Tags: How to True a Wheel
How to True a Wheel
Want to know how to true a wheel? This has been one of the frequent requests that I've seen when it comes to maintaining a bicycle. If you've ever played one of those video games where you are driving a race car and you can't seem to keep it straight, you'll notice that the speed goes down as the car goes from side to side. If you can keep the car straight, you will notice that the speed of the car increases. Guess what? Same thing with a bicycle.
Hopefully this article will educate you on how to true a wheel. Over the years I've seen more than a few incidents (some of them my own) involving loose or broken spokes on bikes. Some of today's bicycles which have aluminum alloy rims don't see the same problem which we saw years ago with most bikes. Still, cheap bicycles still seem to run into unbalanced wheels and those of us riders who put in many many miles each riding season, want a true and balanced ride. So, sit back because you are going to learn how to true a wheel.
How To True A Wheel Video
Park Tool TS-2.2 Pro Wheel Truing Stand
Spoke misalignment is one of the main causes for concern since spokes that are too loose or too tight makes the wheel wobble side to side. Worse yet, it can get bad enough that the wheels wobble and run into the brake pads. Lets go through a few steps which will tell you how to true a wheel. Here we go:
First, you should understand that it's easy to true a bicycle wheel if you are patient and have the right tools.
Steps - How To True A Wheel
1. Some tools that you may need are truing stand, a spoke wrench, and some oil.
2. Now you need to remove the tire to true the wheel.
3. Put the wheel in the truing stand.
4. Follow the direction of the truing stand to make sure the arms are in the proper place before you attempt to true the wheel.
5. You might want to put a drop of oil on the spokes as they seat into the rims to make them move easier.
6. Grab a couple of spokes at a time, squeeze, and make sure that they are not too loose. If you notice any spokes that are loose, tighten those spokes by turning 1/2 immediately. You tighten a spoke by turning counter clockwise and loosen by turning clockwise.
7. Start truing the wheel by tightening two spokes that pull the rim in opposite directions. You can tighten the spoke by turning the spoke wrench in a counter-clockwise direction.
8. Twirl the wheel on the truing stand to see where the rim rubs.
9. Wherever the rim rubs, take a few of those spokes and either tighten or loosen with the spoke wrench (usually 3-5 spokes around the area) where appropriate.
10. Twirl the wheel again to see if it is rubbing in any other places.
11. Follow steps 7-10 until the rim is perfectly balanced.
Congratulate yourself because you've just learned how to true a wheel.
Initially, take your time in following this process so that you get it right. Then you can speed up once you get used to the steps. Don't do like I did and leave the tire on the rim. Nothing like puncturing a tire because you were too lazy to remove the tire from the rim. I keep my wheels true throughout the outdoor riding season as well as when I'm putting in a bunch of miles on my indoor bike trainer. Hope the video and above steps will be a little help and give you some guidance on how to true a wheel.
