front wheel problems

uk_mr_brownstone

I'm of average knowledge when it comes to servicing my bike, with wheels being a definite weak point.

I've got a Hope XC front hub on Mavic521 (if I recall right- it's not at my house right now) rim, not sure of the spokes.

Wheel spins fine and feels quite strong; however, it has some 2.35 tyres on which emphasises the following issue- the top of the wheel arc shows a definite bias toward the disc rotor side, at least a few mm. Not enough to worry on a smaller tyre, but leaving less than 5mm clearance on the left (rotor) side.

This would be bearable, but under medium to heavy breaking it pulls further towards the rotor side, almost touching the fork arch.

I'm currently using a mates from wheel- but had exactly the same problem with my own front wheel which is exactly the same set up, but to a worse degree- actually rubbing on the arch under braking

Spokes all feel fairly tight- certainly no obvious loose ones.

Obviously the braking force is pulling the wheel to the wheel to the left, but any reason why it'd be a bit off centre in this direction to start with? Any suggestions appreciated

supersonic

The wheel might not be 'dished' correctly. Tyre may not be fitted perfectly, or it may even be bent fork legs.

What brakes, rotor size, tyres and fork are you using, and hpw much do you weigh?

uk_mr_brownstone

Tyres are fine- I noticed it with the old tyres too (other 2.35s)- I initally thought it was my previous forks- just had new revelations fitted so it's not the forks

only weigh 10 stone

normal 160rotors with shimano hydraulics- nothing major in terms of awesome stopping power!

supersonic

Sounds like the wheel is not dished correctly. Take the tyre off and refit the wheel - does the rim sit in the middle? Be best to get a shop to check it out with a dishing tool. The'll also check alignment and the axle.

uk_mr_brownstone

Yeh it's slightly off centre with the tyre off

thing is it's the same on 2 Hope XC disc hub wheels i've tried, so I thought it might be something with the type of hub- that it'd be too mch of a coincidence that wheels fromm different places might have been built wrong. But I've only read good things about the Hope XC's so I can't imagine there's something inherently wrong with them, but though it might be that they are prone to spoke wear (or one sided loosening?) of some sorts that might cause the problem. To tackle this I had a friend that has built his own wheels have aquick look to tighten any loose spokes but it made little difference

I'll take to LBS for their view

nicklouse

one other thing to check are the axle spacers, IIRC they are different widths on the disc and non disc sides a swap around may fix it. If not then a wheel redish is needed.

uk_mr_brownstone

I never thought about the spacers! not sure if it's the problem but hopefully it is! thanks for the advice