loose wheel?

anthw

my rear wheel has become loose, but the quick relese on it is nice and tight? it does look slightly buckled and one spoke is snapped (probly why it's got a buckle) but it rocks slightly when you physicly move it side to side with your hands. it seems to be affecting my braking too!
When i apply a liberal amount of pressure to the rear brake the wheel seems to shudder and i can feel it right through the bike. A friend has mentioned it could be the 'wheel cones' have loosened? What are these? i have no idea.

should i be worryed???? please help!!

thanks in advance.

redvee

Cones are used to ensure free running of the hub/wheel on the spindle. The tools needed depend on your hub but usually a 15/16mm cone spanner, thinner than a normal spanner and a metric adjustable wrench, not an imperial wrench. Easy to do if you know what you are doing, best taken to your LBS for a 10 minute job and removal of £10 from your sweaty palms.

BikerDan

Chech the rear mech hanger bolt is tight.

MarvintheAndroid

Wheel cones do not normally loosen for no reason, so it is quite likely that you have wear due to corrosion or damage due to impact. Whichever is the case, riding with loose cones will wear the bearings and tracks unevenly and it is certain to get worse. At the very least your broken spoke needs sorting ASAP, continued use will overstress the remaining spokes and lead to a spate of failures. It may also be unsafe due the effect it is having on your brakes.

Maybe this can be fixed cheaply with a new spoke and a new set of bearings, but the bad news is you might need a new wheel. However if you leave it and carry on riding you will definitely end up needing a new wheel - and maybe some stitches or worse.

My advice - get down to your LBS smartish.

Marv.