Talk to me about "wheels made of cheese"

mcvw

Hi,

I have a 2014 Giant Defy Composite 1 (Ultegra 11spd) and recently I've noticed (or at least I think I have) a somewhat skittish type behaviour from the front wheel. I only seem to recall this when a) I've been riding at speeds over 30mph, or b) in blustery cross-winds.

I have heard comments about Giant wheels being "made of cheese". Would these cheese comments refer to the stiffness of the wheel (and thus explain what I believe is happening to me), or are they aimed at the durability/ease of wear of the wheel?

Or is my wheel behaviour nothing to do with cheese and something altogether different?

Note: My bike was brand new in October and I've ridden just over 300miles. It was also serviced three weeks ago and there were no problems identified (and there are no loose spokes, or evidence of the wheel being out of true).

Thanks,


Mike

darkhairedlord

Utter nonsense, it's the moon that's made of cheese, everyone knows that!

lostboysaint

darkhairedlord wrote:

Utter nonsense, it's the moon that's made of cheese, everyone knows that!

So you are saying that Giant are mining for materials on the moon!

marcusjb

If you're wheels are made of cheese, you need to upgrade to a bike made of cheese:



(Skittish behavior on the front wheel could be due to lack of stiffness, but it would have to be hella wobbly to really manifest itself - more likely to be overly high tyre pressure or, in the high winds (and not knowing what wheels this bike has on it, I am guessing) a deeper section wheel can be a bit of a handful (and they really don't have to be all that deep to catch the wind).

keezx

I've Googled a bit about the wheels and the front wheel is a 24 spoke heavy rim wheel, should be plenty stiff

darkhairedlord

lostboysaint wrote:

darkhairedlord wrote:

Utter nonsense, it's the moon that's made of cheese, everyone knows that!

So you are saying that Giant are mining for materials on the moon!

only if they make steps too, right sting?

mcvw

Keezx wrote:

I've Googled a bit about the wheels and the front wheel is a 24 spoke heavy rim wheel, should be plenty stiff

Yes, the front wheel is indeed 24 spoke. It's a PR-2.

And to everybody else - very good

Undertones

What did you ride before this?

was that any different when you went over 30mph?

overlord2

Handy when you bonk.

Matthewfalle

Overlord2 wrote:

Handy when you bonk.

In my experience you don't get a lot of bonking if it's all cheesy like......

bobmcstuff

The giant wheels don't seem very stiff compared to others but they are just fine really.

I never noticed the PR2s being skittery or anything except in gusty winds (but then so's everything)

trailflow

Ive felt skittishness before whilst cornering fast. I put it down to small stones on the road.

mcvw

Undertones wrote:

What did you ride before this?

was that any different when you went over 30mph?

I'm a convert from the MTB world, and my previous bikes were Kona Kilauea/Spec Stumpjumper - so nothing really comparable.

I believe that (as people are saying) the wheels are fine - and what I was experiencing was likely a side affect of the strong cross winds. The only additional info I can provide is that it felt like the wheel/hub was loose and shaking within the fork. I've checked the skewer/spokes/headset etc and all appear tight. I'll keep an eye on things and if I notice this again I'll call the dealer and maybe get them to check the bike out.

Bobbinogs

Might also be worth checking the bearings for play as well. With the wheel securely fastened by the QRs, see if you can move the wheel laterally with your thumb by the brake bridge (doesn't have to be the bridge but the two brake blocks give a good reference point).

If the bearings/axles do have play then this can be adjusted and (if needed) the bearings serviced (if cup and cone) or simply replaced (if cartridge).

diy

+1 and check you don't have a couple of dodgy spokes, a tyre with a bulge etc.

mcvw

Bobbinogs: Good suggestions - will check later.
diy: spokes and tyre are fine (checked this morning)

Thank you