Tracking down a rattle, any guesses?
#1
Thread Starter
Have bike, will travel
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,286
Likes: 317
From: Lake Geneva, WI
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Tracking down a rattle, any guesses?
I just completed a restoration of a classic and installed a used wheelset with a Shimano 600 Tri-color hubs. I'm using Shimano XT 12-28 eight speed cassette.
The rear wheel spins quietly and smoothly on the repair stand but rattles when ridden. The pattern of the sound is in synch with every rev of the wheel. Assuming that the hub bearings needed service, I had the hub professionally disassembled, cleaned and rebuilt. The mechanic told me the hub was clean and the balls & races were in perfect condition. A hub service with fresh grease every 20 years was worth while in any event.
I thought this would eliminate the noise, but the rattle continues. I changed the rear derailleur for unrelated reasons. The noise is constant while rolling and coasting does not reduce or change the sound in any way.
What should I look at next?
The rear wheel spins quietly and smoothly on the repair stand but rattles when ridden. The pattern of the sound is in synch with every rev of the wheel. Assuming that the hub bearings needed service, I had the hub professionally disassembled, cleaned and rebuilt. The mechanic told me the hub was clean and the balls & races were in perfect condition. A hub service with fresh grease every 20 years was worth while in any event.
I thought this would eliminate the noise, but the rattle continues. I changed the rear derailleur for unrelated reasons. The noise is constant while rolling and coasting does not reduce or change the sound in any way.
What should I look at next?
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,657
Likes: 1,117
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
See if the Presta valve stem is rattling inside its hole in the rim. A wrap of tape or a small piece of plastic tubing will quiet this down.
#3
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,864
From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Rattling the same while pedaling or coasting virtually eliminates the chain and derailleur, since they don't move when coasting. Since the bearings are clean, we can eliminate those as well (anyway they rarely cause rattling).
My best guess without more info, is a loose spoke, or if the wheel is very old, a loose rim eyelet, or spokes pinging at the crosses. (spokes pinging at the cross is a unique sound so, I'd pass on it for now).
Squeeze all the spokes at the crosses and see if any feel looser. Also spin the wheel closely and eyeball of any rim eyelet that looks like it's pulling out of the rim a bit.
My best guess without more info, is a loose spoke, or if the wheel is very old, a loose rim eyelet, or spokes pinging at the crosses. (spokes pinging at the cross is a unique sound so, I'd pass on it for now).
Squeeze all the spokes at the crosses and see if any feel looser. Also spin the wheel closely and eyeball of any rim eyelet that looks like it's pulling out of the rim a bit.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#4
Thread Starter
Have bike, will travel
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,286
Likes: 317
From: Lake Geneva, WI
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
I agree that the sound might be related to a loose eyelet.
I was wondering, could it be the ratchet mechanism or anything else in the freehub?
I was wondering, could it be the ratchet mechanism or anything else in the freehub?
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
#5
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,864
From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
The OP says it's the same pedaling and coasting. That generally rules out the freehub.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#6
Really Old Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,536
Likes: 1,797
From: Mid Willamette Valley, Orygun
Bikes: 87 RockHopper,2008 Specialized Globe. Both upgraded to 9 speeds. 2019 Giant Explore E+3
Does it do it in all cogs on the cassette?
IF only the largest cog, check to make sure the RDER isn't "plucking" a spoke.
IF only the largest cog, check to make sure the RDER isn't "plucking" a spoke.
#7
Thread Starter
Have bike, will travel
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,286
Likes: 317
From: Lake Geneva, WI
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
all the time and all gear combinations.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,657
Likes: 1,117
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
#9
Thread Starter
Have bike, will travel
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,286
Likes: 317
From: Lake Geneva, WI
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 348
Likes: 1
From: Singapore
Bikes: Litespeed Ti Mtb, BikeE Recumbent, Cannondale H600 Hybrid,
While changing a new rim tape on an old wheel, I spin the axle on my hand and there was a rattle, shook it...yes there was that rattle again. Took off the old rim tape and shook it until a broken nipple dropped out of the rim. Apparently, when the broken spoke was being replaced, they put in a new spoke and nipple without removing the broken off piece that had dropped inside the double walled rim.
Last edited by TiBikeGuy; 07-15-13 at 05:00 AM.
#11
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 919
Likes: 15
From: South Austin, Texas
Bikes: 2010 Origin8 CX700, 2003 Cannondale Backroads Cross Country, 1997 Trek mtn steel frame converted commuter/tourer, 1983 Univega Sportour, 2010 Surly LHT, Others...
Have the wheels been rebuilt or spokes replaced ?
Check for a loose nipple in the rim.....
Check for a loose nipple in the rim.....
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Bay, Florida
Bikes: 87 Bridgestone 550 (Shocking Electric Metallic Pink)
I can SEE how that would happen...dropped a nipple inside once and had a time getting it to come out...had to give it a few (Gentle) smacks!





