Spot of play in the front wheel

[Dec66]

I seem to have a spot of play in my front wheel, with QR level as tight as it'll go without the need for a tool to lever it.

It's probably a couple of mills at the rim, either side. Indiscernable when riding, but you can wiggle it slightly with fingers pinched on the tyre.

At what point do I start worrying?

 

[Nibor]

I would get it checked out now if it is a loose ball hub your hub may be shot.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

No need to worry. Merely adjust the cones. What type of hub is it?

 

[Dec66]

No need to worry. Merely adjust the cones. What type of hub is it?

Christ knows. Whatever B'Twin use on their standard wheelset for a Triban 500SE.

I'll have a nibble at it tonight. Noticed it yesterday when I swapped the front brake blocks to the back.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Christ knows. Whatever B'Twin use on their standard wheelset for a Triban 500SE.

I'll have a nibble at it tonight. Noticed it yesterday when I swapped the front brake blocks to the back.

Well, ask him. It is important to know because there are two broad types of hub the the diagnosis and repair is different. We need to know if it is a cup-and-cone hub or a cartridge bearing hub. A photo should suffice.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Think these are likely to be B'Twin own brand hubs and cup and cone. Check that there is a lock nut on both sides of the hub.

 

[ChrisEyles]

@Yellow Saddle's got it - if it's a cup and cone hub you just nip up the nut on the outside of the hub a touch. If the wheel then feels notchy or doesn't turn as freely as before after tightening up the Q/R, back it off a touch. If the hubs not too worn it's usually not much of a job to get it so that there's no binding but no play either.

On my ancient MTB wheels there's a bit of lateral play at some points in the turn of the wheel that I can't get rid of without introducing some resistance. It's probably of the order of a mm or two at the rim, and I wouldn't worry about that unless it gets worse.

 

[Ajax Bay]

you just nip up the nut on the outside of the hub a touch

Given the level of expertise we can infer from the OP's posts, I suggest that that is a rather poor description of what the OP would need to do to get the hub a bit tighter.

 

[ChrisEyles]

Errr.. guilty as charged! I'd suggest the OP googles something like "adjusting cup and cone hubs", that might come up with something a little more useful with piccies to show which bits are what.