How To True A Bicycle Wheel

Introduction

When spokes are loose, they can make riding a bicycle unsafe and an unpleasant experience. Spokes just like any part of a bike, need routine maintenance and checks to ensure the safety of the bike. The purpose of publishing this guide is to show users how to do necessary maintenance in regards to spokes.

You need not be an expert in order to do this guide. Following this guide will also improve and preserve the quality of bike rides. A tightened spoke tire will have rotate and not deviate to the left or to the right when the wheel completes a rotation. When spokes are loose, the path at which the tires rotate, deviate drastically whether to the left,right, or both. This is especially dangerous at higher speeds, and going downhill as you will have less control of the bike. Hence why this guide is needed for preserving safety and the quality of bike rides on consistent basis.

What you need

Video Overview

Step 1 How To True A Bicycle Wheel

How To True A Bicycle Wheel, How To True A Bicycle Wheel: step 1, image 1 of 1

Put the rim and align into the truing stand.

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Step 2

Second, grab lubricant.

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Step 3

Notice how each nipple is void of lube. In this step add the lube to each individual nipple.

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Step 4

Once you have completed the previous task, loosen the truing knob.
This will make the truing arms open.
Give it a spin! The centrifical force lubes up the threads, making it easier to begin truing.
Notice the spoke wrenches; they will be required in our next step.

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Step 5

Use the truing knob to determine how fine the truing arms (red) need to be. In this case, I am truing finely down to the millimeter.

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Step 6

Here the spoke tool (red) will be needed. After giving it a spin, I noticed that it deviated far too much to the left. You will know this by hearing which side scrapes against the truing arm. (orange)
Use the spoke wrench (red) to tighten the spokes (yellow). It is good practice to tighten the spoke before and after on the side that needs truing.
Lastly, keep truing tire until the range of deviation is good to you. This process for a "quick-fix" can be as little as 30min-1 hour.
Experienced cyclists may vary from days to weeks to completely true their tire.