Wobble Wobble Radwagon

[Barkme Wolf]

Rear wheel when from slightly squeaky to severely off balance over the past 2 weeks. Not sure what the trouble is, taking it in to the Rad Power Bike shop on Saturday.

 

[pxpaulx]

Probably not properly trued, but not uncommon on a new bike. Any bike needs a tune up after fifty miles to make any break in adjustments, including properly truing the wheels, which are under much more stress on a hub motor ebike.

 

[Barkme Wolf]

Probably not properly trued, but not uncommon on a new bike. Any bike needs a tune up after fifty miles to make any break in adjustments, including properly truing the wheels, which are under much more stress on a hub motor ebike.

I have had it in a few times for derailleur adjustments. I am at about 600 miles, had it a little over a month.

 

[mbirds]

I think if you get the wheel professionally trued you'll be set for a long time. I have had to do this occasionally on all of my bikes that have seen a lot of use, and sooner on shipped bikes from Bikesdirect. Have you had a lot of cargo or people on the back? I'm an admirer of the RW and was thinking it would be cool to take a passenger...

 

[Barkme Wolf]

I think if you get the wheel professionally trued you'll be set for a long time. I have had to do this occasionally on all of my bikes that have seen a lot of use, and sooner on shipped bikes from Bikesdirect. Have you had a lot of cargo or people on the back? I'm an admirer of the RW and was thinking it would be cool to take a passenger...

Nope, no more than 20 lbs on the back and I am 170 tops. I have a bunch of light camping gear I was going to strap on it and go on a short trip in a couple weeks.
Not sure if the Rad Wagon people are up to "Truing" the tire, I will take it to a bike shop.

 

[mbirds]

I think that's a good idea.

 

[mbirds]

BTW truing wheels is tricky, but tuning derailleurs is not nearly as hard as it looks. I use the instructions in "Zen and the Art Of Mountain Bike Maintenance" but I'm sure there's guides on line. Less hassle than taking her into the shop...

 

[Barkme Wolf]

BTW truing wheels is tricky, but tuning derailleurs is not nearly as hard as it looks. I use the instructions in "Zen and the Art Of Mountain Bike Maintenance" but I'm sure there's guides on line. Less hassle than taking her into the shop...

I think I can upgrade my derailleurs for under 100 bucks. Don't know how much it will cost to true the tire.

 

[walawn]

@Barkme Wolf Probably half that if you have a front and a rear. Check eBay and Amazon for deals. Check with your LBS for truing costs.

 

[mbirds]

Should be around 20 bucks for a wheel truing, if there's nothing unusual found.

 

[walawn]

@mbirds Isn't a wheel with a hub motor more involved? or about the same work as a non-hub motor wheel?

 

[mbirds]

If you're bringing the wheel in, should be the same (process is the same). Now, if you're asking them to wrestle the rear wheel off an unfamiliar e-bike, I imagine they might charge more.

 

[walawn]

@mbirds I agree.

 

[Barkme Wolf]

If you're bringing the wheel in, should be the same (process is the same). Now, if you're asking them to wrestle the rear wheel off an unfamiliar e-bike, I imagine they might charge more.

I decided when I got it that I would rather pay someone else to break my new toy than feel the pain of breaking it myself. I will let them remove the tire at the shop.

 

[Barkme Wolf]

Update: Took it to my shop and they say no problem. They seem to charge $25 dollars for everything which is within my budget. They say it is not uncommon with these motorized bikes to have this issue. Leaving it over night tonight.

 

[walawn]

@Barkme Wolf Good Luck!

 

[mbirds]

Sounds like a good shop. Fair deal. You should get a lot more miles with a professional truing.

 

[Ann M.]

Very reasonable pricing and they understand that a motor stresses spokes; sounds like this shop is a keeper!