Bike feels "wobbly"

Lee G
Lee G Posts: 7
edited June 2011 in Workshop
I ride a Specialized Allez 16, 15 months old, and I've noticed the last few days the bike feels "wobbly" when I ride it, and I have no idea what might be causing it. I had new wheels fitted 3 months ago and they seem fine. I don't have a truing stand but spinning the wheel and using the brake block as a guide, both wheels are pretty true. I also upgraded the headset bearings last week, as the standard ones were in a right state, the work was done by my LBS. Any ideas what might be causing it, it feels like the wobble is from the rear of the bike?

Comments

  • Buckled_Rims
    Buckled_Rims Posts: 1,648
    If the bike was ok last week, then ask yourself what has changed. In this case the headset bearings were replaced. So some questions can be asked.

    Did they replace like for like or upgrade the bearings?
    Did they correctly tighten or fit the headset?
    Did they put grease on or too much grease?

    Without seeing the bike, I'd have a good look and feel for any slack or uneveness in the headset first.
    CAAD9
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  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    Is there any play in the hubs, i.e. if you grip the rim and wiggle it from side to side is it firmly held?

    How true is 'pretty true'? A sufficiently out of true wheel will cause a lot of lateral vibration.
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  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Stand over the bike, pull on the front brake lever to 'lock' the wheel and rock the bike back and forth, in particular feel if there is any slight movement between the fork and the frame. If a new headset has been installed, the bearings may have settled and you may need to readjust the bearing load. Likewise, ensure that the front wheel QR is firm and finally, as suggested, test the front wheel bearings too.
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  • nferrar
    nferrar Posts: 2,511
    As above and if that doesn't throw up anything check the frame in case it's cracked somewhere
  • cabbage1879
    cabbage1879 Posts: 113
    Could just be the new bearings are working the way they should be. Maybe the old ones were clamped down too tight and the bike didn't respond as it should have, new bearings fitted correctly will make the bike feel a lot more responsive. Maybe that's what you're getting??
  • Lee G
    Lee G Posts: 7
    Just wanted to thank those that offered advice, I checked the headset bearings, fine....checked the rear hub bearings, fine........checked the frame for cracks/damage, fine, removed the wheels and took them to LBS to "borrow" their truing stand, both wheels fine. Was beginning to lose hope but after putting the tyres back on the rear wheel did a quick check by spinning the wheel and looking for defects in the tyre, discovered it was significantly mis-shapen in a couple of spots. Only cheap tyres as I cycle on a tight budget, but they have been on for at least 6 months, but didn't ever think to check these. Had a brand new one in the shed, popped this on and bingo, wobble now gone. Really enjoying riding again, once my sprained wrist eases up I'll start doing the long and scenic route to work again.

    Anyway, despite you all being wrong I wanted to thank you for at least trying to help :lol::lol::lol:

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