Mountain Bikes · Public discussion

wheel trouble!

Oddity · 2003-09-15T17:03:06+00:00

Hi, Bit of a newbie problem here A few weeks ago got myself a new bike, went out on it and afterwards noticed the back wheel seemed to be slightly out of true, it was rubbing against the brake pad. When I was cleaning it up I noticed at least three spokes were very loose, so much so that I could tighten them by hand. Fortunately I've got a spoke key, so the problem was easily sorted. Is this a common occurence or is it worth complaining to the shop? The rims are Mavic X139 if that's any use! Another small concern is that there's a noticeable click when I put any force on the pedals, just for the first few rotations then it's fine, thought at first it was the front forks but I've given them a good bouncing and there's no sounds there so I'm guessing it's the bottom bracket/crank. Thanks for any advice! Steve

Started by Oddity · 15 September 2003 · Last activity 17 September 2003 · 11 posts · 852 views

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01 / Original postwheel trouble!Oddity · 15 Sep 2003 02 / This pagePosts 1–11Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #11Gooch · 17 Sep 2003

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Original section: Mountain Bikes
Published: 15 September 2003
Last activity: 17 September 2003
Original author: Oddity
Posts: 11
Discussion status: Public discussion
Total views: 852
Views / 30 days: 0
Topics: Front derailleurs Spoke count Bottom brackets Brake pads

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Original post
Oddity
Archived post

15 September 2003, 17:03 UTC #1

Hi,
Bit of a newbie problem here
A few weeks ago got myself a new bike, went out on it and afterwards noticed the back wheel seemed
to be slightly out of true, it was rubbing against the brake pad. When I was cleaning it up I
noticed at least three spokes were very loose, so much so that I could tighten them by hand.
Fortunately I've got a spoke key, so the problem was easily sorted. Is this a common occurence or is
it worth complaining to the shop? The rims are Mavic X139 if that's any use!
Another small concern is that there's a noticeable click when I put any force on the pedals, just
for the first few rotations then it's fine, thought at first it was the front forks but I've given
them a good bouncing and there's no sounds there so I'm guessing it's the bottom bracket/crank.
Thanks for any advice!
Steve

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Stephen Baker
Archived post

15 September 2003, 17:03 UTC #2

Steve, Shouldn't you have a sig attached, something along the lines of "To reply, take off my
trousies?" Just a thought....
Steve "another one"

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ireman_1
Archived post

16 September 2003, 00:04 UTC #3

You should expect the shop to tighten up the wheels after a several miles on them, post purchase that is. If you took care of it then I would not bother with saying anything to the shop. Newly built wheels should be "re-trued" after your first ride.
The clicking noise could be from bottom bracket flex or crank flex if it only occurs during the first rotation or three when you are getting going or mashing up a hill (?). It is likely your chain brushing up against your front derailleur when you torque your cranks. Look down when you are cranking hard and notice if this could be it. It could just be that the front derailleur needs to be set out half a millimeter or so. This is done easily with the limit set screws on the top (or side) of the derailleur. You would want to turn the screw with the "H" below it. A quarter turn makes a big difference with them, so if they do need adjustment be careful. Hopefully there is some useful information here and I didn't just waste your time. Take care and have fun riding.
K.

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Sdc
Archived post

16 September 2003, 04:04 UTC #4

"Oddity" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Hi,
Bit of a newbie problem here
A few weeks ago got myself a new bike, went out on it and afterwards

noticed
Quoted message said:
the back wheel seemed to be slightly out of true, it was rubbing against

the
Quoted message said:
brake pad. When I was cleaning it up I noticed at least three spokes were very loose, so much so
that I could tighten them by hand. Fortunately I've got a spoke key, so the problem was easily
sorted. Is this a common occurence or is it worth complaining to the shop? The

rims
Quoted message said:
are Mavic X139 if that's any use!
You probably have machine-built wheels and its normal with a new wheel..
SDC

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Oddity
Archived post

16 September 2003, 04:05 UTC #5

Indeed I should, well spotted. Been a while since I've used ng's!
Steve
--
remove 'MY TROUSERS' to reply.
--
"Stephen Baker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Steve, Shouldn't you have a sig attached, something along the lines of "To reply,

take
Quoted message said:
off my trousies?" Just a thought....
Steve "another one"

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Matthew Paterso
Archived post

16 September 2003, 04:05 UTC #6

Stephen Baker said:
Steve, Shouldn't you have a sig attached, something along the lines of "To reply, take off my
trousies?" Just a thought....
Steve "another one"
Terrible. What if this guy really needs help, and he is confronted with this. He then begins a
downward spiral into depression, losing his friends, family, g/f b/f along the way and becomes a
recluse unbeknown to the world and.. oh I see what youre doing 🙂
--
Matt
Fear of a flat planet

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Michael Dart
Archived post

16 September 2003, 04:34 UTC #7

"SDC" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:

"Oddity" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Hi,
Bit of a newbie problem here
A few weeks ago got myself a new bike, went out on it and afterwards

noticed
Quoted message said:
the back wheel seemed to be slightly out of true, it was rubbing against

the
Quoted message said:
brake pad. When I was cleaning it up I noticed at least three spokes were very

loose,
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
so much so that I could tighten them by hand. Fortunately I've got a

spoke
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
key, so the problem was easily sorted. Is this a common occurence or is it worth complaining to
the shop? The

rims
Quoted message said:
are Mavic X139 if that's any use!
You probably have machine-built wheels and its normal with a new wheel..
SDC
Normal yes, desirable no. Get it properly tensioned, stress relieved and trued.
Mike

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its_stuart
Archived post

16 September 2003, 07:21 UTC #8

Oddi, I had the clicking/ creaking noise comming from my bottom-bracket and I found that tightening the cranks helped alot 🙂

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Bomba
Archived post

16 September 2003, 09:02 UTC #9

Oddity said:
Another small concern is that there's a noticeable click when I put any force on the pedals, just
for the first few rotations then it's fine, thought at first it was the front forks but I've given
them a good bouncing and there's no sounds there so I'm guessing it's the bottom bracket/crank.
Make sure it's not the tips of your shoelaces hitting the cranks.
--
a.m-b FAQ: t-online.deambfaq.htm
b.bmx FAQ: t-online.debmx faq.htm

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Philthy
Archived post

16 September 2003, 10:32 UTC #10

"Oddity" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Hi,
Bit of a newbie problem here
Quoted message said:
A few weeks ago got myself a new bike, went out on it and afterwards

noticed
Quoted message said:
the back wheel seemed to be slightly out of true, it was rubbing against

the
Quoted message said:
brake pad. When I was cleaning it up I noticed at least three spokes were very loose, so much so
that I could tighten them by hand. Fortunately I've got a spoke key, so the problem was easily
sorted. Is this a common occurence or is it worth complaining to the shop? The

rims
Quoted message said:
are Mavic X139 if that's any use!
You can get the shop to re-true them for you if they've got anyone working for them who can do it
well, depends on the shop. Or you can learn to do it youself, which is always a good option. There's
some excellent info at sheldonbrown.comwheelbuild.html
Quoted message said:
Another small concern is that there's a noticeable click when I put any force on the pedals, just
for the first few rotations then it's fine, thought at first it was the front forks but I've given
them a good

bouncing
Quoted message said:
and there's no sounds there so I'm guessing it's the bottom bracket/crank.
Try tightening you're crank bolts, if it's not that then the bottom bracket itself could be loose,
which depending on type you may need a special tool to tighten.
Of course if your bike shop has a free 3 month service policy as some do, then consider getting it
done early and tell them you're concerns and make sure they fix or explain them.
Also buy yourself a good cycle maintainence book I personally like Zinn and the art of Mountain
Bike maintenance ISBN: 1884737994 ,which if you're in the UK is a bit harder to come by, but
worth the wait.
Quoted message said:
Thanks for any advice!
Quoted message said:
Steve

No bother Philthy My latest build! pinkbike.comphoto

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Gooch
Archived post

17 September 2003, 00:25 UTC #11

take it back.. I just bought a new bike and the shop aligned and checked everthing, then trued the
wheels before I was given the bike.. Anytime after 30days I can take it back for a free tune-up..
check which the shop you bought it from. "Michael Dart" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:

"SDC" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:

"Oddity" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Hi,
Bit of a newbie problem here
A few weeks ago got myself a new bike, went out on it and afterwards

noticed
Quoted message said:
the back wheel seemed to be slightly out of true, it was rubbing

against
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
the
Quoted message said:
brake pad. When I was cleaning it up I noticed at least three spokes were very

loose,
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
so much so that I could tighten them by hand. Fortunately I've got a

spoke
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
key, so the problem was easily sorted. Is this a common occurence or is it worth complaining
to the shop? The

rims
Quoted message said:
are Mavic X139 if that's any use!
You probably have machine-built wheels and its normal with a new wheel..
SDC
Normal yes, desirable no. Get it properly tensioned, stress relieved and trued.
Mike

Report

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