Rhythmic rubbing sound from front wheel when applying the brakes

[Wolf616]

I love cycling, but one thing that always irks me is every day there's a new noise I hear that plagues my mind with worries about whether it's all going to collapse beneath me.

This morning on the way to work this noise was, as the title suggests, a rhythmic rubbing sound from the front wheel when the brakes are being applied. I've tried putting the bike upside down and running the wheel and it's running fine with no sounds or noticeable slowdown. The only thing that's changed between yesterday's cycle home and this morning is that the front wheel rolled off of a very small step this morning, twisted to the left and made a bit of a metallic clang as the end of the hub caught the step. I don't think this caused any damage, but clearly with the new noise something has changed...

Any ideas? I've searched the internet but most threads seem to be about a noise when not applying the brakes.

 

[Cyclist33]

Take a video of it, otherwise it's pure guesswork on here!

As a first step, try taking the wheel off the bike then putting it back on and re-seating it making sure it's in straight.

If it isn't in straight, and assuming your brake callipers are aligned centrally to the fork, then when you apply the brake one side's pad will engage first which will cause rub. The same would happen if wheel is straight but brake calliper has been knocked off line.

Also is your tyre inflated enough and or are there any uneven parts around the tyre? And are the brake pads set so they engage the rim and not the tyre? If they were set up too high up their mounting arms they could quite easily rub the tyre, when tyre's logo and inflation advice go past this might cause a rub akin to a muted drumming sound.

 

[robjh]

What do you mean 'rhythmic'? Once per revolution?
If so I would check your rims urgently for bulges. If the rim itself is smooth but is now out of true at one point them it is probably just a matter of adjusting a spoke or two. If however you notice a localised lump or deformation in the rim them it could be on the way to splitting, and that it something you don't want when riding. When it happened to me, a rhythmic thump-thump-thump when applying the brakes was the first sign.

 

[lpretro1]

As above - especially where the rim joint is - it can get worn/raised and cause this problem

 

[Wolf616]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

I'm still at work so won't be able to do anything drastic until this evening, but I've checked the rim and there are no lumps or deformations (except for a slight scratch on one bit, but that looks more cosmetic than anything else) so thankfully it would appear the wheel is not about to collapse (famous last words?). The bike is only 2 months old, so for that to have happened would have been a little bit worrying to say the least!

 

[vickster]

Wheel out of true?