How do you true a bike wheel that is out of round?

To fix out-of round, you’ll be tweaking both side spokes at a time, 1/4 turn or less. It takes more time and more patience than side-to-side, so put some tunes on. But the end result is a perfectly trued wheel, and a lot more life out of your current wheel and brake pads.

Can you true a wheel with the tire on?

The absolute answer to your question is yes.

How tight should spokes be?

Spoke Tension – Front and Rear Wheels On front wheels the tension should be equal on both sides. On rear wheels the tension will be higher on the right side, or drive side of the wheel. Therefore proper spoke tension should be measured on both sides, but set to the right side spokes of rear wheels.

Is it hard to true a wheel?

Truing a wheel involves tightening and loosening the spoke nipples to realign warped sections of the rim, and it’s something you can do at home. “It’s meticulous and time-consuming, but the actual principle of it is pretty simple,” says Justin McCloud, professional bike mechanic and owner of Blackbird Bike Co.

Can a wheel be out of round?

Tire runout — also sometimes referred to as out-of-round — involves a tire which is no longer perfectly round. As a result, the tire’s balance will be thrown off. Radial runout, which tends to be more common, has to do with the distance between a tire’s tread and the center of the wheel.

How can you tell if a tire is out of round?

An out of round tire has a weak spot or spots in the tire. These typically look like a subtle flat patch along the tread of your tire. This patch or spot can be seen when the vehicle is stationary or parked.

How often should I true my wheels?

You can do a quick check by plucking the spokes like a string. They should all have a nice high note. You should have them trued and tensioned about once a year if you ride often. To be honest I don’t check every ride, especially since I got disc brakes.

What happens if my spokes are too long?

Spokes which are too long are at risk of bottoming out before you can achieve sufficient spoke tension. This is generally the “correct” length plus 2mm. Spokes which are too short will be weak as they will not reach the strongest part of the nipple – the nipple head. This is a recipe for early failure.

What do you need to know about truing wheels?

Of all the maintenance and repair jobs that may be needed on a bicycle, the trickiest is truing (straightening) wheels. A good wheelbuilder, in many cases, can do amazing things for a wheel that might appear to be totally destroyed.

Can a wheel truing stand be used as a pointer?

A wheel-truing stand allows easier and more accurate work. It is also possible to use anything that can hold the wheel steady as a truing stand, such as the frame. A pointer can be created by using the brake pads. Radial truing and rim centering are typically not an issue when only minor corrections are made.

Can a truing stand be used on a bicycle?

In most wheels where the rim weaves from side to side, the problem is the result of the rim’s being bent. Remove the tire, tube and rim tape if you haven’t already. If a truing stand is available, use it. If not, your bicycle will do.

Are there any wheels that are not rideable?

One additional warning: The techniques described here are not very applicable to “boutique” wheels with low spoke counts, unevenly-spaced spokes and rigid, deep-section rims, whether of aluminum or carbon fiber. These wheels often cannot be made rideable if damaged. That is one good reason not to ride such wheels.