Wheel Flex

[Blaze]

Hi all,

While out in the rain today, I noticed a heap of noise from my rear wheel dragging on the brakes under pedaling load. Due to the wet weather here was a heap of crude on the rims etc so I am not sure if it was just the conditions or if my rear wheel is flexing too much.

The rear wheel does move a bit side to side. I rechecked the wheel in the drop outs and the tension on the quick release, the wheel wasn't moving at the hub, only 'within the spokes'

How much would you expect a wheel to move?

[DavidH]

Depends on a lot of factors, but generally a lot more than you'd expect.

I've learnt that it's a mistake to adjust your brake pads bare millimetres from the rims since they easily flex enough to run into the pads (especially when under load during hard climbs or sprinting).

What sort of wheels do you have?

[Blaze]

What sort of wheels do you have?

just Shimano WH-RS10 nothing special, they have about 2,000kms on them.

[DavidH]

I used to have a set of Shimano WH-R535 wheels and I swear the rear wheel whould flex more than half a centimetre at the rim when you were climbing out of the saddle. I actually tested it by dusting the rims with chalk and seeing whether the brake pads would rub. I was amazed at the amount of flex.

[eucryphia]

I could feel my shimano rear wheel (with hub gears) flexing after about a year of almost daily commuting. It was mostly noticable when coasting slowly whilst weaving to and fro, not so much when under load.

I took it to the LBS I bought it from, they had two goes at it, it's fine now. They advised me not to tighten just one spoke, make sure they are all even.

I suppose I should learn how to do it properly.

[Sveky]

What sort of wheels do you have?

just Shimano WH-RS10 nothing special, they have about 2,000kms on them.

Yeah it’s the wheels, RS10's are rubbish I have a pair for backup and like yours they would flex badly and creak like a old bed on climbs (I’m only 79 kg btw)