Whats causing the front wheel to lock?

13-04-2021 8:17pm #1

Hi cyclists

My next door neighbour has asked me to look at her bike as the front wheel keeps on locking when its turned slightly to the left. It only happens when turning to the left, not the right, and it feels as if the brakes are on.

I had a quick look today but couldn't see an obvious problem although the front brakes did appear to be very close to the rim of the wheel, but at a quick glance I don't think its that.

What things should I be looking for? it will save me a lot of head wrecking tomorrow.

Many thanks

con747 · 13-04-2021 8:34pm

Did you check the axle locking nuts? Not much other than brakes and axle could cause that.

13-04-2021 9:04pm

I'll google axle locking nuts, that's probably it. Thanks

con747 · 13-04-2021 9:05pm

It's the thin nut that locks the axle cone in place to stop it locking up on the wheel bearings.

13-04-2021 9:07pm

Thanks Con, that will save me a lot of head scratching tomorrow

con747 · 13-04-2021 9:12pm

Out of interest did you check for a bad buckle in the wheel or if the forks got bent back and the tyre is catching the frame? If not the brakes or axle it's all I can think of.

13-04-2021 9:17pm

Super stuff, I'll check those before i start to get the spanners out, much appreciated.

Lemming · 13-04-2021 10:12pm

Is her front wheel use an axle/bolt/nuts or QR? If it's QR, check the QR axle is secured (i.e. isn't loose) and if that all seems ok and the wheel still feels like it's moving a bit, give the QR arm/housing mechanism a squirt of some lube to allow it move freely enough to clamp up fully and stop the wheel "floating" in effect.

13-04-2021 10:48pm

Thanks Lemming that's very helpful too. I'll feel like I'm a real bike mechanic tomorrow,

Cheers!

kenmc · 14-04-2021 7:12am

Check the brake cable routing is ok too, if it's right hand front brake, and it engages turning left only, then it could be fouling in something thus engaging it

14-04-2021 11:26am

Thanks KenMc, she did mention that the brake cable had recently been disconnected and had been replaced. That's another one for the checklist.

14-04-2021 12:39pm

Thanks folks, thats sorted now and my retired neighbour is now off cycling on that glorious day.

KenMc's suggestion of the brake cable routing getting snagged and engaging the brake was the problem.

The casing of the brake cable at the handle bar itself had been recently repaired and it had slightly shortened the brake engagment time. When turing the handle bar left, the cable was snagging on the frame, so I readjusted the brake cable.

Saved me a lot of guess work and time. Cheers! Enjoy the sun.

kenmc · 14-04-2021 6:02pm

Felipe Delicious Coyote wrote: »

Thanks folks, thats sorted now and my retired neighbour is now off cycling on that glorious day.

KenMc's suggestion of the brake cable routing getting snagged and engaging the brake was the problem.

The casing of the brake cable at the handle bar itself had been recently repaired and it had slightly shortened the brake engagment time. When turing the handle bar left, the cable was snagging on the frame, so I readjusted the brake cable.

Saved me a lot of guess work and time. Cheers! Enjoy the sun.

It's usually the simplest solution! Great stuff.

Whats causing the front wheel to lock?

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