New wheels - cassette wobble and knocking noise at high revolutions

[moo]

I just bought a set of RS81 C24 wheels and installed a 10 speed Ultegra cassette, I've used both the 1.85mm spacer and the spacer provided with the cassette. The lock is fully tightened (any more and the threads will rip).

There is a small amount of play when rocking the cassette from side to side. No more than a fraction of a mm. Spinning the wheel at high speed you can see the cassette wobble a bit. More worrying is the knocking noise during high revolutions, maybe once every 2 seconds.

Is this a defective freehub or is there something I can do to fix?

 

[arch684]

I think you only need the 1.85 spacer for ten speed cassette

 

[moo]

The manual states I should use both. It's a bit worse with just the 1.85 spacer, which leads me to think maybe it needs a bit more.

I've narrowed the knocking sound down to when the wheel starts to slow and the wobble presents itself. My guess would be it's the cassette banging into the freehub body momentarily.

 

[uclown2002]

I think you only need the 1.85 spacer for ten speed cassette

Shimano 10 speed cassettes come with a 1mm spacer, to be used on a 10 speed hub; it is also required with the 1,85mm spacer on a 11 speed hub.
However, someone will be along soon to tell us they don't use the spacer.

http://www.cycletechuk.com/2013/12/shimano-8-9-10-speed-cassette.html
http://www.slowtwitch.com/Tech/Cassette_Spacers_2013_3978.html

 

[User6179]

Not all 10 speed Shimano cassettes are the same thickness , just put on the amount of spacers you need for the cassette to sit past the freehub so you catch the cassette when tightening it up .

 

[moo]

I found a spare 1.8mm spacer and replaced the 1mm provided. It's on the limit but allows the lock to bite on the cassette. This has removed all wobble - hurrah. Might need to source a smaller spacer for better shifting.

However, I am still hearing a knocking noise when the wheel slows down from high revolutions. I've tried on a couple of bikes to rule out other gremlins. It's definitely coming from the hub.

 

[accountantpete]

Take the cassette off and wiggle the freehub to see if there is any play.

If so there is usually a big hex nut inside the freehub that needs tightening up.

 

[bpsmith]

Either that or the bearing tension collar is too loose.

 

[Cyclist33]

Send them back.

 

[moo]

The cassette wobble never actually went away, I was simply looking from the front instead of rear.

I've removed the cassette and the freehub does indeed have a tiny amount of play (fraction of a mm). I've got a few other wheels and even the cheap Novetec hub is rock solid.

Considering the rear wheel is also fractionally out of true I've contacted the supplier for warranty replacement.