Has anyone had a problem with Real Design wheels? My front wheel, a Real Design Ultrasonic 40, which came stock on my QR Lucero, recently started making a loud popping sound, similar to the sound that would be heard if something was hitting a spoke or your fork. The thing is, nothing is hitting anything. Im about 99% sure that the sound is coming from the hub. I took the hub apart myself, and looked at it. Everything appears ok. Brought the wheel to my LBS. They did the same thing. Nothing. I emailed Real Design on Sunday about the problem, and haven’t heard back from them. Any suggestions? Has anyone dealt with Real Design in the past? I like the wheels a lot, but the front wheel sounds awful now, and I cant ride it like that. Help!!!
I would just give them a call. I have called their service dept before with questions. Just be sure to ask for someone who has specific knowledge of the wheels. I have the Ultraflys on my new Tuscany and so far so good (although occasionally I hear a “ping” from the spokes. I would be curious to know more about who makes their hubs and rims. I think they do make the carbon fairings on the aero wheels and had Steve Hedd help them with R&D.
Good Luck,
Mike
UPDATE!
I just got an email from Real Design this morning. Here’s what they said.
“It sounds as though it could be spoke tension. It could also be a skewer, or dirt in the interfaces of the wheel. I will speak to our engineers and what they think might be the issue. You might have them sent back here if the shop is not able to help you. Thanks for your email and for your interest in Real Design. I hope this information helps and please let us know if you have any further questions.”
Good stuff. I’ll check the spoke tension, although they have never been tightened since I got the wheels. Also, I switched the skewers out, and the pop is still there. I’ll keep you guys updated.
I had a click in my rear wheel last weekend and I know it has to do with my spokes. However, I tighten by feel. Is there some sort of spoke wrench that measures tension? If not, how tight is too tight and how loose is too loose. I usually can true a wheel pretty good, but its the tension?
Chris
I am not sure if this will help, but…
Elevate the wheel off the ground, spin it and see if it makes the same noise. I had a Zipp tubular that was installed a little off and the stem would bang against the hole in the rim it came through. Of course, if yours are clinchers, disregard the above.
JTG
Yes, you can adjust spoke tension with the correct tool. Here’s a good link from park tools about it. http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/tm_1.shtml
I dont have the correct tool, but Im going to try and see if the spoke tension is my problem. Good luck with your wheel.
The correct tension depends upon the diameter and type of spoke. Without a tensionometer, you could rely on tone - pluck spokes and tighten the loose ones until the tone matches the other spokes - this only works on front wheels, on rear wheels you have to match the right side spokes to right side spokes and left side spokes to left side spokes.
Is there some sort of spoke wrench that measures tension? If not, how tight is too tight and how loose is too loose. I usually can true a wheel pretty good, but its the tension?
Wow!