Originally Posted by
cxwrench
If the OP brought his bike in to my shop the first thing I'd do is ride it. If it wasn't completely normal I'd swap a wheel from a bike on the floor and see if there was any difference. This is so simple but I guess not all shop mechanics are of the 'sharper tool in the shed' gang.
Exactly this, i.e., try to replicate with different wheels, first front alone, then back alone, then both.
All the references to wheel "balance" in this thread, are they really discussing whether the wheel needs to be trued?