[Sunlover]

My front wheel on my bike is a 700c road bike wheel.

Unfortunately, when I am riding hard, the saddle swings from side to side and I can hear the spokes creaking against one another.

I weigh 235 lbs. Should I get a heavier grade wheel, or is there anything I can do to repair this issue? The sway gets bad enough that the rim starts to rub against the brake pads when I really step on it.

[BigDumbBear]

take it to a shop and get them to true(straighten) the wheel and tighten up the spokes. An upgrade is likely NOT needed, just a little work.

[tajcrews]

It could just need some additional spoke tension. If the wheel is radial laced in the front that would be an issue to since you weigh over 200. A 3 cross wheel shouldn't be giving you any issues if properly tensioned. I am a clydesdale myself so i know the feeling and its very easy to make wheels flex, especially on a road bike.

[Sean]

Have them check your whole bike, the squeek may not be coming from the wheels. It is sometimes very tricky to isolate a creaking noise.

[flyingdog]

Sunlover..
Here's an article you may find interesting..

http://www.johnforester.com/Articles/BicycleEng/Wheel.htm

Particularly this paragraph:

Note this paradox: heavier cyclists should have tighter spokes. Since the wheel supports weight by reducing the tension in the bottom few spokes, unless there is sufficient initial tension to more than support the cyclist's weight as amplified by the bumps in the road, the bottom spoke will become loose over the worst bumps. If it becomes loose, the head works and flexes in the flange hole, and the nipple tends to unscrew from the v

[mtndoc]

Originally Posted by Sean

Have them check your whole bike, the squeek may not be coming from the wheels. It is sometimes very tricky to isolate a creaking noise.

I hear noises in my bike all the time, but I'm pretty sure it is my joints not the bike

DrB