Calling all Power Tap users

[Iven]

My Power Tap wheel "creaks" incessantly and I cannot locate the source of the problem. Have any other Power Tap users found this problem and how have you gotten rid of the irritating noise?

 

Is it caused by the spokes rubbing against each other or is it caused by the spokes on the hub? Or is it caused by the freehub?

 

I'd really, really appreciate your help!!!

[Marco]

call bikemaxpower in ct or go to the guys that fitted it for you. it shouldnt do that as far as i know

[JasonW]

Mine doesn't!

[zerocool]

Might be your spokes that is to loose. First time I heard of this problem. will try my best to help you out..

 

pls mail me. michaelvs(at)bikemaxpower.com

 

[Christie]

Before rushing the creaking wheel to the shop, check the skewer - it is sometimes the source of rear wheel creaks. Try tightening it a bit more, or if that does not work, a bit less than usual (I'm talking a little bit here, like 5%, dont want your wheel to fall out) If this does not work, try fitting a different skewer.

[Marius]

what wheels do you have? My chain use to rub against my spokes in certain gear ratios, I had black spokes so was easy to spot, just dent the rear derailleur straight again.<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

[Iven]

what wheels do you have? My chain use to rub against my spokes in certain gear ratios' date=' I had black spokes so was easy to spot, just dent the rear derailleur straight again.<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

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Current wheels are Easton Circuit. Previous was a basic Mavic of sorts (not open pro).

[TXS cyclist]

I used eastern circuits with a powertap and wheel never had creaking sound. however when the powertap has been installed I had the spokes changed to custom spokes.  

[Marius]

Oh, I have the AC 420's, thought it might be the wheels, I think it was my Rear Derailleur that just toached the spokes, dunno how it happend, might have been bent after a little crash, but ja, dunno what else it could be.

[Iven]

I used eastern circuits with a powertap and wheel never had creaking sound. however when the powertap has been installed I had the spokes changed to custom spokes.  

 

What kind of custom spokes did you use?

[zerocool]

I have done more than 21 000km on my PT without one spoke break or out of balance wheel and have done some races (most of them)

 

Used open pro rim with little thicker black spokes.. Heavy though! 

[Dr. Watt]

Maximo

Adrian from the PowerTap agents here.

If your wheel is making a noise, I would have a look at the point where the spokes are crossing eachother. On one previous occasion, I have seen a wheel where the friction between the spokes caused a small "notch" at this point. This causes one spoke to rest in the notch in the other spoke. If the spoke tension is too low, then when the affected spokes are placed under load, the spoke bends and will slip out of the notch in the other, causing a noise.

The solution to this may lie in:

A) replacing the spokes

B) checking the spoke tension

C) binding the spokes at the crossing using conventional methods.

 

I'd suggest just having the wheel rebuilt, by a skilled wheel builder and with the correct spokes.

 

If you've already had the wheel rebuilt and the problem persists, then you'd have to look at the PowerTap hub itself.

A) make sure that the hub cover thread is dirt free and correctly tightened.

B) take the wheel to your LBS and have them remove the cassette and inspect the freewheel mechanism. The PowerTap axle assembly is physically seperated from the power-measuring electronics, so it can be user-serviced. They should pay particular attention to the pawls.

 

All PowerTap parts (especially in the axle assembly and freehub) can be replaced easily.

 

Please feel free to contact me directly if you require further assistance with any PowerTap matter. We would gladly inspect the wheel for you, if you like.

 

adrian@bicyclepower.co.za 021 462 2205

 

Looking forward to helping you solve this problem.