Wheel noises can be caused by the wheel rubbing, or by a problem with the actual wheel. It may be constant, or you might only notice it when you stop pedaling and freewheel.

Diagnose the noise your bike is making

Constant whir and heavy pedaling could be the wheel not spinning freely: This could damage the wheel if it becomes worn, and will play havoc with your average speed. Simply spin the wheel, if it doesn’t turn more than once, it’s dragging on something.

• The wheel may be sitting crookedly  – in which case remove it, and put it back in straight

How to: Use a Quick Release

• Rim brakes or disc brake pads could be off-centre, causing the rim or rotar to catch on the brake, in which case adjust your brakes. Leaving this to continue could result in rim wear
• If you have rim brakes, the brake could be rubbing on the tyre – in which case the brake needs adjusting so that it sits over the rim. Rubbing on the tyre, over time, can cause a “blow out” (sudden puncture) and ruin the tyre

How to: Adjust your Brakes with Barrel Adjusters

A ‘bump’ noise and feel every time the wheel spins a full revolution could mean it’s not spinning straight: Your wheel should run in a straight line when you spin it. If it’s not…

• Start by checking the tyre for bulges. If there is an obvious area that is bulging, deflate it, refit the tyre, and see if this fixes it when in inflated. If the problem area is still there, you may need a new tyre.
• If the tyre is fine, but the wheel itself is not running straight, it’s probably out of true – and will need adjustment at your local workshop.

How to: Change an Inner Tube

Constant clicking from the wheel that you can hear whenever the wheel is spinning: Wheel hubs contain bearings and these can become worn over time. If this is the case, you may notice that when you spin the wheel, it feels gritty and grainy. A trip to a local bike shop may be in order, though some hubs can be serviced at home with a few tools.

Whobbly wheel: Make sure your wheel is actually sitting tight in the frame – give the quick release skewer a little push – it shouldn’t budge. If it does, this needs tightening.

How To: Use a Quick Release