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    Can a rookie wheel truer get this right

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    26 Comments

    4. RelevantPaper404 on

      Just get a new one. The amount of time you’d spend will likely outweigh the cost

      Even if you got it 100% true, how structurally sound would it be?? I wouldn’t trust it

    5. nijhttime-eve on

      Good practice but this is really bad. 50-50 chance of it being true and properly tensioned

    7. WoodenPresence1917 on

      Good exercise to try, and I have gotten wheels like that rideable, but I don’t know that I ever trust them

    8. conanlikes on

      I would loosen all the spokes by at least a turn. Then spin the wheel and see where the rim is bent. With a hammer and a couple of blocks of wood I would straighten the rim at the bend. Once the rim is reasonably straight I would tighten back up. Use some lube (I use triflow for this) on the nipples. Once the wheel is straight I would use blue loctite on the spoke threads. Make sure the hub is adjusted before attempting anything.

      This is a very low end looking wheel so I feel a good place to learn.

    9. dax660 on

      with patience, sure.

      I also like the Park Tool spoke tensioning web app (and tool)

    10. squirlybumrush on

      This wheel will never be true again. You can practice on it but it won’t be representative of what you’ll find on a true-able wheel. When you try to true it you’ll find the tension will have to be completely released from one side and way too tight on the other. And if you’re looking at making it round again (always a good idea) you’ll probably end up losing tension on both sides. Even if you get it “straight-ish” it probably won’t stay there. Trueing wheels is a bit of a dance, and this wheel has two left feet.

    11. Ok_Pause419 on

      How did it get that way? There is a difference between a wheel that is out of true, and one that is bent. If it is too bent, the spoke tensions may be too inconsistent for the wheel to stay true, if you manage to get it there in the first place.

    12. Tonumeister on

      My was more worse and I did fix it. Used probably 4 hours at night, almost throwing whole rim out of window couple times but in the end it came good. Take your time and check that you dont leave any loose spokes

    13. micci_cat on

      A good exercise is in practicing wacky spoke tension skills. It’s possible to true it up to a barely acceptable, rideable state (albeit temporarily)…

      This will allow you to ride to the nearest shop & get a replacement.

    14. MarsRich on

      Smack it on the ground. Good hit at where it’s bent the most. Then adjust the tension.

    15. texdroid on

      I could be wrong (sometimes it’s hard to tell from videos) but the rim looks actually bent to me.

      You could maybe get it straighter, but the tension would be all wrong.

    18. edspeds on

      If it were me I’d de tension all of the spokes and start from scratch. Will either need a tensiometer or something like PanoTuner to check the pitch for even tension. Will also need to check dishing. If you really want to learn I’d suggest buying Roger Musson’s book it’s what I used to teach myself…

      https://www.wheelpro.co.uk/wheelbuilding/book.php

    19. Urban-Ruralist on

      This rim looks bent which means you will never true it. I would examine the tension of the spikes relative to the wobble in the rim. If the rims leans toward loose spokes it is bent. You can bend it back relatively straight if you’re careful. I like to lay it horizontal with the axle resting on a solid surface and with your hands on the rim just press down.

    20. SimilarSpend5158 on

      You can wheel truing requires patience, spoke wrench, and a skill something worth considering.

    21. We1come2thesyst3m on

      My dads sunseeker trike had a wheel bent bad like this after an accident, the other one was much worse and needed rebuild at a LBS but the bent one I was able to true up fine. One of the nipples almost pulled through the rim so I had to put a washer on the nipple it worked. The bike is still running after a year so far.

    23. TipPsychological3996 on

      It is worth a try, but I’m not sure even a pro could. That is a lot of bend in a small section of the wheel.

      If you can’t fix it it is time for a new wheel, if you don’t try it is time for a new wheel, and I think a shop will recommend a new wheel, so all you have to lose is a bit of time.

    24. dr_brompton on

      Single wall rims usually have more give so it’s not impossible.

      If the spoke(s) on the left (from video POV), where the dent/wobble is has too much tension, then the wheel is not salvageable. If it’s a broken spoke, stripped thread, broken nipple on that side, a new spoke and nipple in the same size might save the wheel.

    26. Mythion_VR on

      Get the practice in, even if it will never be truthed and living a life of lies.

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