Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

Best Black Friday E-Bike Deals 2024 | Up to $1,700 in Savings

New: Take Part in the November Giveaway: Starts November 18th


Replacing rear wheel after patching a flat
#1
Hi, I'm having some trouble reattaching my daughter's rear wheel to the frame after fixing her flat. It's a 20" wheel, single speed, with linear pull brakes. I have it reinstalled and with what seems to be a good tension on the chain, but it's rubbing the brakes and it's a real chore to pedal.

I had to go through this just last week when my son did the same with his. It was a learning curve (lots of youtube help) but I got it right on the third try. But he has horizontal forks where the axle goes on, so it seemed to be just a matter of getting it the right distance and holding it while I tightened the nuts.

This bike has the forks which angle down and slightly forward - if the bicycle was upright, I'd say they pointed south-south-east, if that helps. It seems less forgiving, and I'm having a hard time getting aligned so there's good tension, it's not rubbing the brakes, and it sits more or less straight in the frame.

Any tricks I'm missing?

Also, I'm doing this without a repair stand. That may be a large part of the problem right there, but such as it is, I'm doing without, and it's frustrating. Any help and advice would be welcome.
  Reply
#2
(12-03-2015, 07:44 AM)munnikm Wrote:  Hi, I'm having some trouble reattaching my daughter's rear wheel to the frame after fixing her flat. It's a 20" wheel, single speed, with linear pull brakes. I have it reinstalled and with what seems to be a good tension on the chain, but it's rubbing the brakes and it's a real chore to pedal.

I had to go through this just last week when my son did the same with his. It was a learning curve (lots of youtube help) but I got it right on the third try. But he has horizontal forks where the axle goes on, so it seemed to be just a matter of getting it the right distance and holding it while I tightened the nuts.

This bike has the forks which angle down and slightly forward - if the bicycle was upright, I'd say they pointed south-south-east, if that helps. It seems less forgiving, and I'm having a hard time getting aligned so there's good tension, it's not rubbing the brakes, and it sits more or less straight in the frame.

Any tricks I'm missing?

Also, I'm doing this without a repair stand. That may be a large part of the problem right there, but such as it is, I'm doing without, and it's frustrating. Any help and advice would be welcome.

I just turn the bike upside down so it is resting on the seat and the handle bars. Loosen the wheel nuts. Then you have to either release the brakes or let the air out if the tires, in most cases, for the wheel to pass through the brake pad opening to remove it.  To install, place the wheel between the stays and just below the drop outs, put the chain over the rear cog and slide the wheel axel up into the rear drop outs. (if its a front wheel no cog of course). Then position the wheel as far into the dropouts as it will go, while allowing for a little play in the chain. Then tighten the wheel nuts until they just hit the drop outs. Position the wheel dead center between the wheel/seat stay (where the brake pads are attached and tighten each side a bit at a time until the wheel fits right in the middle of the wheel/seat stays (they run from the rear drop out to the seat post) or if it is the front, set in the middle of the front forks. Hope this helps, and is clearer then mud. Elmer.
"Where ever we go, there we are"
  Reply
#3
There should not be too much tension on the chain, it should droop a little.  Most people try to put too much tension in the chain.
Nigel
  Reply
#4
Thanks. I went at it again this morning, and I think the v-brake "noodle" (is that the term?) was sitting too far forward in its bracket; wiggling it, it went back just a touch, and that relaxed the brakes enough for the rim to run smoothly. It still took a few takes to get it seated right, and I may have a tad too much chain tension, but she rode it into school with no difficulties.
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Recording Bike Rides
Yesterday 01:37 AM
Ketone Ester $$$
11-19-2024 01:04 AM
Trek domane tyre
11-18-2024 01:58 PM
Old fossil buys Ebike
11-17-2024 06:39 AM
Bike bus
11-17-2024 12:14 AM
Second wheelset for ebike.
11-16-2024 08:20 PM
Humber "Eiffel Safety" bike 1800s
11-16-2024 03:05 PM
Moving in Style: Beyond Regular Transpor...
11-15-2024 03:01 PM
Great UK Cycle Camping Map, For E-Bikes,...
11-10-2024 06:55 AM
Cycling is Anti-Aging, But There's a Cat...
11-10-2024 06:48 AM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Jesper
22 posts
no avatar 2. enkei
19 posts
no avatar 3. GirishH
14 posts
no avatar 4. Flowrider
11 posts
no avatar 5. ReapThaWhirlwind
11 posts