jsharr

......check your bearings.

The front wheel of my Trek 8000 started making pinging noises, esp. when I had some weight on the front end. Checked it for loose spokes, found none.

Really started watching the wheel and found that it would ping when the labels on the rim where at the 6 o clock position.

Pulled the wheel, removed tube and tire and pulled back the rim tape and could find nothing there to cause the pinging.

As I am holding the wheel, I give it a spin and hear a faint noise coming from the hub. Pulled it apart and the bearings were almost dry. Not sure why they would ping at the same place every time, but once I cleaned and reassembled the wheel, she rides silent again.

Captain Slow

Yep. Bearings will pop & grind and amplify right through the wheel. Sometimes a grain or two of sand will work into the bearing race and make noise... This won't happen until AFTER you clean the bike. It's a law of nature.
Once I adjust and tighten the bearing locknuts, I dab some heavy automotive grease around the area... It does a pretty good job of keeping grit and moisture out of the bearings.

Al1943

Hummm... I thought it was that playing cards I had clothespinned to the stays.

Sixty Fiver

There is no such thing as too much grease and when you repack them, things should be sterile to prevent any contaminants from getting in.

When you get used to riding a really quiet and well tuned bike you can also become acutely aware of anything that might be amiss.

StanSeven

Another strange noise where it's hard to find the cause comes from dirt and grease building up where spokes cross. I've found it when I looked for loose spokes.

jsharr

My wife was at the pool with the boys. I used boiling water and a bit of citrus cleaner to degrease the bearings, cones, axle and dust covers. I also used one of her pans and her kitchen!!! It was much more "sterile" than my workbench in the garage. Cooler too!!

BCRider

You sir, are losing your grip on your Sense Of Self Preservation for attempting such daring folly......



Thanks for the tip jsharr As it turns out my old trusty single speed was making some cracks and pops that I tracked to a seat post that needed cleaning and re-greasing. But after getting that fixed I'm still noticing small cracking or ping sounds coming from one of the wheels when I torque to the sides. And it HAS been a few years since I was into those hubs.......

Al1943

Just stick them in the dish washer while she's out shopping.

2manybikes

Just turn up the Ipod. It's easier.

Joshua A.C. New

Man. From the talk on these forums, you guys all married the wrong women.