand. Also, the noise continues even when braking, with no change in tone.
The tyre isn't rubbing on anything, and the wheel is straight and true.
The noise occurs whether I'm pedalling or coasting.
I have (after some hassle) had the wheel bearings replaced. Axle is greased.
When the bike is on the stand there is no noise, but once I get my bulk on it and start riding, there's the noise.
I'm pretty sure it's the front wheel although I am aware that bike noises migrate. I have checked the back wheel and no issues with the brake or any signs of rubbing there.
I have checked spoke tension and everything seems fine there, nothing obviously loose or broken.
What else could/should I look at? Wheels are Hunt Trail Wides, fork is Cane Creek Helm Mk2.
Do the cables for either of the derailleurs rub the rear tyre once the bike is loaded and the suspension compressed?
Is there some part of you or your clothing that's dangling, hanging, and drooping down onto the wheels when you ride?
If you are very stylish it may be your wizard-like beard.
Or if you are a superhero it could be your cape.
HTH
It's a hardtail so no suspension compression here!
I don't think it's something rubbing externally. As speed increases so does the noise..
Is there some part of you or your clothing that’s dangling, hanging, and drooping down onto the wheels when you ride?
If you are very stylish it may be your wizard-like beard.
Or your wanger if you are as well hung as most internet forum posters.
Speaking of noisy knobs, check for stones or debris jammed in your tyres.
Could it just be tyre noise?
I had something similar that i decided was sealant in the end.
Tyres still got molding flashes on the side? These can make more noise than you'd expect, especially if there rub on a mud guard. Being small they are easy to discount and hard to spot on a moving wheel.
I've had the tyre sprue noise, sometimes when it doesn't even look to be touching anything. Also, shoelace end brushing the crank, and a dry pedal seal that needed greasing. I appreciate those second two don't match the OP's symptoms (also happens when coasting), but illustrate it can be some weird little thing you might not normally spot.
Can you borrow a front wheel from someone else just for a short test spin? If yes, and the noise stops, you've isolated the cause and can narrow it down - try a different tyre, first with then without a tube, etc.
OP's bike?
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Some closure! I was messaging a mate in Ireland about this and he was as stumped as I was. Then he found this link https://www.roadbikerider.com/finding-fixing-bicycle-ticking-noise/
Reading it through the author traced the problem to a moving valve. I went to my bike, and lo! the valve was a tiny bit loose. I tightened up the lock ring, et voila, no more noise.
Ah - but the “rubbing noise” clue was poor though. Ticking noise is different. Glad you found it. I’d never have looked at the valve (now I know).
Had me foxed.
It’s not the brake as the wheel spins fine
For anyone else reading - I had a front wheel spin just fine but a tiny brush of the rotor against the pad was enough to make a noise.
I went to my bike, and lo! the valve was a tiny bit loose. I tightened up the lock ring, et voila, no more noise.
Well that is good news and good info because I would never have figured that in a million years.
Agree with mudfish - ticking is more important - had exactly the same issue with a loose valve and it was ticking
Yep, been there too, used to appear when the tyre pressure on my road bike dropped a bit. Drove me mad trying to find it.