Thread started by cured1 at 08.10.07 - 9:54 am

last night I noticed my front rim has some play in it. It moves side to side at the brake pads by about 5mm. Is this a spoke issue?

reply

A. is this while you're braking and putting pressure on the rim?

B. or are you looking at the wheel, while it's spinning freely?

A. make sure the rim is seated in the fork or frame evenly, then make sure your brakes are lined up to hit the brakes evenly

B. if you're just spinning the wheel freely, and you notice a wiggle in the rim, that means it has become "untrue"...a quick trip to the bike shop and they should be able to fix it easily...

wheels can become untrue, from a lot of riding, or sometimes rough riding, or worse, falling into a pothole...





adrian
08.10.07 - 10:07 am

reply

the hub could be loose too. it happened on my old bmx all the time.



ruinedbyidiots
08.10.07 - 10:10 am

reply

it's seated in the forks ok. I don't know much about these things yet but my guess was that it's untrue. I noticed it while I was moving it around in my living room. I took a look at it and could move it with my hand from side to side. i also noticed a few of the spokes felt a little loose. Hopefully I'll have some time to take it by a shop before the ride tonight.

Thanks guys!



cured1
08.10.07 - 10:14 am

reply

the ability to move it side to side with your hand is NOT a good thing...

please have it checked!!!





adrian
08.10.07 - 10:18 am

reply

You probably couldnt move the rim back and forth if the spokes are that loose. My bet is that the bearing cones are loose. Spend $15 on some cone wrentches and tighten, or take it to a shop.



Mook
08.10.07 - 12:59 pm

reply

I have cone wrenches so I'll give that a shot then take it to the shop.



cured1
08.10.07 - 2:25 pm

reply

Mook you were right on. the bearing cones were loose.

Thanks for the help guys. I'll now be able to ride tonight.



cured1
08.10.07 - 7:09 pm

reply

If it was as loose as you describe to begin with, this may be a moot point, but the difference between a cup-and-cone hub that is too tight and one that is too loose is about a quarter turn of the cone. Too tight and the bearings will rapidly self destruct. Too loose and the cups will deform. Either way, the cups will be damaged. Once the cups are deformed or scored, you have a shiny paper weight.

Given the cost of a new wheel, it might be cost effective to let your shop have a look before you put more miles on this wheel.





laoxue
08.10.07 - 9:12 pm

reply

no worries. I hope. I didn't do the work. My tools were at my other apartment so I took it down to safety cycles. They took care of it for me.



cured1
08.11.07 - 2:04 am

reply