Author Topic: odd noise from front end of the bike under braking  (Read 6340 times)

odd noise from front end of the bike under braking
« on: 28 March, 2008, 01:18:23 pm »
my alu roadbike has developed a noise like someone tapping on the frame under front braking. the brake block pads need replacing, but other than that i'm a bit perplexed.  ???

all advice welcome.
she was quite innocent, 'till she got that bicycle - sykurmolanir

Re: odd noise from front end of the bike under braking
« Reply #1 on: 28 March, 2008, 01:19:26 pm »
You rim might have started to split, the 'tap' being when the split passes the brake block.

Re: odd noise from front end of the bike under braking
« Reply #2 on: 28 March, 2008, 01:39:35 pm »
Or sometimes it's the join in certain rims that can have this effect - assuming it's at wheel revolution speed.
We are making a New World (Paul Nash, 1918)

Re: odd noise from front end of the bike under braking
« Reply #3 on: 28 March, 2008, 01:49:17 pm »
Or sometimes it's the join in certain rims that can have this effect - assuming it's at wheel revolution speed.

I was thinking of the join coming apart actually.

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: odd noise from front end of the bike under braking
« Reply #4 on: 28 March, 2008, 02:13:28 pm »
I was thinking of the join coming apart actually.

Difficult in a built wheel, there is a lot of compression in the rim from the spoke tension.
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

andygates

  • Peroxide Viking
Re: odd noise from front end of the bike under braking
« Reply #5 on: 28 March, 2008, 02:18:34 pm »
Easy to identify: is the tapping regular, with the period matching the period of wheel rotation?
It takes blood and guts to be this cool but I'm still just a cliché.
OpenStreetMap UK & IRL Streetmap & Topo: ravenfamily.org/andyg/maps updates weekly.

Re: odd noise from front end of the bike under braking
« Reply #6 on: 28 March, 2008, 02:25:13 pm »
I was thinking of the join coming apart actually.

Difficult in a built wheel, there is a lot of compression in the rim from the spoke tension.

It happens, did to me. one side of the join had a split on the breaking surface which allowed  part of the breaking surface to be higher than the part it was once joined to. I realised this because of a click when I braked.

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: odd noise from front end of the bike under braking
« Reply #7 on: 28 March, 2008, 03:12:13 pm »
To my mind, that is not the joint coming apart.  It is the part of the rim trying to break off, usually because of excessive wear.

Separated by a common language, I guess.
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

Re: odd noise from front end of the bike under braking
« Reply #8 on: 28 March, 2008, 03:56:27 pm »
Easy to identify: is the tapping regular, with the period matching the period of wheel rotation?
no, it's more when brakes are applied, and then released. effect not observed when the brakes are applied with the bike stationary.
she was quite innocent, 'till she got that bicycle - sykurmolanir

andygates

  • Peroxide Viking
Re: odd noise from front end of the bike under braking
« Reply #9 on: 28 March, 2008, 04:18:59 pm »
That suggests that there's slack in the caliper, pads or headset - the "tick" is the slack being taken up to its endstop. 

With the bike stationery on a firm surface, apply the brake and rock back and forth.  Can you reproduce the sound that way?  Can you see anything moving?  To check the headset, put your fingers over the frame and fork parts of the lower headset race - they're more sensitive to movement than your eyes are.

You say the brake blocks are on their way out - I'd change 'em and see if that sorts it :)
It takes blood and guts to be this cool but I'm still just a cliché.
OpenStreetMap UK & IRL Streetmap & Topo: ravenfamily.org/andyg/maps updates weekly.

Re: odd noise from front end of the bike under braking
« Reply #10 on: 28 March, 2008, 04:23:43 pm »
cheers all  8)
she was quite innocent, 'till she got that bicycle - sykurmolanir

Re: odd noise from front end of the bike under braking
« Reply #11 on: 29 March, 2008, 10:51:44 am »
Ditto andy gates, first port of call check headset for play, and check to see if caliper bolt is tight

clifftaylor

  • Max - "make mine a Beophar Hairball Paste please"
Re: odd noise from front end of the bike under braking
« Reply #12 on: 29 March, 2008, 11:05:44 am »
Or possibly a bit of aluminium stuck in the brake pad, and ticking every time it reaches the join.

Re: odd noise from front end of the bike under braking
« Reply #13 on: 29 March, 2008, 06:52:57 pm »
i've got some new pads so i'll see if that makes a difference. thanks for all the advice, i'll be sure to check the headset for movement too. as i'm at home with the kids tonight, and tomorrow i'll be watching the worlds, sorry helping mrs alecetc prepare for going away on monday, so i won't have a chance to test ride the new pads.
she was quite innocent, 'till she got that bicycle - sykurmolanir