How do I fix noisy wheels?

[Craigwt]

Hi Guys,

 

So I have had a set of American Classic Race wheels for about two months now.

 

When I bought the set everything was fine. But after a few rides they started getting noisy, making tiny creaking/cracking sounds as the wheel rolls, I can reproduce this sound by flexing the wheel side to side with my hands.

 

I eventually took my bike in for a service, where the wheels were tensioned and the noises stopped. Two or three rides in, the wheels are slowly starting to creak again and its getting worse with every ride. I had a look last night and my back wheel is now buckled as well.

 

What is more than likely causing this? Am I too heavy for these wheels? I'm +- 90kg with cycle gear on and the wheels have a rider weight limit of 95kg. Could taking it in to the right shop to get tensioned make a difference? The last guy to tension them made a comment regarding them having alu nipples, could brass nipples change anything?

[Johan Bornman]

Generally spokes rubbing over each other don't make a noise. It is usually the skewer. I suggest you find yourself any old Shimano skewer, clamp the wheels real tight and go for a ride. I am willing to bet that the noise will be gone.

 

An external cam skewer such as that supplied by AC is not up to the job.

 

The nipples, no matter what material they're made of, won't creak. It is either the skewer or the bearings. Those wheels have preload adjustment, so make sure there isn't some lateral play in the bearings too.

[Iron]

had the same issue .

 

take them back and get them to loosen all the spokes completely . there is a washer between the spoke nipple and the rim ( this is where the creak is coming from ) . get the shop to put some spoke lube on this washer then rebuild the wheels .

 

Note this should be a no charge ( if you taker them back to where you bought them ) .

[Mojoman]

Not sure of the weight issues but I read somewhere that with new wheels you should put a drop of oil on each nipple and also a drop of oil on the spokes where they cross over one another?

[Iron]

Generally spokes rubbing over each other don't make a noise. It is usually the skewer. I suggest you find yourself any old Shimano skewer, clamp the wheels real tight and go for a ride. I am willing to bet that the noise will be gone.

 

An external cam skewer such as that supplied by AC is not up to the job.

 

The nipples, no matter what material they're made of, won't creak. It is either the skewer or the bearings. Those wheels have preload adjustment, so make sure there isn't some lateral play in the bearings too.

 

Not what his problem is on these wheels though . been down this road with the new AM race . they need to be rebuilt with some lube on the washers that are between the nipple and rim .not sure if you have heard what a pair of these new AM sound like with respect to what the op is saying , i have and its no normal wheel noise .

[Craigwt]

Not what his problem is on these wheels though . been down this road with the new AM race . they need to be rebuilt with some lube on the washers that are between the nipple and rim .not sure if you have heard what a pair of these new AM sound like with respect to what the op is saying , i have and its no normal wheel noise .

 

Agreed, it does not really sound like it could be the skewer. As I flex the wheel I can hear tons of little creaks. It its extremely annoying when doing a long, slow and bendy climb, these wheels creaking and crackling under me.

 

And the buckling of the wheel? I'm still wondering if these wheels aren't meant for really light riding. I dont want to waste too much time hassling with these wheels if they're going to keep going out of shape

 

Anyone have any opinions?

[Iron]

Agreed, it does not really sound like it could be the skewer. As I flex the wheel I can hear tons of little creaks. It its extremely annoying when doing a long, slow and bendy climb, these wheels creaking and crackling under me.

 

And the buckling of the wheel? I'm still wondering if these wheels aren't meant for really light riding. I dont want to waste too much time hassling with these wheels if they're going to keep going out of shape

 

Anyone have any opinions?

 

trust me you have the same problem i had a week ago , take them back for a rfebuild and make sure the shop lubes the nipples and washers in the rim as i said , it will fix the problem . when they built at the factory they used little to no lube at this point and thus the noise . just take them back and get the rebuilt or if you not happy witht the shop even better take them to a reputable wheel builder and ask him to do the same thing . it will sort them out .

[Craigwt]

trust me you have the same problem i had a week ago , take them back for a rfebuild and make sure the shop lubes the nipples and washers in the rim as i said , it will fix the problem . when they built at the factory they used little to no lube at this point and thus the noise . just take them back and get the rebuilt or if you not happy witht the shop even better take them to a reputable wheel builder and ask him to do the same thing . it will sort them out .

 

Thanks Iron, I will give it a try.

 

I dont really think the shop I bought them from have the skills to do this job properly. I will have to take in in else where.

Edited June 18, 2013 by Craigwt

[MTBc]

Hi Guys,

 

So I have had a set of American Classic Race wheels for about two months now.

 

When I bought the set everything was fine. But after a few rides they started getting noisy, making tiny creaking/cracking sounds as the wheel rolls, I can reproduce this sound by flexing the wheel side to side with my hands.

 

I eventually took my bike in for a service, where the wheels were tensioned and the noises stopped. Two or three rides in, the wheels are slowly starting to creak again and its getting worse with every ride. I had a look last night and my back wheel is now buckled as well.

 

What is more than likely causing this? Am I too heavy for these wheels? I'm +- 90kg with cycle gear on and the wheels have a rider weight limit of 95kg. Could taking it in to the right shop to get tensioned make a difference? The last guy to tension them made a comment regarding them having alu nipples, could brass nipples change anything?

 

Are they 29ers? I think you need to get ride of them, especially the front one before it buckles. I'll pm you my address shortly, for the sake of better riding for you. I'll offer this gracious service at no charge.

[NotSoBigBen]

Are they 29ers? I think you need to get ride of them, especially the front one before it buckles. I'll pm you my address shortly, for the sake of better riding for you. I'll offer this gracious service at no charge.

 

Probably using 26r valve caps

[Iron]

Probably using 26r valve caps

 

pfft , the insult !

[Craigwt]

Are they 29ers? I think you need to get ride of them, especially the front one before it buckles. I'll pm you my address shortly, for the sake of better riding for you. I'll offer this gracious service at no charge.

 

Lol... very kind of you.

[NotSoBigBen]

had the same issue .

 

take them back and get them to loosen all the spokes completely . there is a washer between the spoke nipple and the rim ( this is where the creak is coming from ) . get the shop to put some spoke lube on this washer then rebuild the wheels .

 

Note this should be a no charge ( if you taker them back to where you bought them ) .

 

Who eventually sorted your wheels out? Perhaps the OP can go there ....

[Iron]

Who eventually sorted your wheels out? Perhaps the OP can go there ....

 

Dangle ( Summit cycles ) .

 

Did a fantastic job , however the op is in slaap stad so thats not so easy for him .

[Abercrombie]

Sing loudly to drown out the noise?

[NotSoBigBen]

Dangle ( Summit cycles ) .

 

Did a fantastic job , however the op is in slaap stad so thats not so easy for him .

 

Would have expected no less from Boris and as you say of little use to the OP.