Lunchtime Ride = Stinky pits and an odd squeek!

[Wigsie]

Frustrated with the icy early morning weather (had the car sideways this morning, so glad that i didnt ride) and busy weekends I have decided to start alternating swimming and short riding days in my lunchtimes (usually just swim).

I have just done 11.9 miles in a respectable (for me) 32 minutes, and short of forgetting my B.O. Basher and having rather stinky pits now it was great fun.

I have now developed an odd sweek in the front wheel, its not the break as i loosened them off and rode around with no front brakes it sounds more like a metal - metal rubb at a particular point on every wheel revolution, although having got back into the office and turned the bike upside down spinning the front wheel does not make the same noise.

I am due for a first service with the bike in 3 weeks and I cant really get to the 'not so local' LBS beforehand. I was wondering if anyone had any idea's or tips to try and self diagnose so I can fix and ride with confidence that I am not damaging my prized possession in the next 3 weeks.

Cheers in advance.

 

[Arch]

The first thing that comes to my mind is that it's a pair of spokes pinging together - might explain why you only get it with weight on the bike.

Try going round all the spokes, squeezing them together in pairs between thumb and fingers, it might just release the tension a bit... Also, you might notice if a particular pair seem to be under greater tension. Truing up the tension is maybe a job left to a shop, depending on your confidence - you can probably do it, but it needs either a lot of patience, or a lot of experience (or both).

 

[Wigsie]

They dont touch where the spokes cross, however there is one pair that' gap is a little closer together at that point than the rest, although they dont feel significantly tighter than the others they are about 1mm apart wheras the others are more like 2.3mm apart at the point of crossing. would they give that much to rub under pressure then?

I am presuming this should not do too much damage if i carry on riding untill i can get over to the bike shop?

 

[MacB]

Wigsie, as you've mentioned you're a big guy and you like to give it some welly, I'd say getting it checked sooner is best. You really don't want to ping a spoke and end up with a damaged wheel.

 

[Wigsie]

Bowlacks! cheers, I thought you may say that Bludger....

Right, valentines is cancelled LBS trip now scheduled for tomorrow (in my dreams!)

 

[MacB]

Bowlacks! cheers, I thought you may say that Bludger....

Right, valentines is cancelled LBS trip now scheduled for tomorrow (in my dreams!)

the annoying bit is that a lot of folks on here consider something like that as general maintenance on a bike. I'm still far too scared to go near the spokes and would need to run to my LBS as well. We'll learn.........

 

[Arch]

the annoying bit is that a lot of folks on here consider something like that as general maintenance on a bike. I'm still far too scared to go near the spokes and would need to run to my LBS as well. We'll learn.........

My idea that it was the spokes was based on guesswork, not on any superior regime of maintenance, I can assure you! I know all about what ought to be done, but my own bikes sob for want of a decent wash even!

Anyway, there's diagnosing, and there's having the experience/confidence/tools to do a job. I learn all I know from being around people who do know what to do, and being shown jobs as and when necessary.

The best way to learn is to have access to a bike to practice on, and that doesn't matter if you muck it up. Getting hold of an old wheel and tweaking it, or dismantling it is a good way to learn.

 

[MacB]

good points, Wigsie, I found a local guy that works from home and so all work is done with me present, helping I'd still go the route of practicing on an old bike but I've certainly tackled things with his supervision I wouldn't have gone near on my own.

 

[Wigsie]

I am usually pretty practical and do plan on doing most of my own stuff eventually, but advice on here helps as I didnt even think about the spokes! The bike is still new really, so while I can take advantage of a free service/tweaking session at the not so LBS I will.

Its a bit like my old cars though, I may not have had the skill or confidence to fix bigger issues myself, but I liked to know whats wrong before I took it to see a mechanic.

 

[Arch]

I am usually pretty practical and do plan on doing most of my own stuff eventually, but advice on here helps as I didnt even think about the spokes! The bike is still new really, so while I can take advantage of a free service/tweaking session at the not so LBS I will.

Ah! yes, spokes can take a while to settle in, and a tweak after they've been used a bit is worth while.

If I turn out to have been right, please do come back and say so. If not, keep it quiet...

 

[Wigsie]

Ah! yes, spokes can take a while to settle in, and a tweak after they've been used a bit is worth while.

If I turn out to have been right, please do come back and say so. If not, keep it quiet...

I shall be holding you personally responsible if this is not the case!

or praising you as a legend if it is! ha ha

 

[Ravenz]

.. reminds of a fella who could play 'when the saints come marching in' on spokes but then again the wheel was 6" out of true