modified '15 oasis creaks

[arnold ziffle]

I put a 29" rino rim & matching retro ride rubber up front, & added red & white pinstripes. I'm considering painting the spokes red if I can't find the right colour/length of soda straws like I had as a kid in the 70s.
Here's my problem - this is the 750w X 48v, so it's real ass heavy -- my rear wheel has always made a slight "creaking" per rotation only under load. I taped a reference object ( pen) to the controller pointing to the tire & spun the wheel, & I could see the tire surface "bob" in reference to the pen by about 1/8". I already CAREFULLY tightened the LOOSE spokes while monitoring wobble & was able to improve the out of box wobble slightly, but not the creaking. Any one had a similar experience with the rear rim? How much out of round is acceptable for a rear wheel? Thoughts on my "burning man" style attempt? Girls roll down their windows & holler "nice bike" at me all the time ...

 

[Ann M.]

That IS a nice bike, @arnold ziffle ! An eighth of an inch vertical out of true is a fair amount; you might feel that as a slight 'thunk, thunk' while riding. When you trued the wheel, did you start at one spot and just go around the rim one spoke after another? If so, this could produce an uneven tension on the spokes. Usually, it's recommended to tighten a few spokes, then move to a spot on the opposite side and tension, then rotate about 90 degrees, tighten a few spokes and go to the opposite side.

I suggest that you call Prodeco Tech at 800.943.6190 and talk with one of the tech specialists; my fav is Luis. Ask them what the proper spoke tension is for the rear wheel. Get a spoke tension meter (the Park Tool TM-1 is good) and check those spokes. Creaking can come from both overly loose or overly tight spokes and both issues can cause spoke breakage. Unfortunately, the huge rear motor and heavy 48V battery pack mean this is more likely. Another possibility is that it is the crankset and bottom bracket creaking, a common issue if the bottom bracket is not adjusted properly.

 

[arnold ziffle]

That IS a nice bike, @arnold ziffle ! An eighth of an inch vertical out of true is a fair amount; you might feel that as a slight 'thunk, thunk' while riding. When you trued the wheel, did you start at one spot and just go around the rim one spoke after another? If so, this could produce an uneven tension on the spokes. Usually, it's recommended to tighten a few spokes, then move to a spot on the opposite side and tension, then rotate about 90 degrees, tighten a few spokes and go to the opposite side.

I suggest that you call Prodeco Tech at 800.943.6190 and talk with one of the tech specialists; my fav is Luis. Ask them what the proper spoke tension is for the rear wheel. Get a spoke tension meter (the Park Tool TM-1 is good) and check those spokes. Creaking can come from both overly loose or overly tight spokes and both issues can cause spoke breakage. Unfortunately, the huge rear motor and heavy 48V battery pack mean this is more likely. Another possibility is that it is the crankset and bottom bracket creaking, a common issue if the bottom bracket is not adjusted properly.

Thanks Ann --- only a few random spokes were loose, so no, I didn't go to the opposite side -- actually, I followed http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Tech-Tuesday--Five-Minute-Wheel-True.html --- particularly step 3 for my current situation.
I think I should have asked " if my rear hub motor wheel is out of round by 1/8", can it be brought back to true by tuning the spokes, or is that too much? Also, can (should) a competent person do it at home, on the bike, without a wheel truing stand? Specifics, please?"
Realistically, I don't want to tool up for a one off job, & I'm not confident about truing a spoked wheel at home .... Should I try? Best options? THANKS !! ... btw the power and range on this bike is very satisfying