Bicycle Mechanics - another bike noise thread...

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tgrssn
04-07-11, 10:24 PM
hey all,

maybe you can help me with this one. i have a surly steamroller that i ride everywhere. recently when going off of a curb a loud "chank!" or "chack!" or "chunk!" sound came from the front wheelish (maybe headset) area. i thought i cracked my frame. i inspected everything and i couldn't find any cracks anywhere. then i started to bounce the front wheel off the ground to see if i could replicate it. every forth of fifth bounce or so i could make it do it again. it's a loud sound and it's sort of discouraging. i want to fix it.

any ideas???

thanks

- tim

FastJake
04-07-11, 11:04 PM
Sounds like your headset might be loose. Here's the test: stand over the bike and grab the front brake. Try moving the bike back and forth. If it wobbles, it's most likely the headset. You can be sure by putting one hand on the area where the fork meets the frame and feel the wobble.

It is also possible one of the spokes on your front wheel has gone completely slack. I had a noise like that once.

Noises can be difficult to pin down. Sometimes they come from where you least suspect. Check every part to see if it's loose.
tgrssn
04-07-11, 11:36 PM
Sounds like your headset might be loose. Here's the test: stand over the bike and grab the front brake. Try moving the bike back and forth. If it wobbles, it's most likely the headset. You can be sure by putting one hand on the area where the fork meets the frame and feel the wobble.

It is also possible one of the spokes on your front wheel has gone completely slack. I had a noise like that once.

Noises can be difficult to pin down. Sometimes they come from where you least suspect. Check every part to see if it's loose.

thanks. the headset should've been fine but i tightened it anyway. i'll check the spokes.

thanks again.

FastJake
04-08-11, 12:21 AM
One more thing I thought of: grab your front wheel somewhere near the brake pads, while installed in the frame, and try to rock it from side to side. If there's play in your hub bearings it can also cause a clunking. I've had this happen on wheels where the locknuts/cones came loose because they weren't properly tightened.

Let us know when you figure it out.