Check And True A Bike Wheel - MadeGood

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.

Steps to Check And True A Bike Wheel:

| MadeGood.bikes

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.

Remove A Bike's Front Wheel With Quick Release Skewer | MadeGood.bikes

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.

Check The Truth Of A Rim On A Bike Wheel | MadeGood.bikes

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.

General Information On Adjusting Wheel Spokes On A Bike | MadeGood.bikes

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.

True A Bike Wheel Rim To Make It Circular | MadeGood.bikes

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.

True A Bike Wheel Rim To Make It A Flat Disc | MadeGood.bikes

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.

Check The Dishing On A Bike's Wheel Rim | MadeGood.bikes

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.