2007-05-15 07:34:48 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Cycling
It's one of those things where you really should go to a reputable bike repair for truing.
2007-05-15 08:57:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Systematically close the gap on the brake pads (make sure brakes are centered overall), and do 1/4 turns on the spokes you think will align it. Do a 1/4 turn, spin the wheel, and see what happened. DO NOT tighten/loosen more than 1 spoke at a time, it is easy to lose track of what you did to whichever spoke. Slowly tighten the brakes as the wobble starts to decrease. Tighten the brakes with the tension adjuster, not the brake lever. You should be able to eventually be able to spin the wheel and not have it touch the brake pads at all. Use the brakes as a reference for 'roundness' as well. Readjust the brakes so that you have about 1/8" gap from the rim.
Oh yeah, when you think it's true, pluck all of the spokes.
They should all sound about the same.
DANGER - I you over-tighten the spokes, you could have catastrophic failure. The same applies if they spokes are too loose.
If you have disc brakes, it can be a little more difficult (no brake pad reference).
I say, spend the money to have a bike shop do it, at least once. It's worth the money to have a properly trued wheel as a reference.
Again, if the spokes are too loose, or too tight, your wheel could fail.
I have seen people go to the hospital from their wheels blowing apart.
There are spoke tension measuring tools, this might be a good investment.
If unsure, take it to a shop.
Hospital visits can be a real bummer.
Be honest with yourself, if you are not mechanically inclined, do not attempt to do this.
This can be a fatal error.
2007-05-17 13:42:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends upon how badly out of round it is. Support the axle and spin the wheel. If it wobbles side to side, it needs to be trued. If it acts like it has a hump in it, it is ovate. To tune the wheel, you need to remove the tire, tube and liner. Tighten or loosen the spokes as necessary to adjust the tension on the rim. The spokes come from four different directions at any point on the rim, so this needs to be taken into account. Any bent spokes need to be replaced before you start, and all spokes should be tight enough so they don't rattle. If the wheel or rim is bent as a result of a hard spill or accident/collision, it is usually easier to replace the whole wheel assembly.
2007-05-15 14:48:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is not totally warped, turn bike upside down and spin the wheel. Notice the RIM, not the tire. Find the area(s) that are off center. Using a good pair of pliers or spoke wrench, loosen the spokes on the side of the bulge. Tighten the spokes on the opposite side. You will be amazed at how quickly you can straighten it.
2007-05-15 16:05:28 · answer #4 · answered by mar m 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The art of straightening a bicycle wheel is called truing. It involves using a spoke wrench to adjust spoke tension to pull the rim into alignment. If the actual rim is bent though, it is very hard to get it straight and round again.
2007-05-15 14:44:18 · answer #5 · answered by Jay P 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you can sand on it and try that but you will never be able to get it perfect again,
2007-05-15 14:41:53 · answer #6 · answered by luigiadams 1 · 0⤊ 5⤋