Rear wheel doesn't spin freely?

[ThePowster]

Howdy folks.

Been a while since I was on here. Some may remember I restored a Raleigh Banana last summer. I had a mint few rides on her then I put her away over winter.

Well today I got her out and I knew there were a few teething problems I needed to address before I get some miles done on this for the 2019 season.

So first problem, the rear wheel isn't spinning freely, I am not sure it ever was, it feels like a good 100w is being sucked out of it and with no chain on the wheel will not spin more than maybe twice when I give it a good spin :cry:

In order for the wheel to fit I used a washer each side to give me a bit of space from the cassette and the rear mech hanger as the clearance was so tight that the chain on means it would rub the rear of the mech hanger. Someone on here suggested using a washer which I did and while it gives me the space now so nothing touches, when I clamp the wheel shut it like binds the bearings or something and the wheel will not spin freely.

I've got some pics which might explain things better







What would you guys do in this situation? It's too draggy and I must be losing 100W lol. Wheel set is brand new too.

 

[Peachy!]

When removed from the frame, can you hold the axle and spin the wheel freely?

 

[ThePowster]

Yes it will spin freely in hand, just when I nip it up and not even that tight in the drops it doesn't like it

Could it be a bearing issue as in they too tight or those washers pressing on the axel or something. I dunno logically what could cause it to slow down spinning when I close the skewer.

 

[Peachy!]

Yes it will spin freely in hand, just when I nip it up and not even that tight in the drops it doesn't like it

Could it be a bearing issue as in they too tight or those washers pressing on the axel or something. I dunno logically what could cause it to slow down spinning when I close the skewer.

So its not crap grease thats gone hard in the cold.... If she runs free, I can't see how closing the skewer could have any effect on the bearing surfaces, must be binding somwhere else when you close it (the skewer).

Strip and start again.

 

[ThePowster]

I'm wondering if it's these washers.. Hmm. Thanks for the reply, really appreciate it. I'll do some more investigation, there is some drag somewhere, when I spin it by hand something is dragging it back only when skewer closed and not hard at that.

I'll report if I find anything

 

[Nob]

Time to take off the cassette & take off the free hub for a more in-depth investigation as something is clearly sticking or a collapsed or badly installed bearing

 

[ThePowster]

Re:

Morning guys.

Well last night I was playing this this and I found out it has cartridge bearings not the loose ball bearing type. Anyway after many attempts I locked the skewer one time and it seemes all is fine. How odd. I still can't have intermittent drag each time I take wheel off. The only thing I did observe is when I close the skewer I can see the mech hanger move too. It's all very strange as nothing is snagging or anything but I agree it must be something hub related. Wheeler has only done 200 miles though.

Thanks for the help really appreciate it. If I fathom it I'll come back and share what I learned for the next chap

 

[hamster]

Really dumb question: are you absolutely sure that:
a) the tyre isn't touching a chainstay
b) It's not rubbing on a brake block.

 

[ThePowster]

Hiya. Yeah I can confirm that it was all free from obstacles. It's spinning free and fine now so I dare not touch it again lol it does seem to be the universal mech hanger area that was the problem though. Hope it doesn't happen again.

 

[Midlife]

This is from Sheldon just for interest

Quick-release hubs are trickier to adjust, because the quick-release mechanism compresses the axle slightly when it is tightened. If you adjust the cones so that they feel just right off the bike, they will bind up when you tighten the quick release. You must set the cones so that there is a little bit of play when the hub is off the bike, or when the wheel is installed with the quick release just barely tightened.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cone-adjustment.html