Annoying wobble.

[DJH]

My Claud Butler Glide 1 has developed an annoying slow speed wobble. So far I have done 1100 miles on it and it is only in the last month or so that this wobble has started. When I set off from home there is a slight downhill slope and I just freewheel gathering speed and that is when it is most noticeable. It feels like the back wheel is going to come off! It doesn't..........and when I start pedalling I don't really notice it.

I've trued the wheel myself and I took it to the bike shop where I bought it, for them to have look at as my truing didn't do the trick but they couldn't find anything wrong. The tyre looks ok and is at the correct pressure, the wheels look aligned so I'm at a loss as to what to do next?

It's very disconcerting..............any ideas?

 

[jhruk]

My Claud Butler Glide 1 has developed an annoying slow speed wobble. So far I have done 1100 miles on it and it is only in the last month or so that this wobble has started. When I set off from home there is a slight downhill slope and I just freewheel gathering speed and that is when it is most noticeable. It feels like the back wheel is going to come off! It doesn't..........and when I start pedalling I don't really notice it.

I've trued the wheel myself and I took it to the bike shop where I bought it, for them to have look at as my truing didn't do the trick but they couldn't find anything wrong. The tyre looks ok and is at the correct pressure, the wheels look aligned so I'm at a loss as to what to do next?

It's very disconcerting..............any ideas?

I had a similar thing a while ago. It felt like the back wheel was loose – particularly freewheeling downhill. It had me flummoxed for a while but I eventually found that it was the tyre that was worn along the line of the rim, next to the bead. This wasn’t apparent on initial inspection, as there was no separation, but removing the tyre showed where it was worn and replacing it fixed it.

I’d bought this bike second hand and I think it may have been caused by the tyre having been run for too long at too low a pressure.

Might be worth taking the tyre off and checking it.

 

[DJH]

Thanks jhruk I may try that, although I've had the bike from new and always kept the correct tyre pressure. Anyway it's worth a try, especially as the back wheel carries quite a weight with panniers etc.

 

[Cakey]

Could be tyre, or wheel bearings tend to show at slow speeds
Check the cones are not loose .
Hit a Kerb or pothole , rim could be slightly bent.
Also if your tyres have slime in them and you have a had a flat , the sealant can collect around the thorn hole etc , and will cause a wobble .

 

[DJH]

Could be tyre, or wheel bearings tend to show at slow speeds
Check the cones are not loose .
Hit a Kerb or pothole , rim could be slightly bent.
Also if your tyres have slime in them and you have a had a flat , the sealant can collect around the thorn hole etc , and will cause a wobble .

Cones are ok and I don't have slime. I would have thought the BS would have checked everything else but you never know! Thanks anyway for a few more possibilities.

 

[Blew it]

Strange as it may seem..........

This is a bit of a long-shot, but worth checking. Tail-wagging, usually experienced when free-wheeling downhill, can sometimes be traced to loose head-stock bearings.

If the machine has a threaded head-set, then adjust the large 40mm A/F nut to take up any slack in the head-stock bearings.

In the case of a threadless head-set, slacken the pinch-bolts on the ahead stem and then check the pre-tension on the M6 bolt that screws into the star-fangled nut. This bolt should only be tight enough to hold the head-stock bearings in place. Remember to re-tighten the ahead stem pinch-bolts afterwards.

 

[RegularGuy]

I'd probably try and take the hub apart and rebuild. Rest assured wherever your wobble is it will be in the last place you look!

 

[paulhipwood]

I'd probably try and take the hub apart and rebuild. Rest assured wherever your wobble is it will be in the last place you look!

Are you thinking of the rider LOL

 

[DJH]

Grief..................looks like I'll have to dismantle the bike and have a medical !!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously though, today I'll check the headstock (easy) and the rear tyre (not so easy with rear motor).

Cakey, I was thinking of putting slime in the tyres, have you actually had the problem you mentioned?

 

[Cakey]

Yes, slime is great but after a couple of years it tends to solidify. Not sure if it's air contamination or punctures . I swap mine every 2 seasons.
Caused a wobble on my road bike .
If you read the bumf on slimed tubes it does not keep too well . Have had slimed tubes as spares that are useless after a couple of years , like rubber bricks.
Never been an issue on my mountain steeds . Running maxxi minions and slime . Seems to be the skinnier tyre .

 

[DJH]

I had a similar thing a while ago. It felt like the back wheel was loose – particularly freewheeling downhill. It had me flummoxed for a while but I eventually found that it was the tyre that was worn along the line of the rim, next to the bead. This wasn’t apparent on initial inspection, as there was no separation, but removing the tyre showed where it was worn and replacing it fixed it.

I’d bought this bike second hand and I think it may have been caused by the tyre having been run for too long at too low a pressure.

Might be worth taking the tyre off and checking it.

Dead right jhruk the rear tyre is worn along the rim in one part. It must be the weight on the back end that has caused the problem. Now what tyre to replace?The damaged tyre is 26x1.75 Duro Cordoba puncture resistant. Anybody have any suggestions?

 

[neptune]

@Blew it. Loved the bit about the star-fangled nut. Sounds like the title of the American National Anthem, or possibly a reference to George Dubbleya Bush.

 

[Cakey]

Schwalbe marathon

 

[DJH]

Schwalbe marathon

Thanks.........ordered from Amazon............delivery tomorrow.

What would I do without Amazon??????????? one click..................simples!

 

[jhruk]

Dead right jhruk the rear tyre is worn along the rim in one part. It must be the weight on the back end that has caused the problem. Now what tyre to replace?The damaged tyre is 26x1.75 Duro Cordoba puncture resistant. Anybody have any suggestions?

Yes, the extra weight does give the tyres a tough time. Hope the new one fixes it for you.

 

[DJH]

Yes, the extra weight does give the tyres a tough time. Hope the new one fixes it for you.

New tyre fitted.......no wobble.............brilliant! Would have taken me ages to figure out what was wrong and probably another visit to the BS, so thanks to everyone who contributed.