Wheelset Problems

RideXC
RideXC Posts: 67
edited February 2011 in MTB workshop & tech
Hello fellow forumites, my wheelset - DT swiss xr350, dt comp spokes, tank lights hub. Is making twanging and clunking sounds when there's strong forces on them like when pedalling in a hard gear uphill or just pushing hard on the pedals. This didnt happen when I just purchased them, around 3 months ago. They were hand-built by the shop. Should I send them back to the shop to get the spokes re-trued or the wheelset repaired? Thanks in advance for any replies!
I still can't understand why I want a singlespeed steel hardtail when I already have a full-susser with 27 gears.

Comments

  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    So are they straight?

    Does one side feel loser than the other?

    Could just be the nipple on the eyelets and cross-overs of the spokes. A drop of oil on the nipple and cross over sections, I found works to stop noises.
  • RideXC
    RideXC Posts: 67
    Its still straight as an arrow, just the spokes keep twanging, but only on the back.
    I still can't understand why I want a singlespeed steel hardtail when I already have a full-susser with 27 gears.
  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    How's the dishing - does it sit in the middle of the stays?

    If that's ok - I'd give the oiling a go. It's unlikey the spokes coming lose if it's still straight and dished correctly.
  • RideXC
    RideXC Posts: 67
    Ah.. Shall try the oiling tomorrow. Thanks for the info!
    I still can't understand why I want a singlespeed steel hardtail when I already have a full-susser with 27 gears.
  • loamy
    loamy Posts: 154
    I would say that it is likely the spokes have loosened over time due to them "bedding in" with use, this is fairly common. If you take it back to the shop you got it from they will be able to retension them, if they have a warrenty or are a friendly place they might even do it for free.

    The majority of the strength of a wheel is a result of the spokes holding it true, if they are loose then they are likely to be a lot weaker than expected. If the wheel is still true and round then retentioning should be a straight forward and quick job.

    If you feel like a challenge or are confident of your skills you could try doing the job yourself which could save you money and/or time, this is simpler than truing a buckled wheel.

    I may be wrong and am more than happy to accept i am wrong but that's my theory, i am no expert though.
  • RideXC
    RideXC Posts: 67
    How do I retention the wheels? I have absolutely no experiiene in building or trueing wheels :P
    I still can't understand why I want a singlespeed steel hardtail when I already have a full-susser with 27 gears.
  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    You don't, a well made set of wheels (like yours seem to be) should not need it.

    A well made set of wheels will not need bedding in.

    If they are round and centered on the hub the same as day 1 then it's VERY unlikely the spokes would have come undone, as this tends not to happen in a uniform manner,
  • RideXC
    RideXC Posts: 67
    I tried tapping each of the spokes, something i read on the web. Seems like some of the spokes are lower in tension compared to the others. Does this make any sense?
    I still can't understand why I want a singlespeed steel hardtail when I already have a full-susser with 27 gears.
  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    One side is sometimes tighter due to the dish and it pulling the rim off center.

    Did you try the oiling? That would be my first stop if the wheel is round.
  • RideXC
    RideXC Posts: 67
    I tried the oiling, didn't seem to help. So i got the wheel to the LBS earlier this evening, it should be back by tomorrow. The LBS man suggested that the damage might have been from a reasonably ugly dent in rim :P it seems the rim is also slightly out of true. I'll see what I get tomorrow, hopefully I'll be riding in the evening! Thanks for the replies!
    I still can't understand why I want a singlespeed steel hardtail when I already have a full-susser with 27 gears.
  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    So, they were not as straight as an arrow!
  • RideXC
    RideXC Posts: 67
    Probably cause I was too lazy to take off the tyre and actually examine it :lol: thanks for your input though, appreciate it!
    I still can't understand why I want a singlespeed steel hardtail when I already have a full-susser with 27 gears.

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