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Wheel flex, or is this something else?

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Wheel flex, or is this something else?

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Old 05-06-11 | 06:37 PM
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From: Golden, CO
Wheel flex, or is this something else?

I have Mavic CXP22s on my new Roubaix, a pretty standard, cheap, heavy wheel.

When I take tight corners I usually hear a "ping" sound from the front wheel, usually only at lower speeds, but possibly just because I can't hear it when I'm doing 25-30mph. It sounds EXACTLY like a recently adjusted spoke sounds when you ride/put weight on it for the first time. Also, it only "pings" once, not with every rotation.

None of the spokes are broken, noticably looser than others, or catching on each other where they overlap from what I can tell.

I also notice a similar-ish odd sound if I'm off the bike, and just sort of bounce the front wheel on the ground. It's like something is loose and vibrating against something else, but I can't tell what.

I'll eventually have the shop look at it if I can't get rid of it. Any ideas?
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Old 05-06-11 | 06:58 PM
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From: Jax, FL
They have double walls. Maybe there is something loose inside the hole. Take the wheel off and shake it up.

Or it could be that one of the nipple holes is bigger than it should be, so the nipple goes through it at times.
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Old 05-06-11 | 07:32 PM
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From: Santa Cruz Mountains
Originally Posted by Kind of Blued
I have Mavic CXP22s on my new Roubaix, a pretty standard, cheap, heavy wheel.
If it's a new bike, bring it back for its 30 day checkup. Most LBSs around here offer that for free on new bikes that they sell. Often the wheels will need to be retensioned. If your LBS doesn't do that as part of the free checkup, or doesn't do that, then pay them the $10 or whatever to do both wheels. Machine built wheels often have low and somewhat uneven tension. Tensioning them right will make them last longer.

There could also be something loose inside the wheel. Mavic rims are known for that. I think it's shards from the rim joining process.
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Old 05-12-11 | 11:14 AM
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Bikes: Trek Fuel 90, Giant OCR, Rans Screamer Tandem

+1 on re tensioning. I would also stress relieve the spokes as I do this to take out any of these residual stresses that are "relieving themselves" as you ride.
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