New bike - first issue...

[the_craig]

So I've had my bike for a month and I'm loving huffing and puffing my way up and down the local country roads. I bought my bike from Evans so I've booked it in for it's 6 week check which is in 2 weeks time.

Now on my past couple rides, I've heard a rubbing noise from the rear wheel, which I thought was my waterproof rubbing on the wheel, as it was tied around my waist. But it persisted today despite it being a scorcher and me having nothing around my waist. Turns out my wheel is 'wobbling' and rubbing off a brake pad, which is now wearing at a faster rate.

I'm wondering if there are any simple things I'm missing before I phone up to complain and create a stooshie?

Cheers!

 

[Milkfloat]

Is the wheel straight and true or is the whole wheel wobbly when you wiggle it when stationary?

 

[ianrauk]

or are the brakes not set up properly?

 

[the_craig]

Is the wheel straight and true or is the whole wheel wobbly when you wiggle it when stationary?

You can't wiggle it when you shake it - but when it's rolling you can see the wheel moving from side to side.

or are the brakes not set up properly?

I do think the issue is the wheel as I mentioned above. But how would I check the brakes are set up.

I have had the wheel off and back on to check it's not been put back on properly. I took the tyre and tubing out too and it is definitely the wheel that wobbles.

 

[Racing roadkill]

I'd say the cones have loosened up. A quick nip up with some cone spanners should do it.

 

[Tim Hall]

I'd say the cones have loosened up. A quick nip up with some cone spanners should do it.

But the OP says "you can't wiggle it when you shake it", which suggests the cones are just fine. And then he says "when it's rolling you can see the wheel moving from side to side", which could be because it's out of true.

@the_craig , are all the spokes evenly tensioned? Have you broken any? If you spin the wheel slowly, can you tell if the "wobble" is at the same place on the rim each time?

 

[Racing roadkill]

But the OP says "you can't wiggle it when you shake it", which suggests the cones are just fine. And then he says "when it's rolling you can see the wheel moving from side to side", which could be because it's out of true.

@the_craig , are all the spokes evenly tensioned? Have you broken any? If you spin the wheel slowly, can you tell if the "wobble" is at the same place on the rim each time?

True, but if the wheel was out of true, you could see it by spinning the wheel without riding, unless that is what the O.P. meant. I took it to mean it only wobbles when being ridden (ie with weight on the bike), in which case uneven spoke tension, could be the issue.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Out of true wheel. Quite common that the rear on a new bike will need a re-tension after a while, should be a free service job.

 

[the_craig]

Thanks guys.

I can't say I feel any wobble when I'm riding but I can see it when I've got the bike upside down.

I haven't lost any spokes either and none are broken - but there is one or two that seem at bit loose. Could that be the problem?

 

[Smokin Joe]

I haven't lost any spokes either and none are broken - but there is one or two that seem at bit loose. Could that be the problem?

Yes.

Assuming you haven't yet trued a wheel and the bike is only a month old let the shop sort it.

 

[vickster]

The 6 week service is just a guide, try to take it in sooner to get it looked at

 

[Racing roadkill]

Thanks guys.

I can't say I feel any wobble when I'm riding but I can see it when I've got the bike upside down.

I haven't lost any spokes either and none are broken - but there is one or two that seem at bit loose. Could that be the problem?

Yep, that sounds about right. The wheel is out of true, so if you use a point of reference (I use the little thing on my forks, that I use for the cycle computer) spin the wheel, and tighten the spokes at the point and on the side, where the wheel moves away from the reference, that should bring it back into true. If in doubt, just give it to the LBS, and ask them to true it on a rig, not a big job, should be FOC, or not much money.

 

[the_craig]

Yes.

Assuming you haven't yet trued a wheel and the bike is only a month old let the shop sort it.

Trued a wheel?!

Never even heard of it. Lol

I think I'll give them a phone tomorrow and get it done sooner.

I'm assuming it will be unsafe to ride in the meantime?

 

[vickster]

Riding it won't do it much good. Best to avoid needing a new wheel it should be a quick job for them, I had a slightly untrue wheel sorted last week at my LBS, took less than an hour and cost me a tenner I should think Evans will sort as part of the free check

Keep an eye on it though, what bike is it and how much do you weigh?

 

[raleighnut]

Factory built (mass produced) wheels can very often go out of true, its due to the way they are slapped together assembled on a machine. Should be sorted at the 1st service (for free) but make sure you mention it and even go as far as taping a note that reads "rear wheel out of true" to the handlebars (but I'd still check that they'd fixed it when you pick up the bike DAMHIKT)