beebleb

I've started noticing that my front and rear wheel aren't rear as stiff as they used to be; and I'm noticing this as brake rub that happens under load.

Can this happen over time? The wheel is still true (as far as I can tell); does a loosening of the spokes etc. happen over time which can cause this loss of stiffness?

If so, any tips on how to solve it? All the "how to true a wheel" Google queries seem to just give me instructions on truing a wheel which is no longer straight etc. not too much about restoring the stiffness of the wheel.

Thanks.

Panthers007

Be good if people took readings of their spoke-tension when they first get their wheels on their bike. But I'd take it to a shop, if you don't have a tension-meter handy, and see what they say. Adding a bit more tension to a wheel is a simple matter of knowing where it is now, and where you want it to be. You need a spoke-wrench and the knowledge required to true a wheel. If you don't have the latter, you can take it to your LBS and see what they want for the job. You don't want to tighten the spokes too much or they can round-out or break. So you need to know what's good and safe for your particular wheels.

ultraman6970

If the wheel went out of true it will fell weird... not stiff. Probably the whole problem is that the wheel is not true, that's all.

True it 1st... then apply more tension if needed AKA turn the spoke heads 1/4 of a turn to every and each of them. If that doesnt work... try putting more pressure to your tires or tubular or whatever u are using. If the wheels aren't well inflated will feel weird... NOT STIFF...

cya

operator

If you're not experiened enough to tell by squeezing sets of parallel spokes together whether or not it is in normal range then you need to

a) acquire a tensionmeter
b) take the wheel to someone who has a) or who knows from experience

daveornee

Could it be bearing, cone, cup wear?
Could it be that the QR skewers aren't as tight as before?
Could it be that the rims are worn to the point that they are not as stiff?

Mondoman

As do suggests, check out the wheel hubs too.

dabac

Unless you don't trust your own senses, it apparently can.

Only if taken to the extreme. Quote from here: "I measured the deflection of Wheel #2 while gradually loosening the spokes in quarter turn increments. The wheel did not display any significant change in stiffness until the spokes were so loose some became totally slack.

I think earlier posters have already covered most of the bases there.
One thing though - rider influence. Are you the same as when you first started using the bike? If you've gained weight, started carrying gear on your ride, become fitter/stronger, started riding more aggressively?
Any of these would put a heavier load on the wheels and change how they feel.