Noisy back wheel



bcsst26

New Member
Apr 8, 2004
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I have a noisy back wheel. I like to keep my bike quit as possible. It sounds like somthing is loose in it. I was wandering what it was. I took the tire off and couldn't find anything in the rim. Is it a bearing or something else. Any suggestions?
 
Originally posted by bcsst26
I have a noisy back wheel. I like to keep my bike quit as possible. It sounds like somthing is loose in it. I was wandering what it was. I took the tire off and couldn't find anything in the rim. Is it a bearing or something else. Any suggestions?

From Chain Reactions website:
"Wheels. We had a customer recently who was absolutely, positively certain that the creaking noises he was getting were from his bottom bracket (especially since he'd had some trouble there before). Turned out it was from his front quick release skewer! Took awhile to isolate it, but sure enough, that was the source of the noise...it just had to be reinstalled a bit tighter and the noise went away! We had another customer who'd been complaining about noises on her bike for some time, and we just couldn't run them down, even after pretty much tearing her bike apart and reassembling it. And then, on one of my Tuesday/Thursday rides up King's Mountain Road, I just happened to catch up to her riding up the hill and, thankfully, the noise was there, quite audibly so, and it was quickly apparent it was from the spokes in the rear wheel. They were "unloading" as they approached the ground as they rotated, and then regained tension as they moved away. We added just a bit more tension and all seems to be fine now (and Laura, if you're reading this and hearing noises again, please let me know!).

Spoke reflectors can be another cause of wheel noise, especially if it comes and goes as you go through corners. Make sure the reflector is solidly wedged into the spokes (which usually requires sliding it up towards the rim as far as it will go). "
Mike makes a very important statement there as well:
" The first thing you have to do is realize that there may be multiple noise sources, and if you bring in your bike to have a mechanic check it out, don't get too annoyed when he/she starts finding various things that you're positively sure are not the noises you were hearing. You've gotta take things one step at a time and rule out everything you can."
See his fine article at:
http://www.chainreaction.com/noises.htm
Park Tool also has an article that covers noise issues:
http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/creaking_and_squeaking.shtml

Park addresses wheels in this article.
My experiences with noises that actually come from the wheel are loose/broken spokes, "junk" that is inside the rim, a loose rim joint splice, hub issues, freehub issues, etc.
I agree with wanting a quiet bicycle. I ride using all my senses. If I detect a "new" noise I want to track down and eliminate it.
 
One more possibility - alloy nipples can get a little corroded and will make a creaking noise as the spokes load and unload - fix is to keep the threads lubed, may have to remove rim tape and lube from the inside. Mine are really embarassing when that happens, sounds like I'm riding a K-mart bike.
 
Are these Mavic rims by any chance? They are NOTORIOUS for creaking where something in it (a casting or something?) has broken off inside. Supposedly the fix is some superglue in the right spot. I've had two friends' wheels do this, and the LBS's around here all say it's common.
 
They are Alexrims. I am not sure if this is enough info. I am pretty new to the road bike. Do bearings usually go alot? I have about 1000 miles on this bike so I wouldn't think it would be the bearings yet. If I turn the bike upside down and have no weight on the wheel then turn it it makes the noise. If it is the bearings anyone know how much it usually costs to replace them? Thanks for all the help. This site has helped me out greatly.
 
Originally posted by bcsst26
They are Alexrims. I am not sure if this is enough info. I am pretty new to the road bike. Do bearings usually go alot? I have about 1000 miles on this bike so I wouldn't think it would be the bearings yet. If I turn the bike upside down and have no weight on the wheel then turn it it makes the noise. If it is the bearings anyone know how much it usually costs to replace them? Thanks for all the help. This site has helped me out greatly.

Bearings are cheap and if that is what it is, should be replaced or repacked before further damage.
However, 1000 miles isn't likely to be sufficient to wear them out.
If they weren't properly adjusted and/or lubricated at the start this could be the problem.
Could you describe the noise?
What you feel in concert with the noise?
Does it happen when pedaling, when "freewheeling"?
Can you make noise by just shaking the wheel?
Have you plucked all the spokes?
Can you see anything rubbing?
 
i have had a noise in my back wheel before, and the problem turned out to be the valve rattling inside its little hole. The way i fixed this was simply to centre it in the hole so that it couldnt touch the edges without some degree of force. If that doesnt work maybe take it out and wrap a few layers of teflon tape around the stem so that it deadens the vibrations (ie. if this turns out to be the problem) Hope that helps.
 
Originally posted by daveornee
Spoke reflectors can be another cause of wheel noise, especially if it comes and goes as you go through corners. Make sure the reflector is solidly wedged into the spokes (which usually requires sliding it up towards the rim as far as it will go). "

Anyone here have spoke reflectors on their bike?
 
Originally posted by jstraw
Anyone here have spoke reflectors on their bike?

No. They interfere with the automatic shifting function on my Autobike.