Bicycle Wheel Balancing: Marginal Gains or a 'Must Do'?
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- čas přidán 28. 06. 2024
- You'd think expensive race wheels are the pinnacle of bike tech engineering, especially with the price we pay for them. Looks like I've been setting my expectations too high. Today I look at a Zipp 808 front wheel and a Roval 40 carbon rear wheel to see if they're balanced and run smooth.....
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Keywords: Zipp, Zipp 808, Roval 40, Carbon Clincher, Road wheel balance, marginal gains.
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#Cycling #Zipp #Wheels - Sport
This is probably the most informative and eye opening cycling video I've watched on youtube in a long time. Thanks for the tips!
full of wisdom,but wearing the most hyped up shows throws me off
*shoes. And really? My fake Yezzzeeeiis really throw you off? Me wearing them as a bit of laugh when I'm working on my bike is a thought someone has actually had? That's very precious. I'll find some stilettos next time. It's not about the shoes mate.
Shane Miller How do you wear shows??
this was definitely interesting...probably too much effort for me, but very interesting.
I so much agree! I've been cycling for decades and only now I learn about this. Thank you so much Shane!
doing this for years, the difference is i use old speed sensors' magnet, attach it to the spoke to do the job.
the good thing is you can adjust the position of the magnet along the spoke to get a very fine adjustment. if you need more counter weight then move the magnet toward the rim, need less then move the magnet toward the hub.
Great tip, man! Thank you for sharing.
Many thanks, been searching for "how to oil bicycle" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Ever heard of - Viyackson Yenacob Review - (search on google ) ? Ive heard some pretty good things about it and my friend got cool results with it.
I'm guessing this is how car tires are balanced
I've been a bike mechanic for 6 years running my own business, and I've learned something today! excellent work shane👍
My Campagnolo Zonda's came perfectly balanced. They put counterweight on the other side of the valve inside the rim.
Excellent! Good work Campy!
www.campagnolo.com/JP/en/Technologies/dynamic_balance
That's the system.
I actually have Zondas on my CAAD10 and didn't even know, great to read!
My Shamal Ultras came also perfectly balanced. They watch out for details. Maybe that's the reason why they subjectively roll so nice.
Same story with my fulcrum racing 3's. (Rebranded zondas.)
What an excellent topic and great explanation on how to fix it. Thank you, Shane!
I know my road bike's wheels need balancing, I actually went back to the store when I'd just bought it and asked if that was normal. After being told that it was normal, I thought that was the end of it. I hadn't stopped to think about how it should also be possible to balance these, so this was a great news flash for me.
Your channel has been absolute gold to me, man. Thank you for your time and effort!
Hey y'all, I know it's a bit late - a mate of mine put weights on the outside of his zipps like Shane does here. The rims both expanded at that point after a race with long downhills. I think there is an impact where the weights cool the inside of the rim, causing the brake track to get hotter as it can't spread the heat as well to the area with the weights stuck to it. I am really interested in this topic and will be balancing my wheels, however I think somehow I will be weighting inside the rim tape on the spoke nipple holes. YMMV. Thanks Shane!
Wish i never removed my reflectors now ;)
Real eye opener, observed the exact same issue with my current bike not knowing what it was, seeing this helped me fix it completely. Cheers Shane!
Great video, very helpful for the rest of us, the week end bike mechanics. Keep on with your great videos.
Great video, Shane! I never would have thought the problem could be that bad, especially on new expensive wheels
Mate you are killing it with these videos. Not many people on here giving a real enthusiasts POV when it comes to bikes. I'm gonna go sort my rear wheel out coz now I know what's been causing that awful rattling at speed! Cheers!
One of the best videos I have seen in months. Thanks Shane. My rear Zipp60 is as bad as that Roval. Off to get some weights !
Thanks so much for making this video. I had horrible shakes on my Enves and thought it was normal. Not anymore. You are awesome man!
Great Vid Shane, Had shaking front wheel at top speed on all my track wheels and found about wheel balancing but didnt know of a precise way to fix. Used speed sensor magnetic but not close enough. This is simple and perfect.
An absolute eye opener. I recently spent $2000 on a wheelset for my old Orbea TT bike. But instead of the hoped for improvement and prep for Ironman in December, it just felt so horrible and even unsafe.
I was about to take off the wheels and sell them and just put my old cheap ones back on. For 4 years I never had an issue with the bike, but now I did not only have a $2000 problem, but well meaning people telling me how I had the wrong tyre pressure, how I had to practice more, had to get used to it or even that it was windy, when really it wasn't. And IMWA can be windy anyway, so it has to still be right.
Fortunately I went to bike frame restoration specialist to have one last look to see if there was a fault. 12 grams of little lead weights later, and I finally love my bike again. So simple. But why doesn't everyone know this? The shop where I bought the wheels plus one other where I went for help did not mention this at all. They were both high end stores. Really very disappointing when you spend this sort of money.
So thank you so much for the video. It is by far the best on the subject that I have found so I can "enlighten" others.
Excellent information, Shane!
Omg.....best eye opening video ive seen in ages also. Just shows you how low tech can resolve a big problem that even expensive wheel manufacturers overlook I think with ignorance. Gonna check my Zonda's....... 14grams seems to be the answer opposite valve.....
Cheers for the very helpful vlog..
That is an incredible insight. I just bought a new set of Fulcrum 4 wheels and will test them for balance now that I’ve seen this. Your jig looks like a fairly standard Thule roof rack accessory which is clever. Innovative use of golf club weights. Great video.
I have this problem and it's driving me crazy! I balance my drone propellers so I don't know why I didn't think to balance my wheel like this. But now I know. This also made me think the little valve nut rings I bought are most likely making my wheels even more unbalanced. You made me realize a few good things in this video and I thank you for that!
I balanced both rear and front wheels. What a difference it makes! It feels smooth on both on the road and Zwifting on the roller smart trainer. Thanks, Shane!
As soon as I have a few minutes with my bike I'll follow your steps!
I noticed while making adjustments to my bike how much it shaked due to spinning the wheels and didn't know the problem.
Thank you so much
I've never really given it much thought to the balancing of wheels but on reflection it makes absolute sense. Great video Shane...
Good one Shane. I've never weighed a valve stem, but most (all?) I've seen were brass and in addition to the tube reinforcement in that area I'd guess would weigh around the amount you're adding. It would be interesting to cut up an old tube where the stem area starts and then weigh it. It will mean your balance will be affected if you change valve stem lengths ;)
I don't believe there's much, if any, special reinforcement around wheel valve stem holes. In alloy rims they simply roll, weld, then drill the rim extrusions. I've not noticed any reinforcement in modern CF rims either, indeed I don't think they will even know where the hole will be when they drop it on the spoke drilling machine.
I'm sure this video will create a lot of interest, so well done.
Edit: What the heck, just before posting I cut up and weighed a short valve stem and it weighed 6 grams. I'd expect a long one to weigh 10-12 grams
greatest vid i've seen all week. Good job GPLAMA!
The most educational bike video I have ever watched, Bravo !!!
awesome stuff shane...never thought it would make such a difference..
This sure deserves a thumbs up, very good job Shane
If you use tubes, you can try to place the counter weights below the rim tape or - as I did - glue them within the rim bed onto the rim tape. I had to use a good sticky tape ("Tesa Gewebeband") to attach them securely. However, this makes the weights invisible und does not influence aerodynamics. Thank you Shane for the hints with the golf club weights!
Excellent video and made me test my wheels straight away. Outcome was that weights are now ordered for my Roval 60s. Tested them and it was like the Roval 40s you tested, way off and centered on the valve. Got to test the wife's TT 58s now...
Wonderful hack video Shane. I'll be checking this on my wheelset this evening. Every bit of comfort and loss in efficiency is worth investigating.
I have been balancing my wheels for years with great results. Once you have figured out the weight and location, I like to put the weight inside the rim for a cleaner look. You can also move the tire around to balance the wheel too, as tires are never evenly balanced. There will be a small amount needed to fine tune after you add the internal weight and lead solder rapped around a spoke is a super clean way to finish it off.
Very elaborately explained. Great work 👍
This was great content Shane, thanks! Will be checking my wheels tomorrow for sure!
Wow! That was an awesome vid Shane.
That must make descending at high speed so much smoother and safer! Smooth is fast!
Except when those damn deer jump out and disrupt the rhythm! :)
@@gplama We have lots of rabbits that dart across the trails here in Vegas, sometimes snakes...
Excellent video Shane. I Already balanced my wheels using your method!
I remember as a younglin taking at the spokes of my wheels and redoing the wheels all over with the same spokes, what a lot of work. Mad respect
Shane the man with all the knowledge great video!!!
most informative video I've watched on wheels, thanks
Tested my Fulcrum 0's and 5's and found them to be balanced... Good thing! Thanks for this video Shane!
Awesome video - just learnt to true my wheel and I'll be doing this next! Thanks.
Thanks Shane just help me out big time. Keep up the great work. Love the Vlogs.
Great video mate!
Fantastic video! My (not so expensive) Fulcrums do this when up on the stand. It rocks the stand to bits. I will be trying this. Thanks again.
I'm going to see how balanced my wheels are now. Great video Shane, eep them coming.
Another excellent bit of content. Well done. I will look into having my Enve wheels balanced. 👍
Noticed this the other day on my carbon clinchers and by luck came across this! So informative, cheers!
Thanks for this video Shane. I bought some Zipp 808's last year off ebay, and with the valve extenders, the wheels really hop around. Soon to be no more! Awesome info!
I didn't know anything about wheel balancing.
Thanks Shane I really am learning a lot.
Shane...excellent video. Very educational indeed. Certainly worth watching. I have a couple of wheels that are like Von's...wheel balancing here I come. Good on you Shane...cheers, Gaz.
Really interesting topic Shane!
I can hear the prisoners in the exercise yard.
This also has a huge potential for eliminating the "death wobble" on high speed decents
It's a primary school.... same same. (and now I'm murdered for this comment.... great!) :)
more of these please, great video
i'm in Melbourne i have a 80 dollar road bike i ride it all the time and by watching your video I've learned so much and my bike is much better to ride now because of what i learnt form you love your videos and thank you for teaching me cool thing
You make excellent and very informative videos. Well done.
Awesome video. Thanks for the great explanation. Greetings from Malibu, Ca.
Thanks a million for the clip. Both my 404 and 808 clinchers were way out of balance. I purchased lead tape from my local Dicks Sporting Goods in the Golf section for $9.99. Balanced both wheels, went for a ride and man what a dream. Like rolling on a sheet of ice. Not even the slightest vibration. Helps big time in the group, by allowing me to hold an even MORE stable line. Why did I NOT do this sooner. I used the same exact technique that I use when I balance propellors for my drones. 12 & 6, 3 & 9. I can stop the wheel at any angle and it stays in place.
Just seen this....Shane...you are spot-on.....I had to add weight to my carbon wheels...I found if I added weight to the spokes ( adjacent to rim ...and I used tennis racket lead / adhesive weights )...added to three spokes ....major weight to the spoke near opposite to valve ....diminishing outward had same effect .paint em black ....keeps your wheels looking clean and mean .
Holy shit, I've been living with this shaking on my back wheel for a while. I've experienced some extremely scary speed wobbles because of this. Thanks.
Most useful GP Lama video ever. 👍🏻
At high speed on rollers, this has helped! Thank you!
Mate haven't even finished the video and im already enlighten. Great work.
Even if you don't race, looks like it might make a difference in stability if you ride in an area with a lot of downhills. Cars and motorcycles don't just balance for efficiency, that shaking gets quite noticeable at highway speeds.
It's not just stability, out of balance shaking increases stress on wheel bearings, spokes, rim and frame. Definitely worth doing for any bike.
Brilliant video, I’m doing this on my “good” bike. I’ve got 30mm carbon clinchers with 60mm valve stems at the minute so firstly I’m going to get some new tubes with shorter valves and go from there!
fookin el lad keep it up
your videos are amazing keep up the great work
Excellent video - just what I needed to know. Thanks.
Saw this and went to my bike with some older aluminium wheels, span them, and wow, that wobble is huge! As someone else mentioned, the front wheel has a magnet on it, so I just moved that so it's opposite, and that helped. Next stop: golf weights you linked!
Looking forward to what it does to the handling, ignoring the efficiency issue. The amount of wobble I felt through the frame was pretty strong.
very interesting and informative will be balancing my wheels tomorow. awesome video
Hi Shane
You got me on to this some time ago,many thanks for that.I bought a sheet of thin lead from a plumbing shop.They use it for flashing around plumbing fixtures (not baring themselves to the general public) I just cut off whatever I need and stick it on the rim.It cost bugger all and I have enough to last a life time.A change of tyre or tube will generally require a rebalance going by my experience.I've got a nice set of Enve's that have a horrible shake in the rear wheel,this video has given me a kick in the bum to go and glance them. Great work mate.
I use silicon as the adhesive and like you cover with black duct tape 👍
Shane - terrific video - thank you very much. It is truly astonishing that high end carbon bike wheels do not come balanced. Of course the tube and tire can affect the balance so perhaps the manufacturer has few options...but still your solution is nice.
Oh great another thing for me to worry about! I've never seen this done before but makes perfect sense. Thanks!
Nice vid! I put the weight strips under my rim tape... very clean install.
dude...simply your best video by far!!!have the same problem on my training bike will be giving this a go...Raul has lost some weight since we last saw him,hope he is doing ok
Raoul is all about the marginal gains! Working on his w/kg no doubt. :)
Absolutely fascinating, many thanks amigo
Best video. A real eye opener!
Shane, Another great video. It might be also good to point out to people that the root cause of wheel radial inbalance may be that the wheel is not round with uneven spoke tension, that also results in uneven mass distribution. So it may not always be caused by mass at the valve (hole or stem).
Nice video! I have been doing this for many years as well. At first I tried wrapping a fine strand of copper wire around the spoke. What I settled on was to twist electronic solder onto the spoke itself. Electronic solder comes in many diameters, so don't get the thin stuff. The one downside is that there is a rosin core in electronic solder. It is such a minimal amount that the only drawback has been a slight stickiness on the spoke and solder over time. The other downside to solder is that it contains lead and one should be mindful of lead toxicity. Latex gloves or proper hand cleaning is warranted.
Whether a wire strand or solder, when spun on the spoke it ends up like a compressed spring wrapped around it. This works surprisingly well and provides a wide range of adjustment and no worries about adhesive weights or interfering with the rim braking surface.
Also, if the tire ends up being another source of the balance issue, once the tire is changed and not mounted in the exact position as before, the wheel may be again out of balance. The adhesive weights may be troublesome to remove after the adhesive dries and is further baked on from the sun. The electronic solder "spring" can be easily unspun from the spoke and spun back on a new counter balance point. Other metal wire may be more difficult. In either case it is still possible to make it easy to re-balance the wheel for on-road tire replacements, where a few minutes of re-balance keeps your ride running smooth for the remainder of the ride.
The melting temperature of solder is not a concern and keeps it shape around the spoke. If things get hot enough to melt solder, we've got other serious issues to be concerned about :)
I've been doing this for years since my loaded bike became a basket ball at about 40 mph on a down hill, giving much entertainment for passing cars. The cause was the required wheel reflectors. 3-M reflective tape and solder balancing did the trick.
Fantastic job ! Thanks
Thanks for the video! That is ever insightful.
Really cool to see the difference. Might also want to make sure the hub is in the center too. I was breaking spokes on my enves (3.4 rear) and found out that the wheel had a slight 'hump'.
Thank you Shane! Always wondered what not felt quite "right" about my tubular race wheels. No you got me covered. Instantly ordered some weights. I have the feeling that this issue is even worse for most tubular wheels, because of the glue adding another variable into the mix.
Great video I'm building a motorbike and my rear wheel was shaking so I decided I'm going to balance it.thank u
Always thought there was something in a balanced wheel
Great vid
My Rapide CLX 60s are as bad as those 40s, and that shakiness always drove me insane... I think I'm gonna try this, Shane. Excellent video
It's not just about energy efficence. It's also a matter of comfort and noise! 😃 I don't like that noise when an unbalanced wheel is in resonance with the bike.
I have thought about wheel balance since I bought my first road bike 5 years ago. I had always noticed the wheels always dropped, downward, on the valve stems weight. And that wobble they get , I thought, had to be affecting the ride efficiency. This video just quantifies that I need to balance them. I plan on finding the correct weight(or as close as I can get to it), and then removing the tire and installing the weights under the rim strip. No need to give my competitors the same edge :D
Great vid, Man.
the comfort change alone will be worth it. i'll be doing that soon. thanks
That is a tech/hack video for the ages. Shane you're a Legend. I thought my Aeolus 5 tubulars were unbalanced because of the glue. This ebay seller will soon go out of stock!
Great video, just checked my Reynolds Strike wheels. 13g front and 17g rear, what a difference. Thank you
Always top information Thanks 🙏
Your presentation of this topic is very well Balanced.
🥁
But, it did indeed help me. My rear wheel did womp when i checked it, thought it was out of round. Thank you.
Old school thing I used to do was put the speed sensor magnet opposite the valve for a similar effect, those magnets are not light!!
Rieger81 and magnets stick to each other so easy to add more weight. I like the silca balance pod
Holy smokes Shane.. amazing!
Great vid, I knew how to true and dish a wheel, but balance, now I know!
Awesome video Shane, I always believed that bicycle wheels have to be balanced too. I just showed it!
Incredibly informative and a great vid. I must admit I was worried for your fingers when you would spin the wheel in the jig.
My wheels were out of balance but not at the valve strangely!! Fantastic vid.
Very useful Video, I went to a bike shop in Belgium with my FFWD wheels that I bought used and he told me they were a bit out of balance but they were true. So I'll try your trick on both wheels :D
Just bought some race wheels that seemed to be absolutely perfectly balanced 'til I put the valves and tyres on. Thinking about it, it makes perfect sense that a 75mm valve would weigh enough to throw the balance off, surprised it's not taken into account when building.