Front aero wheel sound and tire trueness

Triathlon Forum
1

As some of you know, I just installed my first tubulars. I have some used hed cx that I just put on and when I ride, there is a slight sound from the front wheel. Having never ridden the wheel before installing the tubulars, not sure if it could be ONLY the wheel being aero or possibly to the fact that my tire seems slightly not round. (it is fairly well centered and true like the wheel but is sort of not completely round and when I spin it, it seems higher especially at the valve. I’m wondering if this sound is wholy from the wheel or could this slight unroundness of my tubular mounting be contributing. Oh yeah, and how important is a perfectly round tubular. I rode it today and it seemed fine and fast but that sound was slightly bugging me.

Man, if all of these tubular issues keep coming up, I’m going back to clinchers for sure. THIS CLINCHES IT. whoops sorry, i’m cheezy.

By the way, tubular lovers, like Tom D and so on, please don’t be disgusted by my poor tubular insight.

2

What does the sound, er, sound like?

3

I had the same wheel and never had a problem. It could be many things. Describe the sound to us. Are you sure it’s coming form the wheel.

4

hmmm, the sound…

i guess sort of like this.

ph,ph,ph,ph,ph,ph but pretty fast. When I slow down it isn’t as loud but doesn’t exactly sound like wind noise. Do aero front wheels make any sound sort of like a disc or are there pretty much silent?

oh yeah, and anyone know about that tire roundness question. Is it hopelesss… do i have to reinstall my tubular again. ugghh…

6

Your wheel shouldn’t make any weird sound. It should sound about the same as your training wheel.

Not sure about your sound. I wonder if the bulge at your valve is pushing your valve stem in and out a little bit…

What did you use for instructions to mount your tires? I followed the instructions on Zipp’s site and found the mounting process not too troublesome.

7

I used the instructions on the park tool site and some other instructions that i got from the web. Doesn’t seem like the stem since it looks pretty secure. It really isn’t much of a sound but my training wheel definitely didn’t make it and but it is also completely round. I think the only way to get to the bottom of this is to reinstall the tubular while being more careful. If the sound is gone, it was the tire, but if it is still there, than I guess the sound is from the front wheel which is ok with me, probably just a mild aero sound or something.

8

Is your brake pad brushing up against your wheel?

9

not that i know of. looks pretty well centered between the brake pads. Also, when it’s in the workstand, it turns freely with no sounds. Only on the road does it make the slight sound.

10

Some tubbies are lumpey by the presta valve. I like TUFO S33 specials . The price is ok and they last and last. Anything cheaper sometimes thump . I had clinchers once that did the same thing .If you ride the wheels on rollers you will find weather they are nice and round (the tires) or not. Find a good tire and I bet that will solve the problem. It’s all about the Glue smell :wink:

Dirtball