Wheel out of true

C-S-B

How far out of true is it acceptable for a racing bike wheel to be?
I inadvertently cycled down what was probably Irelands worst road and destroyed not only my tires, but the front wheel is also wobbling about 2-3mm off true (on the back maybe 0.5-1mm wobble..). Do I need to get this fixed asap or is it just me worrying myself unnecesarily?

redddraggon

2-3mm is a hell of a lot especially for a front wheel. 0.5-1mm doesn't sound too bad for a rear wheel though.

Definitely get the front trued, and possibly the rear.

Meds1962

I'd get them both done because presumably you've had to slacken off the brake calipers to allow the wheels to turn within them, which means the brake levers have to travel further before they start to operate the calipers.

Also you're not going anywhere on that bike with one wheel at the LBS anyway!!

dennisn

C-S-B wrote:

How far out of true is it acceptable for a racing bike wheel to be?
I inadvertently cycled down what was probably Irelands worst road and destroyed not only my tires, but the front wheel is also wobbling about 2-3mm off true (on the back maybe 0.5-1mm wobble..). Do I need to get this fixed asap or is it just me worrying myself unnecesarily?

This isn't a question for other people to answer. You need to make this call yourself. If
you don't care or it doesn't bother you that your wheels are out of whack then keep riding. They will come apart sooner or later and then you'll have to get them fixed. My
advice to you is take whatever pains you have to to keep your bike in tip top working order. Learn to work on it yourself or find a good shop but keep on top of it all. Or you
can just ride it and neglect it until it dies. Up to you.

Dennis Noward