I rented a set of Hed 3’s for a race. To test the computer magnet, I lifted the rear wheel off the ground and pushed the pedal to get it spinning. When it was spinning free like that, I felt a distinct up and down motion, so one part of the wheel weighed more than the other. After some test spins, I figured out that the valve stem opening was the section of the rim that tended to rest on the bottom. A mechanic told me was normal, and I wouldn’t feel it riding. I didn’t feel it, but I couldn’t help but wonder if that slight out-of-balance affects the ride or gasp robs me of power. Is this right?
I just spun my H3 clincher front. Very little imbalace really. It would be intersting to see if it persisted after the tire/tube was removed?
mine has a slight pop to it as well…don’t notice anything while riding it…only while in the stand
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normal for tubulars. I can’t speak for clinchers. Lennard Zinn recommends taping small weights to the lighter side for balance (washers, for example) if you wish.
The (uneducated) physicist in me thinks that that up-down wobble from the imbalance is pushing force into the ground, which is not helping your speed, and must come out of your pedal power. But the (lazy) engineer in me thinks that such a force would be negligble and much less than things like tire/tube selection or even a slight breeze.