Troubleshooting › Wheels & tires

Wheel knocks or moves side to side: causes and fixes

Grab the rim and push it sideways. Any knock is worth fixing before it wears the hub out.

Check it on your own bike

1. Quick release or axle not tight · Most likely

   Re-seat the wheel and close the quick release firmly, or torque the axle or nuts.

   Fix: Use a quick release properly · Install a thru-axle wheel · Remove and refit a bolt-on wheel

2. Loose hub cones · Most likely

   Cup-and-cone hubs loosen over time. Adjust the cones until play just disappears with the wheel clamped in the frame (quick-release hubs: leave a hair of play off the bike).

   Fix: Adjust and service cup-and-cone hubs

3. Worn sealed bearings · Sometimes

   Thru-axle hubs: rough or loose bearings get replaced.

   Fix: Check and replace sealed hub bearings