Clunking sound when I brake?

"Gooserider" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

When I apply my front brake firmly, there's an intermittent clunking
sound. The wheel looks to be true. My repair book(Bicycling repair guide)
says this is a dent in the wheel. Any other ideas?

Mike

Are your screws loose. No joke intended

Gooserider said:

When I apply my front brake firmly, there's an intermittent clunking sound.
The wheel looks to be true. My repair book(Bicycling repair guide) says this
is a dent in the wheel. Any other ideas?

Mike

My guess, uneven braking surface.

Gooserider said:

When I apply my front brake firmly, there's an intermittent clunking
sound. The wheel looks to be true. My repair book(Bicycling repair
guide) says this is a dent in the wheel. Any other ideas?

Loose headset.

Gooserider said:

When I apply my front brake firmly, there's an intermittent clunking sound.
The wheel looks to be true. My repair book(Bicycling repair guide) says this
is a dent in the wheel. Any other ideas?

Mike

Is there a dent in the wheel? You might not be able to see it easily,
but feel it with your finger while spinning the wheel.

"Gooserider" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

When I apply my front brake firmly, there's an intermittent clunking
sound. The wheel looks to be true. My repair book(Bicycling repair guide)
says this is a dent in the wheel. Any other ideas?

Mike

I had this once and it was the joint where the rim is joined, slight
difference in the surface.

Gooserider said:

When I apply my front brake firmly, there's an intermittent clunking sound.
The wheel looks to be true. My repair book(Bicycling repair guide) says this
is a dent in the wheel. Any other ideas?

Mike

Brake hitting the rim seam, if it has one? If so, a little emery paper
to make it smooth-

Bill Sornson said:

Gooserider said:

When I apply my front brake firmly, there's an intermittent clunking
sound. The wheel looks to be true. My repair book(Bicycling repair
guide) says this is a dent in the wheel. Any other ideas?

Loose headset.

That's certainly worth a look. Especially if there is an absence of
grabbing or roughness in the braking action (as caused by an uneven
seam, etc.).

"Bill Sornson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Gooserider said:

When I apply my front brake firmly, there's an intermittent clunking
sound. The wheel looks to be true. My repair book(Bicycling repair
guide) says this is a dent in the wheel. Any other ideas?

Loose headset.

Ding ding ding ding! We have a winner! Yes, that was it. After you suggested
this I checked the Park Tool website and they also described the problem as
a loose headset. I followed their directions and now the problem is gone.
Thanks, Bill.

Gooserider said:

"Bill Sornson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Gooserider said:

When I apply my front brake firmly, there's an intermittent clunking
sound. The wheel looks to be true. My repair book(Bicycling repair
guide) says this is a dent in the wheel. Any other ideas?

Loose headset.

Ding ding ding ding! We have a winner! Yes, that was it. After you
suggested this I checked the Park Tool website and they also
described the problem as a loose headset. I followed their directions
and now the problem is gone. Thanks, Bill.

I always say "loose headset". It's my thing. :-)

Bill said:

Bill Sornson said:

Gooserider said:

"Bill Sornson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
> Loose headset.
Ding ding ding ding! We have a winner! Yes, that was it. After you
suggested this I checked the Park Tool website and they also
described the problem as a loose headset. I followed their
directions and now the problem is gone. Thanks, Bill.

I always say "loose headset". It's my thing. :-)

Sure is.
I would have thought that most if not all riders who post to this
group would do a safety check before setting out.
This is supposed to be the anti-car, safety plus group, right?
I won't fly in a small plane without doing the walk around check
because, really, who wants a wing falling off, and you're going "I
thought I checked everything". Out of the 3 bikes I use a lot there is
usually something a little bit loose maybe once a week.
Maintenance is best done before the failure.
Bill Baka

Nice lecture, Iron Bill! LOL (Hint: a slightly loose headset isn't really
a safety issue. As in this case, it will announce its presence to an alert
rider/owner in plenty of time to be fixed prior to causing any damage and
/then/ perhaps a little danger.)

Bill "I just hate clunks, myself" S.

"Bill Sornson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Bill said:

Bill Sornson said:

Gooserider wrote:
> "Bill Sornson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
> news:[email hidden]...
>> Loose headset.
> Ding ding ding ding! We have a winner! Yes, that was it. After you
> suggested this I checked the Park Tool website and they also
> described the problem as a loose headset. I followed their
> directions and now the problem is gone. Thanks, Bill.

I always say "loose headset". It's my thing. :-)

Sure is.
I would have thought that most if not all riders who post to this
group would do a safety check before setting out.
This is supposed to be the anti-car, safety plus group, right?
I won't fly in a small plane without doing the walk around check
because, really, who wants a wing falling off, and you're going "I
thought I checked everything". Out of the 3 bikes I use a lot there is
usually something a little bit loose maybe once a week.
Maintenance is best done before the failure.
Bill Baka

Nice lecture, Iron Bill! LOL (Hint: a slightly loose headset isn't
really a safety issue. As in this case, it will announce its presence to
an alert rider/owner in plenty of time to be fixed prior to causing any
damage and /then/ perhaps a little danger.)

Bill "I just hate clunks, myself" S.

Use to happen on my 10 speed Nishiki but no bike since. I just tightened it
with my hands and kept riding.

Gooserider said:

"Bill Sornson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Ding ding ding ding! We have a winner! Yes, that was it. After you suggested
this I checked the Park Tool website and they also described the problem as
a loose headset. I followed their directions and now the problem is gone.
Thanks, Bill.

Damn. Going home right now to check my head set. Good thread.

Bill Sornson said:

Bill said:

Bill Sornson said:

Gooserider wrote:
> "Bill Sornson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
> news:[email hidden]...
>> Loose headset.
> Ding ding ding ding! We have a winner! Yes, that was it. After you
> suggested this I checked the Park Tool website and they also
> described the problem as a loose headset. I followed their
> directions and now the problem is gone. Thanks, Bill.
I always say "loose headset". It's my thing. :-)

Sure is.
I would have thought that most if not all riders who post to this
group would do a safety check before setting out.
This is supposed to be the anti-car, safety plus group, right?
I won't fly in a small plane without doing the walk around check
because, really, who wants a wing falling off, and you're going "I
thought I checked everything". Out of the 3 bikes I use a lot there is
usually something a little bit loose maybe once a week.
Maintenance is best done before the failure.
Bill Baka

Nice lecture, Iron Bill! LOL (Hint: a slightly loose headset isn't really
a safety issue. As in this case, it will announce its presence to an alert
rider/owner in plenty of time to be fixed prior to causing any damage and
/then/ perhaps a little danger.)

Bill "I just hate clunks, myself" S.

Not really intended to be a lecture, but that seems to be the way things
work (or not). None of my bikes has a double nut locking system for the
headset so they are always needing a hand tweak. It would be nice to
have a bike with a proper nut locking mechanism. The wheel bearings are
usually set and forget, but I also have bottom brackets getting loose
even with the locking nut.
You know Murphy's law about whatever can go wrong, will, and at the
worst possible time.
Bill Baka

Bill said:

Not really intended to be a lecture, but that seems to be the way things
work (or not). None of my bikes has a double nut locking system for the
headset so they are always needing a hand tweak. It would be nice to
have a bike with a proper nut locking mechanism.

They used to make 'em:

http://www.blackbirdsf.org/magistroni/images/mod253-263.jpg

I also have bottom brackets getting loose
even with the locking nut.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

would that not mean you need a replacement because the ball bearings may be
too worn.
Or something is too worn.

In article <MxxMh.50202$zU1.15728@pd7urf1no>,

nash said:

I also have bottom brackets getting loose
even with the locking nut.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

would that not mean you need a replacement because the ball bearings may be
too worn.
Or something is too worn.

There's a knack to putting the lockring on.
As you tighten it, it also turns the adjustable cup.
The trick is to simultaneously get both to the
appropriate tightness.

It also helps to invest in a Park Tool HCW-5
instead of trying to tighten it by sticking a
screwdriver into one of the lockring notches,
and hammering the screwdriver.

cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

Bill said:

Quoted message said:

Bill said:

Not really intended to be a lecture, but that seems to be the way
things work (or not). None of my bikes has a double nut locking
system for the headset so they are always needing a hand tweak. It
would be nice to have a bike with a proper nut locking mechanism.

They used to make 'em:

http://www.blackbirdsf.org/magistroni/images/mod253-263.jpg

That is exactly what I was talking about, but how many riders are
mechanically oriented enough to know about this??? I suspect that just
like seat post diameters there will be different threads on different
bikes. It might just be worthwhile to buy a grab bag of different kinds
if the chance arises.
Bill Baka

That usually happens to me on a Saturday morning ride. I find stuff I
can't pass, but can't carry on a bike, so home it is and get the car.
Technically oriented is a good thing. I heard several countries in
Europe that required the ability to change a flat tire, and some other
stuff or no driver's license.
Bill Baka

Quoted message said:

Bill said:

Not really intended to be a lecture, but that seems to be the way things
work (or not). None of my bikes has a double nut locking system for the
headset so they are always needing a hand tweak. It would be nice to
have a bike with a proper nut locking mechanism.

They used to make 'em:

http://www.blackbirdsf.org/magistroni/images/mod253-263.jpg

That is exactly what I was talking about, but how many riders are
mechanically oriented enough to know about this??? I suspect that just
like seat post diameters there will be different threads on different
bikes. It might just be worthwhile to buy a grab bag of different kinds
if the chance arises.
Bill Baka

nash said:

I also have bottom brackets getting loose
even with the locking nut.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

would that not mean you need a replacement because the ball bearings may be
too worn.
Or something is too worn.

It could be another cheap bike thing but even my Pacific Nomad aluminum
bike has bottom bracket issues. I had the bottom replaced on my tried
and true Huffy and it has been the best of all of them since then.
I think it is obvious there are quality issues here.
Bill Baka