Introduction
A bike wheel rim can usually be repaired if it's only slightly out of true. If there is a more serious 'dent' in the rim, then it will have to be replaced. People often leave the task of trueing a bike wheel to their local bike shop, but once you know the procedure it's easy to do at home. You will need a spoke key and preferably have a wheel truing stand. If you don't have one of these, you can put together a makeshift truing stand by lashing a pencil to your front forks.
This is a long guide, so you can choose to either watch the entire video above, or follow it in smaller chunks by clicking on the individual steps below.
1. Remove A Bike's Front Wheel With Quick Release Skewer
There are two types of fixing for a front wheel. Hexagonal nuts threaded on a solid axle, or a quick release skewer system that runs through the centre of a hollow axle.
2. Check The Truth Of A Rim On A Bike Wheel
The rim of a bicycle wheel needs to be a round circle and a flat disc. This gives a comfortable ride and is most important if the rim is used as a braking surface.
3. General Information On Adjusting Wheel Spokes On A Bike
wheel spokes connect hubs to rims and their tension keeps the wheel in shape. The tension can be adjusted with a spoke key.
4. True A Bike Wheel Rim To Make It Circular
If a rim is not a round circle it will appear to move up and down as it passes through a rim brake or goes by some other index point. You can true a rim by adjusting the spoke tension.
5. True A Bike Wheel Rim To Make It A Flat Disc
If a rim is not a flat disc it will appear to move from side to side as it passes through a rim brake or goes by some other index point. You can true a rim by adjusting the spoke tension.
6. Check The Dishing On A Bike's Wheel Rim
The wheel rim of a bike needs to be centred. The centre line of the rim must be exactly at the centre of the hub, halfway between the lock-nuts at either side of the hub.
7. Mount A Bike's Front Wheel With Quick-Release Skewer
There are two types of fixing for a front wheel. Hexagonal nuts threaded on a solid axle, or a quick release skewer system that runs through the centre of a hollow axle. If the wheel has a hub brake or a hub generator there are some extra steps.
Related Maintenance Tutorials
Check A Bike Wheel Tyre
Check A Bike Wheel's Front Hub
Check A Bike Wheel's Rear Hub
Check The Wear On A Bike Wheel Rim
True A Bike Wheel Rim To Make It Circular
Check The Dishing On A Bike's Wheel Rim
Check A Bike Freewheel
Check A Bike Pedal
Check The Pressure Of A Tyre On A Bike Wheel
Check The Truth Of A Rim On A Bike Wheel
True A Bike Wheel Rim To Make It A Flat Disc
Replace Bike Wheel Rim Tape