I have a flat spot on my back wheel. I do biketrials (stunt riding on an mountain bike), and how do mechanics fix this problem?
Is there something I can do on my own before taking it to the shop?
Are there special tools apart from a hammer to fix this problem?
Thanks
2006-12-30 21:29:32 · 4 answers · asked by turbine l 2 in Sports ➔ Cycling
Take it to the mechanic and have him true (straighten) the wheel. It might cost $15 - $30, but it is cheaper than buying a new wheel.
The special tool they have is a truing stand, which tells them where the flat/crooked spots are. They run $50, but take a bit of experience to get good at using. They also use spoke tools to tighten/loosen spokes. Might as well let the professionals do it.
2007-01-01 11:25:15 · answer #1 · answered by Andrew W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it a steel or alloy rim? I'm assuming the rim has a flat spot? You may try using a spoke wrench on it, but if it truly has a flat spot, you'll need a new rim. If it's old-style steel, you can probably get an adjustable wrench, tighten it around the flat spot on the rim and leverage it back out. It's not a pretty fix, but it'll buy you some time until you get a new rim. The labor to fix this problem would probably outweigh getting a whole new wheel. Unless of course you do the work yourself. Get a spoke wrench, truing stand, and a new rim... you could do it yourself.
2007-01-01 21:52:27 · answer #2 · answered by sam_of_losangeles 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the fastest i've gone thru a back tire is three weeks, and usually what happens is you'll be in the middle of a gnarly skid (down a gnarly hill in seattle, in my case), and POP goes my tube! (due to the new hole in my tire). some tires wear faster than others, tho. i find that the cheapest (~$30) tires don't last very long. but i use an 'armadillo' rear tire (see source), which so far has lasted two months. nothing is skid-proof, but the armadillo is the best tire i've found yet. from what i recall they go for around 50 bucks. it also depends on what kind of skidding you're doing. for little 'hops' you won't wear them out as quick, or if you backpedal but don't lock up the rear wheel, you don't have to worry as much. an interesting thing about the armadillo tire is that it sticks to the road much better, so it's actually harder to lock up the rear tire than with a cheap continental tire. this way you don't end up skidding on it quite as much, which may not be as fun, but will save you money in the long run.
2016-03-29 01:49:05 · answer #3 · answered by Edeltraud 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A flat spot on a wheel might be hard to fix. (I assume you mean wheel and not tire). Even if it was fixed, it might give you trouble in the future. If it were me, I would just get a new wheel.
2006-12-30 23:05:07 · answer #4 · answered by crazydave 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋