Rear wheel on tandem making worrying noises

[cisamcgu]

Hi all, my wife and I went out on the tandem on Sunday, just a quick pootle around, but the rear wheel started making loud "clicking" and "creaking" type noises. Mrs cisamcgu hopped off the back and I rode for 50m with no one at the rear and the sounds disappeared. The wheel is old, well the tandem is old really, it is a vintage Pashley, so I was wondering is it likely to be saveable, is it possible that it could be fixed DIY, or are we looking at some rather large expense getting a new wheel built (something I cannot afford really )

I realise that the answer is probably impossible to know, I'm just looking for hints, helpful advice and general encouragement

Cheers

Andrew

 

[Gravity Aided]

Probably not so bad as all that. What sort of hub is it, is it a single speed, 3 speed, or otherwise? I would check spoke tension first, and lube the hub. Also check the spokes. You might also check the rear bottom bracket and rear seat for the source of the noise.

 

[cisamcgu]

It is a hub brake/5 speed freewheel type hub. The spokes are a little "springy" and "loose" - would it be OK to just try tightening them with a spoke key - or am I liable to do more harm than good ?

 

[Gravity Aided]

That may be the problem, you may try to get the spokes taut, but a little bit goes a long way. If the wheel is true, you would have to tighten the spokes evenly in order to keep the wheel in true. There are lots of videos on the web about keeping bike wheels in true, and tightening spokes. I would look at some of them, and use this to determine whether the job is easy enough for you to do, or whether you would be better served by an LBS. You can do more harm than good. Some people claim the spoke key was invented by some bike shop mechanics looking to drum up a bit of business.

 

[biggs682]

get the lbs to grease up the bearings whilst they are doing spokes

 

[Globalti]

Definitely get those spokes tightened; they are under huge stress especially on the drive side. Check the bearings for play and roughness at the same time.

 

[Gippy]

Hiya, I signed up to Cyclechat just to offer advice on this as I ride a Pashley E-type tandem and know that specific information on them is difficult to come across.

Many models and variations of each were made over the years, but I guess that with a 5 speed block and drum brake it is most probably ('thou not definitely!) a D-type.

All the suggestions above are to be considered and there are others. The rear wheels on these were generally fitted with heavy gauge spokes and, over time, these can distort the spoke hole in the hub due to the drum brake locking, resulting in movement of the spokes at the hub. The solution I prefer is to replace the rim, (alloy rims in 26 x 1 3/8 are easier to find now thanks to the internet...£20 - 25 should get a fair quality Rigida rim). Replace spokes with standard gauge laced in a four cross pattern, (about £10) this give a little extra strength which was previously given by the thick spokes. Use spoke washers (about £1 a set) at the hub end just in case some holes have distorted to allow the standard gauge head to pull through!

Adjust the drum brake so that it does not lock...the drum brake is to slow down on descents, if it is locking under load damage will be the result. Always apply the drum brake gradually so there is no sudden grab.

With regard to adjusting the bearings; some of the Sachs drum brake hubs were fitted with a special bearing cage that helps set the drum in the correct position. These are now impossible to find. If you have to replace the bearings, I have used 6mm (rather than the usual 1/4") and this positions the drum correctly without using the cage.

If you don't feel confident in doing this work yourself a good wheel builder should be easy to find...its not really that much different from any other wheel.

Hope this helps.

 

[cisamcgu]

Gippy,
Thank you for that detailed and helpful reply. It is a D-type Pashley, I believe. I am thinking of taking the wheel into Evans next week so they can have a look at it, but are you suggesting that I would be better off getting a new wheel built around the current hub rather than attempting to fix the current wheel ?

Thanks
Andrew

 

[Globalti]

Evans? EVANS? You need to find a proper bike shop that specialises in building wheels, not a bike supermarket.

Nearest one I know to you is Paul Hewitt in Leyland but I'm sure there are other proper bike shops nearer to you.

 

[cisamcgu]

lol... OK, maybe not Evans then ..

I have found
http://petematthews.com/home/
http://www.hobsoncycles.co.uk/
http://www.pictoncycles.co.uk/information.php/info_id/1


anyone have any idea about these ?

 

[Gippy]

Gippy,
Thank you for that detailed and helpful reply. It is a D-type Pashley, I believe. I am thinking of taking the wheel into Evans next week so they can have a look at it, but are you suggesting that I would be better off getting a new wheel built around the current hub rather than attempting to fix the current wheel ?

Thanks
Andrew

Obviously that depends on what is causing the noise. There have been several areas suggested as suspected noise makers (wheels, seat post, bottom bracket, spoke tension, anyone mentioned the stoker's saddle?), without proper examination it could be any of those causing the problem. I offer the advice on rebuilding the wheel if it turns out that the spoke holes in the hub are the cause.

If you use the tandem regularly (or intend to) then I would suggest a re-build. If you intend to only use it for sunny-day fun then do whatever it takes to eliminate the noise. The wheel will give plenty of notice before it dies!

The current wheels are (I guess) the original chromed steel and the braking can be described, at best, as vague. Therefore many riders use the drag brake to aid normal braking with the resultant long term damage to the hub. Changing to alloy rims will improve normal braking and so there is less dependence on the hub brake for stopping power.

I agree with Globalti, look for a proper bike shop or specialist wheel builder...ask at your local bike club there may be someone who builds wheels who may see this as a bit of a challenge and rebuild the wheel for less than the cost of one hours labour at Evans.