Looks rough but the least you could do is try. I wouldn’t bet on it though.
vantablack90 on
Nope .. its done
Ass_Over_Teakettle on
They can probably true it, but it’s likely just a ticking time bomb. Your cheapest and most effective option would be to have your LBS rebuild it with a new rim using the existing hub. Your teeth aren’t worth risking, IMO.
BadFeisty6728 on
You could definitely bring that back, but it will warp back into the shape Eventually the next time you hit a good size bump so it’s best to purchase a new rim or wheel
Due_Fact_9 on
Honestly, I think it can be fixed. Maybe a new spoke but nothing that bad.
DeadBy2050 on
Google videos or written instructions: How to fix taco wheel. Or How to fix buckled wheel.
J_B_T on
That’s too far gone to true with a spoke wrench. The rim is bent and you’d break spokes fast after truing it straight. The best thing to do would be to get a new rim and relace it to the hub. If you pick something with the effective rim diameter (ERD) within 1-2mm of your old rim, you can reuse the spokes and nipples.
That said, unrelated to this, do not replicate, review your dental plan etc., I have trued a rim from a similar state by loosening all spokes and bending the rim between a workshop table and a plank using a few bar clamps.
mazarax on
Get a spoke wrench and have a go at it.
Worst case, you are out of $5 for the tool.
When I tried it on a slightly less damaged wheel, as a newbie, I was able to get a rideable wheel. Maybe it wasn’t perfectly true, but good enough.
Fun little experiment, and if you succeed you will feel quite smug about yourself.
Number4combo on
If its hitting the fork just take it off and you can either smack it on the ground or put a foot on the sides and bounce a lil to get it straighter say you can ride out but take it easy as it can just go back to taco.
Def would replace the rim and spokes.
SobbinginSaabs on
Rim is probably toast but a few RVAPs could get you out of the woods
paulg222 on
Rim definitely too far gone, but spokes might be fine if not broken.
New rim, a copy of Roger Musson’s wheelbuilding book and plenty of cups of tea.
BidSmall186 on
That’s more potato chip than taco. It might be salvageable if no spokes were pulled through or there are no creases in the rim. You need to inspect it carefully for damage.
pRedditor-1967 on
A new wheel or rebuild is best, but I have roughly trued “ tacoed” wheels by taking them out of the fork and slapping them against the ground at the point where the rim has moved over. Use your best judgement of course.
electric_taupe on
You’d be surprised how effective a hard whack on the ground is. I know that it’s not optimal and that the wheel is weakened afterward, but I’ve done that to wheels, finished truing with a spoke wrench, and ridden them for years.
DO NOT TRY TO FIX THIS BY CHANGING SPOKE TENSION, ALONE. That will result in a completely worthless wheel.
hithisispat on
In college I had a rear wheel I needed to true every month or so. This takes me back to those days. Eating ramen. 🍜
Eman_Resu_IX on
While climbing diagonally up a grassy slope on a fully loaded touring bike the front wheel slipped and it became a taco. I thought I was done. I was riding with a group I’d met on the road and their mechanic took the wheel off, eyeballed it, and without saying a word smacked the living shit out of it against a telephone pole. I was stunned. He eyeballed it and did it again, and a third time. 😳
Handed it back to me and said put it back on, open up the brake caliper and we’ll take care of it tonight. Trued it up and I still ride on that bike with that wheel.
Bend it back enough so you can ride home…carefully. remove the tyre. Throw the wheel in the bin.
Or make sure your dental insurance is up to date.
Wolfy35 on
It takes dedication to pretzel a wheel like that.
As it stands give it a go to get it right yourself you have nothing to lose but if it comes to the point of having to take it into a shop if it can be fixed it won’t be cheap. Depending what wheel it is it may be cheaper to buy a new wheel than have it fixed
angusshangus on
Its incredible how many folks on these bike wrench posts suggest fixing damage like this and probably do that sort of thing in their real lives! If it was me I’d just replace a wheel tacoed like this one, it would be hard for this wheel to ever be the same.
20 Comments
Looks rough but the least you could do is try. I wouldn’t bet on it though.
Nope .. its done
They can probably true it, but it’s likely just a ticking time bomb. Your cheapest and most effective option would be to have your LBS rebuild it with a new rim using the existing hub. Your teeth aren’t worth risking, IMO.
You could definitely bring that back, but it will warp back into the shape Eventually the next time you hit a good size bump so it’s best to purchase a new rim or wheel
Honestly, I think it can be fixed. Maybe a new spoke but nothing that bad.
Google videos or written instructions: How to fix taco wheel. Or How to fix buckled wheel.
That’s too far gone to true with a spoke wrench. The rim is bent and you’d break spokes fast after truing it straight. The best thing to do would be to get a new rim and relace it to the hub. If you pick something with the effective rim diameter (ERD) within 1-2mm of your old rim, you can reuse the spokes and nipples.
That said, unrelated to this, do not replicate, review your dental plan etc., I have trued a rim from a similar state by loosening all spokes and bending the rim between a workshop table and a plank using a few bar clamps.
Get a spoke wrench and have a go at it.
Worst case, you are out of $5 for the tool.
When I tried it on a slightly less damaged wheel, as a newbie, I was able to get a rideable wheel. Maybe it wasn’t perfectly true, but good enough.
Fun little experiment, and if you succeed you will feel quite smug about yourself.
If its hitting the fork just take it off and you can either smack it on the ground or put a foot on the sides and bounce a lil to get it straighter say you can ride out but take it easy as it can just go back to taco.
Def would replace the rim and spokes.
Rim is probably toast but a few RVAPs could get you out of the woods
Rim definitely too far gone, but spokes might be fine if not broken.
New rim, a copy of Roger Musson’s wheelbuilding book and plenty of cups of tea.
That’s more potato chip than taco. It might be salvageable if no spokes were pulled through or there are no creases in the rim. You need to inspect it carefully for damage.
A new wheel or rebuild is best, but I have roughly trued “ tacoed” wheels by taking them out of the fork and slapping them against the ground at the point where the rim has moved over. Use your best judgement of course.
You’d be surprised how effective a hard whack on the ground is. I know that it’s not optimal and that the wheel is weakened afterward, but I’ve done that to wheels, finished truing with a spoke wrench, and ridden them for years.
DO NOT TRY TO FIX THIS BY CHANGING SPOKE TENSION, ALONE. That will result in a completely worthless wheel.
In college I had a rear wheel I needed to true every month or so. This takes me back to those days. Eating ramen. 🍜
While climbing diagonally up a grassy slope on a fully loaded touring bike the front wheel slipped and it became a taco. I thought I was done. I was riding with a group I’d met on the road and their mechanic took the wheel off, eyeballed it, and without saying a word smacked the living shit out of it against a telephone pole. I was stunned. He eyeballed it and did it again, and a third time. 😳
Handed it back to me and said put it back on, open up the brake caliper and we’ll take care of it tonight. Trued it up and I still ride on that bike with that wheel.
https://preview.redd.it/m85gg9t9w0ue1.jpeg?width=353&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=61c630e2e7fa5e7d231dc319e01cab0340f9d261
Bend it back enough so you can ride home…carefully. remove the tyre. Throw the wheel in the bin.
Or make sure your dental insurance is up to date.
It takes dedication to pretzel a wheel like that.
As it stands give it a go to get it right yourself you have nothing to lose but if it comes to the point of having to take it into a shop if it can be fixed it won’t be cheap. Depending what wheel it is it may be cheaper to buy a new wheel than have it fixed
Its incredible how many folks on these bike wrench posts suggest fixing damage like this and probably do that sort of thing in their real lives! If it was me I’d just replace a wheel tacoed like this one, it would be hard for this wheel to ever be the same.