OMG!! Is My Wheel Bent??

[Juliegoddess]

Tonight I was riding and I began to hear a scraping noise...when I got home, I noticed my back tire was pretty low, and it was rubbing against the back brake. I wasn't too worried, but when I lifted the bike and spun the wheel, I could see it wobble a little bit, AND it was hitting not just the brake, but also the frame! Oh GOD...is it ruined? i don't know what I did??!!

I've been trying to fill my tires...I must be stupid or something. I KNOW there is no air going into them when I pump the air pump. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong. Now I'm terrified that my wheel is damaged because my tire was too low.

Can this be fixed? Oh please tell me it can be fixed!!

[pll]

Maybe a spoke broke off (check if one is loose)? A bike shop repairs that pretty fast.

[oxysback]

Ok...step one. Don't panic.

Step two...take your bike and pump to your LBS. They'll check the wheel, maybe true it up a bit and they can show you how to use your pump.

Remember, we all had to learn this, too!

[pll]

What kind of pump do you have? I find a pump like this one easiest to use. The dial at the top tells you the pressure in the tire and typically there is a dial to mark your target pressure. The LBS can show you how to use the pump, but, just in case, I find I frequently have to 'break the seal' manually in the tire by letting a bit of air out before pumping.

[Juliegoddess]

You ladies are all wonderful! I'm taking it into the shop tomorrow...it's due for the first free tune-up.

As for my pump, I just have a little hand-pump right now. It has a gauge on it, but I just can't seem to get it to measure correctly. When I take the bike in, I'm going to ask for a lesson in how to pump up my tires! I've never had trouble with putting air in tires, so this is a first. I've got the little adapter for the valve, and I can't think that I'm doing anything wrong with that, but I know now for sure that no air was getting into those tires!

Thanks SO much, everyone, for easing my mind. Without my bike, I'd lose my sanity....my daily ride is everything to me!

[aicabsolut]

Maybe you have a flat...?

[Eden]

Is the tire hitting the brake/frame - or the rim? If its just the tire, pump it up and the problem should go away. (if it doesn't and your tire has a bulge, you will need a new tire ASAP)

If its the rim hitting, then the wheel is out of true, but don't worry, even a rim out of true enough to hit the frame isn't necessarily ruined. Your lbs should be able to true it.

p.s. Do you have presta (thin) valves or schrader (thick)? I'm guessing presta. if you can't get any air into the tire make sure you've unscrewed the valve. When people first get presta tubes its pretty common to not know that you've got to unscrew the tiny brass nipple at the end of the valve stem. If you've done that and you still can't get air to go in, next step is to break the seal, but pressing down and letting a little air out before you start trying to pump them up.

[kermit]

It could be as simple as your wheel got crooked in the rear dropout (frame). While the bike is on level ground, open the rear skewer and make sure the wheel is set straight in it and re-tighten. Regardless, go get your free tune-up.

[Juliegoddess]

WOW...my LBS ROCKS!! Took my bike in this morning, as it was due for it's first tune-up. Showed them the problem, and it turns out I also had a broken spoke. However, the wheel is perfect now...all back to beautiful! I was able to get my bike back the same day!

they also told me that I need a GOOD pump...a high-pressure pump. I had also purchased an expensive frame pump that the guy told me did not work for my bike tires. I got it from another LBS, so I'm going to ask them if I can exchange it for another one. Don't know if they'll let me, since it's been on my bike for a couple months now...but dang, I paid thirty bucks for it, and have not been able to get it to work.

Yes, I have the presta valves...and you know what? I don't think I was opening the nipple on it! Boy am I stupid...

But I'm happy now...just have to get my pump issue resolved and It's happy trails for me!

[pll]

Awesome!

[Veronica]

Tonight I was riding and I began to hear a scraping noise...

And just how long did you ride with the scraping noise? If your bike is making unusual noises that's a good indicator you should stop and check things out. Eventually you'll figure out what various noises are... like I know the click my bike makes when the drive train needs cleaning.

Veronica

[Juliegoddess]

And just how long did you ride with the scraping noise? If your bike is making unusual noises that's a good indicator you should stop and check things out. Eventually you'll figure out what various noises are... like I know the click my bike makes when the drive train needs cleaning.

Veronica

Just yesterday...in fact, I THINK the whole thing happened just yesterday. My cell phone slid out of my little bag under my saddle. I heard quite a clatter, and I bet that's what broke the spoke. Could have thrown off the whole tire...well, I am certain that it DID! Yes, I always listen carefully to my bike. I know it won't always be perfect, but it's brand spankin' new, so I want it to stay as close to perfect as it can, for as long as it can!

[Veronica]

How long did you ride yesterday with it making a funny noise, before you investigated what could be causing the noise? 10 minutes, twenty minutes, ... 3 hours? Some noise makers should not be ignored during a ride.

Veronica

[Juliegoddess]

How long did you ride yesterday with it making a funny noise, before you investigated what could be causing the noise? 10 minutes, twenty minutes, ... 3 hours? Some noise makers should not be ignored during a ride.

Veronica

It was a very slight rubbing noise. I noticed it after about ten minutes, I believe. The bike is so quiet that it alarmed me to hear anything! It's all fixed though. LBS repair guy said it was nothing at all to true it up. they gave me lots of good advice for keeping my tires filled, etc.

[Juliegoddess]

Since you mentioned you are going to get a new pump, I'd make them show me how to use it. Then try it yourself with them standing there. Try a couple of different pump models. You'd be surprised what a difference spending an extra 20 dollars can make.

Oh I agree! I am such a dunce when it comes to filling tires, air pressure, etc. And now I have these new teensie tires...with presta valves! I NEED lessons!