Hey all. I just picked up a set of DT Swiss wheels for my c'dale. Ever since I installed them, the back wheel will turn left and start rubbing the frame. Its in the drop outs nice a tight, and straight...as soon as I peddle, its almost like the torque from the peddling is making the wheel shift inside the drop outs. You can literally loosen up the back skewer and see the wheel set back in. I figured I'd replace the skewer, didnt help much. The guys up at the LBS said the hub is compatible (dirty flea hub). Is it possible for the drop outs to wear down? I'm outta ideas at this point. Any help is appreciated.
So confused...back wheel popping out of frame?
99SX
21 - 40 of 41 Posts
Joined
·
699 Posts
I see nothing wrong with those dropouts. The next step is to remove the skewer from the wheel and place it in the dropouts. The part that touches the dropout is the axle. It should be narrower than the dropout, and centered. No part of that axle should protrude beyond the outside edges (or even touch) the edges of the dropout, and by the edges I mean the left/right edge.99SX said:
To put it another way, when you put the skewer back in. The clamping mechanism should touch _only_ the dropout. If it clamps at all to the axle, you'll have exactly the trouble you're describing.
I know it's hard to put into words. If you still don't understand let me know and I'll try to come up with a picture or drawing to illustrate.
Joined
·
3,688 Posts
You could try and trouble shoot this out by putting a thin washer on each side of the axel, then putting the skewer on, then put the wheel on the bike.....making sure the washers stay on the inside of the axel, closest to the wheel. that will space the axel shorter and give you more grip at the dropout. I did this before to troubleshoot this exact same problem and it worked.....turned out that the wheel builder left out a couple washers when he greased the hub. Easy temp fix. If it fixes the problem I wouldn't recomend to ride around like that, but at least you can rule out the frame if it fixes it. If it works, then you need to add an axel washer to the stack.......If the wheel turns left, then you are missing a washer on the right side. I'll try to make a diagram for you.
Joined
·
3,688 Posts
Hahaha......Ok, I'ma draw one by hand right now and post it up....I can't find my instal for any of my graphic programs, which have yet to be installed on my new computer. I forgot i had a scanner so I will hand draw it, and I'll try to do one that explains what Cali L33 was trying to explain too.......lets see how long it takes me.........11:58pm.....START!!!!!markymark said:I'm looking forward to all these diagrams
Joined
·
3,688 Posts
OK, these crappy drawings should give you an idea what we are talking about. They are in the orientation if the frame were flipped upside down, derailuer on the left.
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
Joined
·
3,688 Posts
If my kindergarden drawings don't help, let me know and I'll try to do a photo shoot tomorrow after easter dinner for you. Adding washers is the easiest way to troubleshoot this problem. If you have a junky hub that you can take the axel off of, that is the best way to get the washers you need. they are really thin......you want the washers that go inbetween the cone and the nut that hold the axel onto the hub.
Joined
·
693 Posts
Most effort to help out a fellow mtb'er ever! Good work man.
Thats the most help anyones ever given me on a forum. straight up artist here haha. I really appreciate it. Now about those little springs on the drop outs. I'm gonna go try this today. I owe you one savage. :rockon:savagemann said:
Joined
·
3,688 Posts
No problem man. Just helping out a fellow biker.Let us know if this helps the trouble shoot. You want super thing washers.......super thin......= )
Hey all..its been a while but heres the update. The frame had the proper spacing but it was still sliding around. So I took it to the LBS and they replaced the quick release with a straight axel. My first time out afterwards, no rubbing at all. Second time out, the rear wheels rubbing just as bad as it did with the quick release. I hate to say it, but I'm very close to swapping the frame. After 3 quick release skewers and 1 thru axel, its still rubbing. I even got a smaller tire like the mechanic said. The paint on the part of the left chain stay is totally gone where the tire rubs. The mechanic said it could eventually rub a hole into the frame. Now what??
Joined
·
1,605 Posts
time to warranty it! or just upgrade...
Joined
·
1,472 Posts
savage, you are my hero.
Joined
·
699 Posts
If the shop wrench can't figure it out it's time to find a new shop. There can't be 'nothing wrong' and you have a wheel rubbing- can't happen- that's the definition of 'something wrong' and no bike was ever designed or sold with rubbing wheels.99SX said:
I also think you're getting confused in terminology. The axle and the skewer are two completely different things. The axle is part of the wheel. If you remove the skewer you can hold the axle and the wheel will rotate on its bearings. The only purpose of the skewer is to hold the axle in proper position in the frame. Either this isn't happening, or you've got bad bearings allowing the wheel to flop around which should be obvious. In either case a mechanic should be able to figure out what's wrong in 30 seconds.
I don't know if it's been covered, but skewers have to be REALLY tight. You should be able to move the lever with your hand, but only with difficulty. If you close the quick release and your hand isn't marked it isn't tight enough.
One more thing that I don't know if it's been covered or not- and I hate to bring it up because it sounds like you had a ride with no rubbing, but did you put some monster wide tires on it? Frames have maximum allowable tire sizes. The manufacturer should be able to tell you what the biggest tire you can run is.
There really aren't that many things that can cause rubbing-
-skewer improper clamping
-bent frame
-over-wide tires
-bad wheel bearings (really bad, should be easy to find)
-anybody got any others?
Seriously, maybe give the shop one more try, but after that go somewhere else.
Joined
·
257 Posts
I just found this tread. those pictures are great! Puts Zinns book to shame! totally awesome.
Joined
·
1,822 Posts
Love that drawing! I even counted 9 cogs on the cassette.:thumbsup:
Joined
·
302 Posts
I had the same issue with a 2001 F900. No matter how much I tightened the skewer it would shift. Cannondale warrentied the frame, and upgraded it to a Jekyll. No problems with the Jekyll. Contact Cannondale.
21 - 40 of 41 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
