Bicycle Mechanics - spoke/wheel problem

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kp3509
09-23-06, 07:02 PM
I am persistently getting a creaking noise when standing on my bike to climb a hill (rocking it) The noise is coming from the front wheel. When I squeeze the spokes together when the bike is stopped I can sometimes reproduce the noise once. Is this because of the tension of my spokes? If they are creaking does that mean they are all too tight or too loose.

Wil Davis
09-23-06, 07:28 PM
Sounds like they're too loose. If they're too tight, the rim or the hub might fail, but I think the nipples would round or strip before the rim or hub failed (assuming that the rim and the hub were in good shape). In general the tighter, the better! so to speak… ;)

- Wil
waterrockets
09-23-06, 08:17 PM
I'd try swapping wheels with someone to see if they can reproduce it and make sure it goes away for you. This kind of thing is pretty rare in front wheels. The popping from squeezing spokes is unavoidable, as they interfere at the crossings, so every interlaced pair of spokes in the world will do it. That is not the source of your click unless your spokes are REALLY loose.

You might also check your dropout/axle/QR/QR-nut interfaces to make sure there's no grit in there. Also, make sure it's not your stem/bar interface (the wheel-swap will flush that one out).