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Front Wheel Pings After Putting Wheel on Backwards

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jscott36

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Hi. This is my first post. Thanks everyone for such a great site.

I've been having this problem recently, and I thought I'd see if anyone is familiar with this

king of thing.

Somehow I managed to put my front wheel on backwards one day, with the quick-release

on the wrong side, and now, after having put the wheel back to its original side, the

spokes ping when I go along. In addition to it being annoying, its also pretty

embarrassing riding down the street with my bike making all this noise.

I tried using Bioshield T9 throughout the spokes and nipples, but it didn't work. The

problem has persisted for many months now.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could do? Do you think this requires that I

have the wheel rebuilt?

Any thoughts would be truly appreciated.

Thanks.

BTW, I ride a 1991 Bridgestone MB-2, and the front rim is a Ritchey Vantage Expert with a

Shimano DX hub.

*Edit* Because the problem persists I created a video of the noise as I hear it on my bike.

*also, I removed a fun clip I had here of a family dog.

[URL="
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Hi Mike,

Thanks for the warm welcome.

That ride in the video was more of an animal rescue mission. It was for a family member's

dog that doesn't get any exercise at all. Always fun to be on the bike, though.
 
#4 ·
jscott36 said:
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the warm welcome.
That ride in the video was more of an animal rescue mission. It was for a family member's
dog that doesn't get any exercise at all. Always fun to be on the bike, though.
Click to expand...
I was just pulling your leg jscott. The dog looked happy and had a smile on its face. On the wheel topic - I couldn't think what the problem could be. That's a new one. All I can suggest is that you should get the spoke tension checked. It's possible, with the wheel being that old and probably machine built, that it's got very low tension and the spokes are flexing all over the place. Find someone competent (!!) and have it evaluated.

I think this was my 5000th post. Woot-woot.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Hi Mike,

Congratulations! I think that was your 5000th post. That's awesome.

I think you've got me headed in the right direction. I'm not sure how I can get out of this

without taking it to a well-regarded LBS, but I'll give it a little more time. I appreciate your

help.
 
#6 ·
jscott36 said:
Hi Mike,
Congratulations! I think that was your 5000th post. That's awesome.
I think you've got me headed in the right direction. I'm not sure how I can get out of this
without taking it to a well-regarded LBS, but I'll give it a little more time. I appreciate your help.
Click to expand...
Someone brighter than me might come along with a better solution. While you're waiting read my wheelbuilding web page. It might motivate you to check this wheel out yourself.
 
Discussion starter · #8 · (Edited)
Hi.

It only makes the pinging sounds when there is weight on the bike. I did check the computer magnet.

It seems to be pretty clear to me that it has something to do with the spokes in this case. Strange thing, though.

Sometimes when the temperature is just right, it doesn't make any noise at all. However, the

other day when I rode in about 35 degrees (F) it was pinging all over the place.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Hi Mike,

After reading your post I went out and took the bike off the hook and checked the spokes.

They're all more of less the same tension. Thanks for the tip, though. Hopefully it will be

something simple like this.
 
#11 ·
Pinging sure sounds like a spoke problem, possible a defective nipple.


Try checking the spokes again, but pluck them, one at a time, like a guitar strings (if you didn't the first time). Your ears are even better than the squeeze test for isolating wonky spokes

It also will point out a bad nipple (rare but they can go wonky.

Check the valve as well, it's got to be something!!!
 
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Discussion starter · #12 ·
Hi Froggy97. I went back a moment ago and plucked all the spokes. I didn't find the problem, but it was interesting to hear a wide range of different tones throughout the wheel. I'm thinking they should all sound the same.

The valved looked good. Tomorrow I might remove the small bike computer "sensor" fastened to two spokes, and held with a philips head screw, to see if it makes a difference.
 
#14 ·
clark said:
stress relieve the wheel by trying to fold it in half with elbows forearms and lap. Rotate every set of 3 spokes, flip repeat.

see if it stays true... it won'rt creak again on the bike.
Click to expand...
This won't stress relieve the wheel because it can't bring up the spoke tension enough. One can stress relieve by squeezing pairs of spokes.

As for spoke tension, if you pluck the spokes, they should make a distinctive tone and not a dull thunk (too loose).

It's also possible that the clicking is a loose joint in the rim. When the extruded aluminum is welded together to make a loop, this little chunk of metal is used to hold the two ends together. Sometimes this is loose and can rattle around the rim. (no structural risk, just noise) This is usually located opposite the valve hole.
 
#16 ·
That wasn't any help. Are you pedaling or not while it's doing this noise? Can you install another wheel for comparison purposes? Is there tension in the spokes? (meaning, do you get a plucked "Ping", a "Pong" or the dreaded "Plupp")
 
#19 ·
Putting the wheel on backward wouldn't do anything, except make your tread point the wrong direction if the tire has directional tread. A noise like that could be any number of things other than the wheel. Do you have a buddy you could swap wheels with?
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
Thanks Nov0798. I live in MA, but I appreciate you offering to help.

Spsoon, that sounds like a good idea, swapping wheels. But I don't have a buddy I ride

with close by. I think you're right, though, in that it could be any number of things.

I guess it wouldn't hurt at this point to swing by a shop. It would be great just to figure this

out. I'll be sure, though, to come back with the answer to the problem if this is what I end

up doing.
 
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