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Urgent help-wheel cover causing drag?!

Dawn CassDawn Cass
in General Training Discussions
Hi, race on Sunday and have an issue...

Have wheel cover from wheelbuilder.

Checked an installed correctly, however...when pedalled, on middle gears, the entire drive chain actually moves (without my feet pedalling)!

In effect, I am getting drag from somewhere but don't see anything obvious.

Tried another wheel, no cover and doesn't behave like that. Tried swapping cassettes, no cover...doesn't behave like that either.

Anyone have this issue?!

Comments

  • Peter NoyesPeter Noyes
    Make sure cassette is all the way off including last spacer. Maybe cover is caught in between parts of cassette?
  • Dawn CassDawn Cass
    Thanks Peter...did some playing and it does have to do with the cassette. I had taped the back of cover to spokes to get a smoother look, as many recommended. By doing so, I caused the cover to touch the spacers causing drag.

    Removed tape and much much better....but still does not spin as free as without the cover on.

    Now internal debate in my head to use...or not unless there are other suggestions on what I could tweak?
  • Kane MurphyKane Murphy
    Dawn - I have had the same thing happen with a wheel cover. On mine, I had to have the center hole in the wheelcover perfectly positioned over the hub on the wheel. I didn't have to enlarge the wheel cover hole any, but if it wasn't perfectly centered with just a tiny bit of clearance all the way around the hub, the cover would catch the very back of the hub and spin the drive train. You could just not plan on coasting and it wouldn't be an issue....
  • drjohnson08drjohnson08
    I used to have a similar issue with my old wheelcover. To solve it, I poked a bunch of holes in the cover (drive side) near the spokes. I then used thin wire to pull the cover tight against the spokes and away from the cassette. Attached the other side as normal and never had the issue again.
  • robin sarnerrobin sarner
    would get checked by bike shop.
  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    EVERYONE READING THIS -- THIS IS WHY YOU PUT THE WHEELCOVER ON AND RIDE IT STARTING 14 DAYS OUT. image

    Good luck Dawn!
  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    I had to cut a larger hole in the wheel cover to prevent that "drag". Now the chain/crank doesn't spin when free-wheelin.
  • jello4jello4
    A little late, but remember when you are pedaling the cassette is driving the wheel and they are both moving in the same direction so, if I am understanding the problem correctly, there should be no drag. It would only drag when free wheeling. What a great incentive to 'just keep pedaling'...

    That said, I would still fix it because it is not right.
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