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Help - shudder front end


ozgti's picture

By ozgti - Posted on 23 December 2014

I haven't ridden my bike for about 3 months. Took it out for a spin around the block and noticed a horrible vibration or shuddering on the front end of the bike. Looking down around the bottom end of the fork and brake caliper area, I can see it vibrating quite a lot on braking. Thought it was a loose wheel so tighten it up but didn't fix. when I walk the bike with the front brake on, i dont't feel anything. caliper feel fairly tight. almost feels like something is loose. there was nothing wrong with the bike when i stopped riding before.

Any help greatly appreciated.

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Koura's picture

My guess is a loose rotor, or stuffed hub. Take it to a bike shop.

ozgti's picture

thanks for the suggestion. I don't get how it was fine when i stopped riding but now i ride again i get this problem. How do i tell if its the hub? wheel doesn't roll smooth?

fairy1's picture

You'll probably find it's just a tiny bit of contamination on the rotor. Hit it with some brake cleaner and/or find a big and pedal down it with the brake on.

Can also be made to feel a lot wose if the headset is a tiny bit loose.

Pete B's picture

+1 for what Fairy says. Maybe sand the brake pads a little too.

CuBe3's picture

If you can actually SEE vibrations, it's gonna be more than just contaminated pads. maybe the pads have worn out? It could be a bent or loose rotor. Could be a hub bearing but you could tell pretty easily if it's that. Is it a QR or thru axle?

ozgti's picture

Will have a closer look at the brakes and hub. The axle is qr. Like I said if it was the hub it wouldn't roll smoothly or the wheel wobbles side to side? The brake lever has a solid feel when pressed and does lock the wheel. Could it be possible that the brakes need a bleed? Something to do with the forks? Like I said also I don't get when I put the bike away 3 months ago everything was fine. No shuddering at all. Try it 3 months later and comes up with this. The bike has just been sitting there.

Zoom's picture

Go for a long ride, the problem may disappear.

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