disk brake / spoke noise

[slm135]

Just recently got my first bike with disk brakes. I've ridden it several times now. The last couple of rides I've started to get a noise (almost like a playing card in the spokes) when I apply the front brake. It's especially noticeable when I'm turning. I've tightened up the spokes a little bit, but that hasn't eliminated/changed the noise. The non-disk side spokes seem to be under less tension. Is it likely due to low spoke tension and I should tighten them more, or could it be something else? I'd appreciate any advice that can be offered. Thanks!

Steve

[langer]

Just recently got my first bike with disk brakes. I've ridden it several times now. The last couple of rides I've started to get a noise (almost like a playing card in the spokes) when I apply the front brake. It's especially noticeable when I'm turning. I've tightened up the spokes a little bit, but that hasn't eliminated/changed the noise. The non-disk side spokes seem to be under less tension. Is it likely due to low spoke tension and I should tighten them more, or could it be something else? I'd appreciate any advice that can be offered. Thanks!

Steve
Wheels with disc brakes or any wheel with dish will have spoke tensions that are uneven from non-disc to disc side. Dish is when the rim is not perfectly centered between the hub flanges due to offsets for the rotor mount or rear cassette hub. I doubt it would be the spokes, check the qr or maybe the caliper bolts for tightness. See if the rotor is centered between the pads of the caliper. Could be a whole host of problems, maybe something normal like the pads still bedding in.
Word.
-jon

[rizetech]

I would check and suspect brake installation/alignment first (given the wheel is in correct and all that jazz) - make sure the caliper isn't excessively close to the spokes (you can space the rotor out and get the caliper farther away if needed), all the brake setup is proper, then i'd check the wheel dish. if the dish turns out to be good, and the tension on the disc side (the non-disc side isn't as important since it's going to be less) is proper, then it's possibly the lacing of the wheel - shimano hubs direct that you lace a disc wheel in a specific manner to prevent the spokes from "flexing" into the caliper under heavy braking - but since it seems like cornering is a trigger as well, i would expect this to be a last possible explanation. However, i'd be fascinated if that were the problem - we have an ongoing debate about whether or not shimano is right...

[PunkRock]

Just recently got my first bike with disk brakes...If this means you just bought a brand new bike, I'd take it back to the dealer and let them check it out. Obviously you won't get the satisfaction of fixing it yourself, but if it is a new bike the dealer should stand behind it and fix it for you.

[slm135]

Appreciate all of the comments. I bought the bike off of Ebay; it had been a demo for a bike shop out west. I'll check everything suggested to see if I can get the noise stopped. Thanks!

[mark w]

What kind of brakes?

Make sure the spring holding the pads apart isn't tangled in the rotor. I had this happen with a set of Avid BB7s.

[slm135]

The brakes are Tektro Auriga hydraulics. Thanks for the suggestion!