Bicycle Mechanics - New Wheels - Easton EA90 SLX

Hey guys,

I finally received my new wheelset yesterday. I installed the wheels and have 2 issues:
1. both wheels are very slighly out of true
2. the freewheel doesn't spin that "free", if you get the rear wheel turning and then let go of the pedals, the free wheel will actully start to drive the chain and turn the crank

To be honest I'm a bit disappointed.... sure these aren't super high end wheels but they arent cheapo either. So I'm wondering, how normal is for my first issue to occur with new wheels that are "hand built"? And how about the 2nd issue, is that just a mater of breaking in the freewheel?

I will be contacting Easton today. Other than mounting the wheels, they haven't had a single mile on them. There was no shipping damage either so this is simply a QC issue.

My plan is to take them to a shop to get trued and re-tensioned but I'm not too happy about having to do this with a new wheelset and hopefully Easton can proof their customer service is better than their QC.

just a note... i've never seen wheels shipped perfectly true... which doesnt matter anyway because you should always re tension ur wheels after a few good ridign miles anyway. i have easton ea50 SL's on my commuter and havent had a problem. the freehub body was a little tight but it wore in just fine... the bearing inside may have just gunked up from not being spun because they were sittign in a warehouse somewhere. also if ur cranks are spinning when u cost check ur BB it may be worn.

sorry to hear your wheels are out of true. I haven't see a perfect true wheel from any maker. I have always done some truing on them . some are better than other but they all need some.now for the freewheel chances are there is to much grease in it .you can ride the bike for a while until the grease break down Little or you and add a little triflow to it. just put a few drops where the opening of the cone( gap ) in the front of the freewheel and the same in the back of it. when you do give the freewheel a spin to spend the oil inside of it. then it should spin easier.

Thanks guys.

The BB is perfect; still spins very smoothly and no side to side movement or anything like that, plus, the issue never existed with the previous wheel/freewheel. When I took the Estons out of the box I tried out the freewheel by spinning it in my hand and noticed right away that it's less "spiny".

So I guess my other question is, should I ride the wheels a bit and then get them re-tensioned or do that right away before riding?

i would get a minor true done first.... then ride and after about a month ( depeneding on how much u ride ) get them redone

true the wheels then ride & enjoy.