The last few times I've been riding I would hear my derailer hitting my spokes in the lowest gear. I did seem to get worse. So as not to distrupt my ride, I just didn't use that gear and I figured I would fix it when I got home. Before I got home I got a flat in my rear tire.
I had my wife come get me and when I got home I fixed the flat and was going to adjust the derailer. I noticed that the derailer didn't hit the spokes when I turned the crank by hand. This got me thinking... Is it a spoke problem or a derailer that needs adjusted? I did get a flat in the rear tire and maybe it's related or just a coincidence.
I checked the every spoke and they all seem tight, plus it was hitting more than one spoke when I was riding. Is this because when I sit on the bike the pressure causes the spokes to flex a little? Thanks for the help.
The last few times I've been riding I would hear my derailer hitting my spokes in the lowest gear. I did seem to get worse. So as not to distrupt my ride, I just didn't use that gear and I figured I would fix it when I got home. Before I got home I got a flat in my rear tire.
Either your derailleur limit stops have been changefd, or your hanger has been bent (as per retro's suggestion).
The last few times I've been riding I would hear my derailer hitting my spokes in the lowest gear. I did seem to get worse. So as not to distrupt my ride, I just didn't use that gear and I figured I would fix it when I got home. Before I got home I got a flat in my rear tire.
I had my wife come get me and when I got home I fixed the flat and was going to adjust the derailer. I noticed that the derailer didn't hit the spokes when I turned the crank by hand. This got me thinking... Is it a spoke problem or a derailer that needs adjusted? I did get a flat in the rear tire and maybe it's related or just a coincidence.
I checked the every spoke and they all seem tight, plus it was hitting more than one spoke when I was riding. Is this because when I sit on the bike the pressure causes the spokes to flex a little? Thanks for the help.
RD hanger alignment, RD Stop adjustment, Postion of the wheel in the drops outs .... any or all of these can cause the problem. Whatever it is should be fixed before you ride again or very expensive repairs on your bicycle and possible medical expenses to the rider can result if the chain/RD gets drug into the rear wheel.
I adjusted the derailer low gear setting by turning the screw 1/2 turn clockwise, and it no longer rubs against the spokes. I took it out for a little spin and everything seemed fine. Do you think I should still have it looked at?
The bike sat for a few years without riding. My dad gave it to me and I rode it for about a week before I noticed the rubbing.
I adjusted the derailer low gear setting by turning the screw 1/2 turn clockwise, and it no longer rubs against the spokes. I took it out for a little spin and everything seemed fine. Do you think I should still have it looked at?
The bike sat for a few years without riding. My dad gave it to me and I rode it for about a week before I noticed the rubbing.
Yes, I suggest a trip to a good bicycle shop. It is important to know if the RD hanger is bent or needs adjustment. It is also important to know how to get the rear wheel in the rear drop outs and secured so it will never move while you are riding (this is a very common problem with new riders and/or riders not familiar with the QR skewer and how to adjust & tighten it). I suppose it is also possible that the rear drop outs are out of line.... but my specualation doesn't assist in resolving the issue(s) Limit adjustments and RD cable adjustments are also important. You need to understand what issues are involved. Having an accident or a close call can be avoided now that you know that something needs attention.
Yes, I suggest a trip to a good bicycle shop. It is important to know if the RD hanger is bent or needs adjustment. It is also important to know how to get the rear wheel in the rear drop outs and secured so it will never move while you are riding (this is a very common problem with new riders and/or riders not familiar with the QR skewer and how to adjust & tighten it). I suppose it is also possible that the rear drop outs are out of line.... but my specualation doesn't assist in resolving the issue(s) Limit adjustments and RD cable adjustments are also important. You need to understand what issues are involved. Having an accident or a close call can be avoided now that you know that something needs attention.
+1 Dave. I just wrecked a Derailluer with what I thought was a good adjustment. I had the same spoke issue. It worked a few times then I tried my low gear again and... I don't want to talk about it. Parts and pieces were on the road and 1 mile walk back to the car. Suffice to say, a frame and derailluer hanger alignment job appeared into my life. Also, I'm looking for a Record 8 speed, short cage if anyone has one they want to sell?
I had this problem....darned annoying. It was a case of several issues at once. 1) adjusted derailleur - more than once. 2) Ground down the screw ends for the pulleys 3) Shimano R500(training wheels/bike) spokes loosening(hitting derailleur) and extra wheel flex 4) wheels flexing going up hills - so needed the lowest gear at times hence derailleur rubbing
I adjusted the derailleur several times and had three broken spokes(3 seperate incidence) which I replaced. Locktited the spokes which kept coming loose. Now take a spoke key with me which I have never done with any other set of wheels(in 2 decades!)
I had this problem....darned annoying. It was a case of several issues at once. 1) adjusted derailleur - more than once. 2) Ground down the screw ends for the pulleys 3) Shimano R500(training wheels/bike) spokes loosening(hitting derailleur) and extra wheel flex 4) wheels flexing going up hills - so needed the lowest gear at times hence derailleur rubbing
I adjusted the derailleur several times and had three broken spokes(3 seperate incidence) which I replaced. Locktited the spokes which kept coming loose. Now take a spoke key with me which I have never done with any other set of wheels(in 2 decades!)
This posting reminds me that the geometry of some wheels is "extreme"... and another potential issue is wheel centering (A. K. A. wheel dish). Yes, some of the low spoke count wheels are so much less stiff that they move under load to the point where RD in the spokes 🙁
I am going to get it looked at today. I don't know if this makes a difference, but I am pretty heavy at 230 lbs. Plus I started adding more air in my tires. I started at 90 because when I put 75 (max for tire) the tire bubbled out a lot and I was afraid of damaging the rim. 90 psi rode so much better I went to 100. 100 rode great so I tried 110. My dad seems to think that all that tire pressure put more pressure on the spokes and caused the rubbing.
Anyway, thanks for all the replies. I appreciate all the advice.
