How To True A Bicycle Wheel
Essential Skill: Truing Bicycle Wheels at Home
Truing a bicycle wheel is an essential skill that every bike rider should know. A true wheel creates a smooth and stable ride, while an out-of-true wheel can cause wobbling and make cycling challenging. The process of truing a wheel may seem daunting at first, but with a few basic tools and some patience, it can easily be done at home.
Truing a Bicycle Wheel Made Easy
To begin truing a bicycle wheel, you will need a spoke wrench, which comes in different sizes to fit the various spoke nipples on your wheel. Start by flipping your bike upside down or using a bike stand to elevate the bike off the ground. Spin the wheel slowly and observe any areas where the wheel appears to wobble side-to-side or up-and-down.
Adjust opposite spokes to fix wobble
Once you have identified the areas that need adjustment, locate the corresponding spokes on the opposite side of the wheel. Using your spoke wrench, adjust these spokes by tightening or loosening them in small increments. It’s important to make small adjustments at a time to avoid altering the wheel’s integrity too much. Continue spinning the wheel as you make these adjustments until the wobble is reduced.
Fix unevenness with spoke adjustments
After making these initial adjustments, you will then need to address any remaining unevenness. To do this, look for spokes that connect to the affected area and tighten or loosen them as needed. Often, tightening a spoke on one side and loosening the one next to it will help guide the wheel back to its true form. Repeat this process until the wheel spins smoothly with minimal wobbling.
About me
I got my first bicycle when I was 3 years old. 10x years later I still love to cycle! In the meantime, I also developed an absolute obsession with motorbikes! I write about my hobbies and lifestyle on this blog.
