CopperCyclist
Veteran
I think I've identified the problem anyway... here's my symptoms...
Bike has developed a nasty 'rattle' when moving. Rattle can be heard whether I am pedalling or freewheeling, and also the 'clicking' part of the rattle I think I can feel slightly through my feet. At first I thought my BB was going, but as there is no change to the rattle when I stop pedalling and allow the bike to freewheel, I figured that ruled out the BB?
When I get off the bike, I can pick it up and shake it and I hear nothing at all. When I push the bike along, I can hear the rattle, but very slightly - its significantly loud when on the bike, and 'you won't notice it if you weren't trying' when simply pushing the bike along by hand.
When I spin the front wheel it's utterly smooth and silent. When I spin the back wheel, it seems smooth, but I can faintly hear 'clicks' that sound like the rattle, but it's very very quiet. Obviously this is with no weight on the bike - if the bearings in my rear wheel are going, does this follow that the rattle would be much louder with weight on the wheel, than simply lifting the bike up and spinning the rear?
Lastly, if the rattle is the bearings in my rear wheel failing, how urgent do I need to replace them? I'd be taking it to the LBS over rest days, but I have one more night shift commute in - can I risk it, or is it a problem that needs immediate attention and I shouldn't ride til fixed?
Many thanks for any help/advice!
Bike has developed a nasty 'rattle' when moving. Rattle can be heard whether I am pedalling or freewheeling, and also the 'clicking' part of the rattle I think I can feel slightly through my feet. At first I thought my BB was going, but as there is no change to the rattle when I stop pedalling and allow the bike to freewheel, I figured that ruled out the BB?
When I get off the bike, I can pick it up and shake it and I hear nothing at all. When I push the bike along, I can hear the rattle, but very slightly - its significantly loud when on the bike, and 'you won't notice it if you weren't trying' when simply pushing the bike along by hand.
When I spin the front wheel it's utterly smooth and silent. When I spin the back wheel, it seems smooth, but I can faintly hear 'clicks' that sound like the rattle, but it's very very quiet. Obviously this is with no weight on the bike - if the bearings in my rear wheel are going, does this follow that the rattle would be much louder with weight on the wheel, than simply lifting the bike up and spinning the rear?
Lastly, if the rattle is the bearings in my rear wheel failing, how urgent do I need to replace them? I'd be taking it to the LBS over rest days, but I have one more night shift commute in - can I risk it, or is it a problem that needs immediate attention and I shouldn't ride til fixed?
Many thanks for any help/advice!