Low humming in rear wheel problem
 

Hey all!
Finally went on a little ride given the good weather and while I was riding I noticed a low humming/dragging feeling in the rear wheel...the best way I can describe it is similar to the feeling of the drag/resistance you get from riding on the trainer. I cant hear it or anything but I can feel it with my butt (no jokes please) if that makes sense.
Anyone have any clue to what I'm experiencing??

Did you make sure to remove your bike from the trainer?

i thought for sure some wise ass would ask the OP to identify the tune

A couple of years ago a regular rider in our group was having trouble keeping up. Upon going back to see if he was ok it was observed that the rear brake pad was rubbing against the wheel. It is really hard to pedal with that drag on the wheel.

If not that then is the rear skewer tightened and the wheel centered? As a last thought, wheel bearings shot? How many miles on the wheels?

Hahah no no the brake is not rubbing whatsoever.. that would be a bit obvious. The rubbing is not constant.. it comes and goes at random times. The skewer is tightened sufficiently and the wheel is centered. Hmm..not sure about the wheel bearings.. how exactly would I tell if they were bad?

Pick the back wheel up off the ground and spin it. Can you hear any thing?
Is there any play in the bearings, side to side wiggle in the wheel with no
weight on it? Does it spin free?

Bent axle? Fishing line in the hub?

does it happen when your in the highest gear on the rear cassette? have you figured out what was causing the noise?

axle cone may be shot. ie rebuild hub.

You can try the poor man's stethescope. With bike in stand (or upside down on the carpet) form a "Hang Loose" salute with your hand. Jam your thumb in your earhole and rest your pinky against the QR. Carefully pedal bike and listen.

It's usually better to have a good identical wheel to compare against, but...

Yes it does!! Im still playing around with it and testing suggested things but I still havent found anything definitive..

If your in the small cog on the rear cassette, that humming noise is normal. Every bike Ive worked on does it in the 11T or 12T cog. Im guessing it might be due to the tight wrap of the chain on a small cog.