New Tires & a New Noise...

A local bike shop installed a set of Dunlop tires on my bike last week.

It is great to have tires that aren't in danger of popping! :blink: But, now I notice a squeak noise coming from the front of the bike. It most definitely was not there before the tire changes.

The squeak is intermittent but is audible about 80-90% of the ride regardless of if I'm accelerating, decelerating or coasting.

What should I be looking for? Is there something that commonly goes wrong with a bearing or something when tires are changed?

Does the noise change when you hit the brakes? It's possible that they got some tire lube, greasy hand prints on the disc brake? Also, rim is mounted thru axle hole on tire machine, you may have to check bearing set up. You can install axle and rest each end on jack stands and spin for noise.

For starters, get the front end off the ground,, use center stand and jack up the front end and spin the tire and see if you can find where the source of the noise is. May be as simple as the speedometer cable not being mounted properly.
Ride safe

Hey Guys, thanks for the help.

I don't recall if the noise changes when I apply the brakes or not. I do notice the noise when the breaks are not applied though.

Couldn't test it out today as Colorado Springs got its first snow storm today. I'll check it out on the next ride and report back.

I can try the center stand idea though so I'll give that a go tomorrow and let ya'll know what I find.

Thanks again!

OK, I just put the front end up and spun the wheel. Yep it makes a noise. As best as I can tell it sounds like the right side brake pads are rubbing on the rotor but it could be the left as well.

I took a look at the calipers and the one on the right is more loose than the left one. When I say 'loose' I mean that it moves side to side not front to back.

Are the rotors supposed to rub slightly when the wheel is spinning? I had thought that the break pads should be completely disengaged from the rotor when the brake lever is not pressed...? :S

So, should I get the caliper to stop moving side to side and see what happens after that? If so, which bolts do I tighten down?

its supposed to touch but not drag. but im speaking in turns of automotive breaks as for bikes im sure its the same. As for what bolt to tighten im not to sure myself. I would just experiment until someone else chimes in with a better suggestion.

I explored a little and found that the bolts that hold the calipers on and the other ones around that area are snug. So...I pulled out the shop manual and according to it, when the front tire is removed, at least one caliper has to be removed. Additionally, it said that when the caliper is taken off to put a wood wedge between the brake pads to keep them from accidentally moving.

So, I'm wondering if they got jarred or something like that. In order to check it I have to do a bunch of stuff so I'm going to hold off till the weekend when I'll have time for a potential big project.

Does anyone know if it is safe to spray some type of lubricant on the axle and if so, what kind?

Well it turned out to be nothing. The squeaking noise went away after a good solid ride and using the brakes a good bit. My guess is that they just needed to 're-set' themselves...thanks for the help.