Front end 'clunk'

[Pulse]

I know that's a very vague title, but that's pretty much it!

My bike is 'clunking' intermittently, and appears to be coming from the front - I can feel it through the handlebars.

The only thing I can think that I've changed is I took my front wheel off the other day to sort my brake pads and have put it back on much tighter than it was before. Would that cause a clunk?

The bike is a 2012 Cannondale SL3, if that helps.

[Jimbo.]

Shouldn't do. On the assumption the wheel's in correctly and the brakes/pads are all tight, I'd check the headset first.

Also, Rockshox forks with travel adjusted? Do they still clunk like the RS of old?

[Pulse]

The forks are actually RST, so not sure, but they are adjustable with lockout (which I use a lot). Doesn't seem to change whether it's on or off, though.

I thought headset, but it's a brand new bike (well, about 200 miles in). Could it simply be loose?

I am a complete doofus when it comes to bikes.

[supersan23]

As said it could be the headset, the best way to figure it out is to hold the front brake on and rock the bike back and forward, if there is any play you should be able to feel it.
Si

[Rocksteadyeddie]

supersan23 said:

As said it could be the headset, the best way to figure it out is to hold the front brake on and rock the bike back and forward, if there is any play you should be able to feel it.
Si

^^^ this ^^^

[itsnotarace]

Wheek could be fractionally offset so not running centrally. Turn bike upside down and release and retighten skewer and see if the wheel settles in a little

[Pulse]

Cheers all. Will check it tomorrow!

[supersan23]

Keep us all posted

[Rolls]

Grease your skewer too... Solved it on mine!

[Pulse]

supersan23 said:

Keep us all posted

Well, I had the opportunity to tighten up the headset the other day, which I did. Started my ride yesterday and the bike did feel better, but mid-ride I noticed it again. Oddly, I do seem to notice it half way through a ride normally, rather than straight away...

Now, I'm not sure if I'm imagining it, but it does seem to do it when I turn the handlebar to the right from a central or left position. So when I was shattered and riding up a hill twisting the handlebars as I went on Monday, I noticed it happen each time the handlebar was turned. Could this indicate anything?

[Rolls]

Did you grease the skewer too?

[Pulse]

Rolls said:

Did you grease the skewer too?

I didn't - I need to get some grease and get that done ASAP. What is recommended?

[Pulse]

Ok, so I've noticed play in my front wheel. Or at least, what I think is play. The back wheel doesn't do it. Could that be what's causing it? If so, how do I go about resolving this?

[Jimbo.]

Pulse said:

Ok, so I've noticed play in my front wheel. Or at least, what I think is play. The back wheel doesn't do it. Could that be what's causing it? If so, how do I go about resolving this?

Could be. Check yer' bearings.

[itsnotarace]

Pulse said:

Ok, so I've noticed play in my front wheel. Or at least, what I think is play. The back wheel doesn't do it. Could that be what's causing it? If so, how do I go about resolving this?

What wheels?

With Mavics you adjust while on the bike. Clamp skewer to normal tightness and then use either the Mavic tool or needlenose pliers and just tighten it up until the wheel no longer spins freely, then back off 1/8th of a turn until it spins freely again

[Pulse]

This is from the Cannondale website:

RIMS
MADDUX DC3.0, DOUBLE WALL W/EYELET, 28 HOLE FRONT, 32 HOLE REAR
HUBS
CANNONDALE C4 FRONT & REAR