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Peg's Ride Wright Wheel Problem - NOT the bearings, what can it be?

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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 05:40 PM
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Default Peg's Ride Wright Wheel Problem - NOT the bearings, what can it be?

I've started a new thread because I'm hoping you will all see this right away.

As most of you know, my front Ride Wright Fat Daddy 50s went kerflooey on the first ride. I explained the noise and the consensus was the bearings - the mechanic agreed.

The mechanic replaced the bearings today, checked the spacer, checked the hub, all looks good.

Took her out for a ride, and it's STILL DOING IT. A small twang/thump then an exact half-rotation and a big twang/thump.

He put her on the lift and spun the tire - it does NOT do it on the lift.

Put my old tire and wheel back on - does NOT do it.

He is stumped. The only thing he can think of is that when the wheels are polished, they put them in stones and perhaps one of the stones got inside? He is a VERY GOOD mechanic, was the head mechanic at a local HD for years and has been on his own for a long time and his reputation around here is stellar.

So what in the heck could it be???

I am going to have to call Ride Wright after I write this and see if I can get some answers. THIS BITES!!!!!!

He told me I do need to get the bike tomorrow because having it in his shop for another few weeks waiting for a new wheels is a liability because of my custom paint job.

I was supposed to go on a charity ride tomorrow and the bike is entered in the corresponding Best Bike contest, but now I will have two different wheels and that will look lame. I amy or may not go -- kinda scared to ride it!

Anyway, guys.... what in the world could this be?????????? I don't want to go round and round on this for weeks, I've already waited for my bike almost 6 months!
 
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 05:45 PM
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Maybe some loose spokes?
 
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by studiopeg
A small twang/thump then an exact half-rotation and a big twang/thump.
One or more of the spokes are screwed up?? It's only doing it with weight on the wheel, not when the wheel is lifted.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by BOBBEREVO88
Maybe some loose spokes?
Good guess. I'd guess one of the spoke holes in the hub is elongated.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 05:50 PM
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Wow. I've never heard of this one before, but Peg, it seems you have the worst luck so far. I don't see how anything copuld be inside the wheel. there is really nowhere for it to go. The spokes are solid and the rim is the rim. The hub has the bearings and a sleeve in the middle for the axle to go through. That is all there is to the wheel. I guess he thinks something got in the hub? I would find it really hard to believe that a spoke is loose on a brand new wheel, but i guess it could be that too?

Drew
 
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 06:00 PM
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I just talked to Jay at Ride Wright and he is going to send a Fedex pick up tag on Monday to bring the wheel back to CA and check it out. He is stumped too.

I'm telling you, it's that little black cloud that follows me.

I just bought myself a nice bottle of wine to ease the pain........... I am so depressed it isn't funny.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 06:01 PM
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With my stocker hd spokes i was riding down down highway 76 and out of nowhere i got a huge thump on the rear wheel. When i got off to check out the bike i hade some snapped spokes. Thats the only reason why i suggest it.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 06:06 PM
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It's gotta be the spokes or the mounting of the spokes in the center hub. It only happens when there's weight on the wheel. And, as Dr. V stated, there's nothing else there. They should have caught that in quality control when they were assembling and truing the wheel.

I'd be pissed about sitting out of a few weeks riding while the wheel got shipped back and forth. To say nothing of missing a contest that the bike has a real shot at winning.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 06:09 PM
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so is the "sound" able to be felt when you ride or is it just a noise? A spoke being pulled on the hub will make noise but you should not be able to feel it. You would also be able touch the spoke and know it was loose. If the hub mount was elongated it would be noticeable as well I would think, if it were to be making noise.

Something doesn't add up here.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 06:11 PM
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The inner spacer (crush tube) might be a little short and and with the pressure it rattles and thumps... it happen to me.
 
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