Wheel Migration

v3lvetpresley said:

Hi - I'm on a bit of a tight budget, so I bought a Halfords bike for £90 - just to get me to work and back. Anyway - I ended up getting a refund as the build was terrible, and the chain came off, and the brakes failed whilst I was hurtling towards a Lorry going down hill - that was scary - plus, the pedal actually cracked. One of the other problems I had with this bike (Apollo Slammer) was that the rear wheel kept migrating to the left, and the tyre would rub against that part of the frame (with me so far?) - that ended up with the biggest buckle in a wheel I have ever seen. They repaired it before I got my refund. I asked at the time if my size/weight - I'm 6ft 3, and 22 stones - was a factor. They said no.

I went down to my local independent cycle shop, and bought myself a Blue Rock bike for a bit more money. The problem with the wheel is happening again, and I'm worried. I now don't think it was the Halfords bike with regard to the wheel migrating, but that a) I'm too heavy to be riding bikes or b) I'm doing something wrong to make it do this.

Does anyone have any advice? I'm at a loss - I really need a bike, both to save money on petrol, and to lose weight.

If it sounds like I'm too damn heavy to ride without specialist wheels or whatever, feel free to say so - I won't be offended.

Thanks for listening, and... please help!!!

Your weight is a factor, but a properly specified and properly built rear wheel can deal with it.
Spoke alignment and proper tensioning and finishing of the wheel will help.
I am guessing that the "migration" is that the right side spokes are "bedding" towards the hub a very slight amount each revolution of the wheel. I have seen this happen on machine built wheels because there is much higher tension on the right side spokes and the machines don't do anything about spoke alignment at the hub or nipple ends.
It takes wheel building skills, time, effort, and good quality spokes to hold a heavier rider.

Sounds to me more like the quick release (or axle nuts) isn't tight enough. If you step hard on the right pedal and then the wheel shifts so that the tyre is rubbing against the left chainstay (near the seat tube) then the wheel is probably fine but you don't have it in tight enough. Could be other problems too, but have someone show you the proper way to put the wheel in the drop outs.