Back wheel got Fd today I think going over train tracks…Ive looked on line and if you have the right tool it might be doable, and I am so broke right now. Could I do it myself? any tips? or, how much would this cost at a bike shop?
Step 1 is truing up a wheel. Step 2 is replacing a broken spoke. Before you know it, you’ll be to step 3, building up your own wheelsets.
Tips? It’s best to have a truing stand, but you can do it on the bike. Make small adjustments, particularly for a wheel already tightened. 1/4 or 1/8 turns of the wrench and spin often to check for other places out of true. Also check for any “hop” (rim should be circular when tightened, not ovalized…).
Go to a bike shop
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Think my LBS charged me 15-25 bucks was not bad. at all but I go there all the time for all kind of little crap I think the going rate is around 35.00 . I have four bike shops all within 10 miles of each other. Its a wonder they can all stay in business. One guy specializes in truing wheels. The closest of the three and my favorite.
it costs $15 to get a wheel trued at my lbs (assuming nothing’s broken), and spoke wrenches usually cost around $10, so no big savings…
however, the lbs has kept my wheel for a week and a half, so there might be some time savings.
i find that if you look around youtube you can find great instructions on how to do anything wrench related
My wheel was pretty much screwed after I went over the handlebars. I think thats what happened. Wheel was screwed and shifters on aerobars were a little chewed up. Only evedince on the bike at all of a fall. I do not have much memory of what happened except asking directions with blood streaming down my face. Guy fixed it up in a day and I was out riding again the next day with wheel. My guy pretty much always gets things done quick for me no need to do myself.
If you want to invest in a truing stand then also get a bunch of old wheels to pratice on that you will likely destroy.
Truing wheels is a bit of an art. Some people will true a wheel but it won’t be strong b/c of incorrect tension on the spokes.
otherwise I suggest finding a good shop.
Or just buy a 3 spke carbon or full disc wheel and never true again
It ain’t hard
Look at park tools web paged or beter yet sheldonbrown.com
Sheldon is the way to go for bike repair info
If you are a the type that can’t fix shit go to bike shop 6 pack in hand . Shop monkeys will love you.
Second Both Points
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Not that hard. Go slow, be patient…
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Find out what beer your mechanic likes - my old mechanic liked warm Guinness.
David K
Another tip is to remove the tire and true the wheel with just the rim. It is visually easier and more accurate.
like some other people said, do some looking on the net & you’ll find some basic instructions. leaving the wheel on the bike, monitor the brake pad to rim clearance as you tweak the spoke nuts. spin the wheel, find the bent part, tweak, repeat. it’s not really that hard.
Back wheel got Fd today I think going over train tracks
What is it?
Also, if the rim is bent, then it will never be good again…
there’s an old bike shop saying that the $5.00 spoke wrench may be the most expensive tool you’ll ever buy…
So, if you’re broke, learn on someone else’s wheels.
That’s how I did it (-;.
My LBS trues my wheels for free. But I have purchased 4 bikes from him over the years and he knows I am looking at buying my wife a new one soon. So I don’t do mine any more because it is quicker and gives me an excuse to hang out at the bike shop.
When tensioning spokes, it is easy to go to far. If your wheel is truly messed up, you may be able to get it back in the short term, but you will start popping spokes. I would not plan on riding a century right after truing my first wheel.