Wheel settles with stem on top!
09-01-20, 06:17 PM
#1
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Wheel settles with stem on top!
Back in the day, my dad would tell me if you spun the front wheel and it settled with the stem at 6:00...it meant you had the axle bearings set and lubed properly. Interestingly, after many trials, this wheel settles with the stem on top, as pictured.
My only explanation is that the hole in the rim, and lightweight presta stem, actually makes that side lighter than the decal opposite the stem.
Any other thoughts on this mystery?
My only explanation is that the hole in the rim, and lightweight presta stem, actually makes that side lighter than the decal opposite the stem.
Any other thoughts on this mystery?
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09-01-20, 06:21 PM
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There is a metal tubular sleeve that connects the rim joint 180-degrees from the valve stem.
09-01-20, 06:22 PM
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Modern rims are pinned with steel pins. This makes the seam, which is opposite the valve the heavy side of the rim. So, you bearings and wheel is good.
09-01-20, 08:07 PM
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Makes good sense, thanks for the explanation.
I knew it had to be something other than a heavy decal...
I knew it had to be something other than a heavy decal...
09-02-20, 01:58 PM
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The rim decal is made of lead .....
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09-02-20, 02:10 PM
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You guys are ignoring the obvious answer, the wheel just stops at that point by chance. It's pure coincidence. Every time. 
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09-02-20, 02:23 PM
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The bearing race indexes it to that location every time.
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09-02-20, 04:30 PM
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You guys are so clever, I'm not buying that "always stops in the same place indexing wheel" story. A free spinning wheel, with quality bearings adjusted correctly will always stop with the weight toward the center of the earth.
67tony has set up a scene to fool all of us. He created a room where the ceiling is made to look like concrete, the chair and floor pump (good prop 67tony ) is attached to the ceiling, the tool cabinet is actually attached to both the wall and the ceiling. He also staged the pencil holders by probably pouring some goop into the cup and letting it harden then gluing the cup to the tool chest. The final piece is the bicycle which is placed in a bike repair stand with the handlebars held in place out of the photo.
So, indeed the valve stem is heavier, but we have been tricked.
67tony has set up a scene to fool all of us. He created a room where the ceiling is made to look like concrete, the chair and floor pump (good prop 67tony ) is attached to the ceiling, the tool cabinet is actually attached to both the wall and the ceiling. He also staged the pencil holders by probably pouring some goop into the cup and letting it harden then gluing the cup to the tool chest. The final piece is the bicycle which is placed in a bike repair stand with the handlebars held in place out of the photo.
So, indeed the valve stem is heavier, but we have been tricked.
09-02-20, 06:45 PM
#10
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Car and motorcycle tires often have "balance marks" on them. In the photo below, the red dots are on the lightest part of the tire and when mounted are placed next to the valve stem (generally the heaviest part of the wheel). When balancing the wheel / tire combo this allows the use of as little add on weight as possible.
Bicycle tires are much smaller, but there must be some manufacturing inconsistencies in them also. As an experiment it would be interesting to see if you get the same valve at the top situation when the tire is mounted 180 degrees from it's current position. (Tire label to rim label). While you have the tire and tube off might as well try the bare wheel also and see where that lands (valve hole at top?)
Bicycle tires are much smaller, but there must be some manufacturing inconsistencies in them also. As an experiment it would be interesting to see if you get the same valve at the top situation when the tire is mounted 180 degrees from it's current position. (Tire label to rim label). While you have the tire and tube off might as well try the bare wheel also and see where that lands (valve hole at top?)
Last edited by Cyclist3098765; 09-02-20 at 06:58 PM.
09-03-20, 01:12 PM
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Lots of good surmising going on, but I'm tending towards the first two responses...that the rim seam has extra weight due to the steel pins used. I will, though, out of curiosity, try the same experiment without the tire or tube.
Oh, wait, I just sold the bike yesterday, so that point is moot!
Oh, wait, I just sold the bike yesterday, so that point is moot!
09-03-20, 01:28 PM
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A moot point to counter your point of moot...if the wheels haven't been dynamically balanced...oh, you get the picture 
09-03-20, 05:06 PM
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OR the built wheel is not 100% round, and bulged slightly to the 'heavy' side...
OR the tire/tube/rim strip have a heavy spot...
So, the question I gotta ask is how does it balance WITHOUT the tire/tube/rim tape? That'll be the telling factor!
OR the tire/tube/rim strip have a heavy spot...
So, the question I gotta ask is how does it balance WITHOUT the tire/tube/rim tape? That'll be the telling factor!
