Wheel Trueing.

dirk_van_gently
dirk_van_gently Posts: 826
edited October 2007 in Commuting chat
I can pretty much tackle any job on a bike with time and the tools.
However I have always shied away from trying to true wheels up, as I have always considered it to be a Black Art.
Now I'm thinking I want to have a crack at it, can anyone offer any advise? books, videos, what sort of rig to use etc.
Many thanks as always.
If you see the candle as flame, the meal is already cooked.
Photography, Google Earth, Route 30

Comments

  • el_presidente
    el_presidente Posts: 1,963
    Dirk Van Gently wrote:
    I can pretty much tackle any job on a bike with time and the tools.
    However I have always shied away from trying to true wheels up, as I have always considered it to be a Black Art.
    Now I'm thinking I want to have a crack at it, can anyone offer any advise? books, videos, what sort of rig to use etc.
    Many thanks as always.


    You want the truth? YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!

    you-cant-handle-the-truth.jpg
    <a>road</a>
  • Gussio
    Gussio Posts: 2,452
    First of all, find a good old fashioned grid with space for a wheel....
  • dirk_van_gently
    dirk_van_gently Posts: 826
    Many thanks for the top quality advice.
    If you see the candle as flame, the meal is already cooked.
    Photography, Google Earth, Route 30
  • el_presidente
    el_presidente Posts: 1,963
    Dirk Van Gently wrote:
    Many thanks for the top quality advice.

    Pleasure to be of service

    try Road Gear & KnowHow for people who may have a clue what they're talking about :)
    <a>road</a>
  • Gambatte
    Gambatte Posts: 1,453
    think theres a section on sheldon browns site
  • buddha
    buddha Posts: 1,088
    As gambatte said the articles on Sheldon Brown's site are a good place to start.
    Some adivce I can pass on, from one newbie wheelbuilder/truer to another.
    1) Get a good spoke wrench(s), like the Park Tools one.
    2) Don't over-tighten (and round-off) the nipples, like I did.
    <center><font size="1"><font color="navy">Lardy</font id="navy"><font color="blue"> | </font id="blue"><font color="navy">Madame de Pompadour</font id="navy"></font id="size1"></center>
  • dazzawazza
    dazzawazza Posts: 462
    Patience and planning are very important when trueing wheels!
    I did a very nice job with my best bike because I put a lot of time and effort in.
    However I recently attempted trueing my hack bike and completely f*!ked it up, because I tried to do a quick job. Anyone know where I can buy some cheapo 26" freehub+cassette 7sp wheels??
  • jacktheoc
    jacktheoc Posts: 1,556
    Gambatte wrote:
    think theres a section on sheldon browns site

    their will be just have a look hes got everything on their :roll:
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    I was a novice at one point, till one day riding home when 2 spokes broke on my rear wheel. Sought advice with regards to spoke length and over the course of the weekend rebuilt the wheels. Managed to dish and true them pretty accurately, I'd say they were about 0.5mm out but as this was my first attempt at wheel building I was pleased as punch. Got a red park spoke key, simplicity.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • fossyant
    fossyant Posts: 2,549
    It's a black art and takes a bit to learn, but remember.......

    Tighten one side a little bit, loosen another side the same bit - helps if you do 2 x pairs plus to sort out a slight indifference - just do a quarter of a turn to start with...

    I'm no expert, but can true a wheel up with no 'egging' - I.e. don't just do one side as that will egg a wheel.... 2 x left 2 x right - clockwise tightens (if at the top of wheel)
  • snooks
    snooks Posts: 1,521
    Are you talking about building wheels or just correcting buckles?

    Lil buckles aren't a problem (little adjustments often to pull/loosen the buckle back)...but having seen some of the BIG buckled wheels people are riding on it's a wonder they are still alive, I wouldn't attempt a big buckle (LBS charges £15 for wheel trueing and I know they will do it right)
    .
    FCN:5, 8 & 9
    If I'm not riding I'm shooting http://grahamsnook.com
    THE Game
    Watch out for HGVs
  • dirk_van_gently
    dirk_van_gently Posts: 826
    thanks for all the sensible responses, going to have some time on my hands in the near future, so may be a good project to tackle then.
    I also found this
    http://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/buildwheel.html
    and this
    http://www.wheelpro.co.uk/wheelbuilding/book.php

    all good resources, probably just going to take an old wheel to bits, and see if I can put it back together first.
    If you see the candle as flame, the meal is already cooked.
    Photography, Google Earth, Route 30
  • Gambatte
    Gambatte Posts: 1,453
    Dirk Van Gently wrote:
    all good resources, probably just going to take an old wheel to bits, and see if I can put it back together first.

    Before you ride it, first check - are there any bits left over?


    (so much for all the rensible responses!) :D

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