I need an information source to learn how to repair warped bicycle wheels, can anybody provide same?

Question

I want to straighten out the wheels by turning the spokes. My 15 year old Norco 12 speed is starting to break spokes. I want to replace them. Would it be better to get a new wheel rather than keep fixing the spokes?

Answer 1

Depends. If you're really strapped for money, it'd be better to continue fixing the spokes.



However, it is easier and possibly much safer to just buy a new wheel. You don't want your wheel to give out on you during your ride - that could cause serious injury and whatnot, and you'd be late to wherever you're going.



If I were you, I'd replace the wheel if the thing is actually breaking. If the wheel is just warped, I would just fix the wheel. You'll need to go out and buy a spoke wrench from your local bike store. It's pretty straight forward how to use it - turn the spoke one way to loosen, the other to tighten. The spokes either connect to the left or right side of the hub. If you're trying to straighten the wheel out (and you need to pull the wheel to the "right" (depends on perspective)), then you just need to pull on the spoke that connects to the appropriate side of the hub, such as the right side.



No idea what I'm talking about? Ask the guys at the bike store as how to use the wrench. They'll show you and give you some advice (if they're friendly).

Answer 2

Hmm....if it's 15 years old, you might just get a new wheel anyway....chances are the hub races are pretty worn, too. There's nothing wrong with rebuilding good parts, though. You might find that you can order a single wheel from a shop for about the same as what it'll cost you to get the materials you need (if the hub is bad). Also, if it's a rim-brake wheel, check the sidewalls carefully. If they've worn badly, you can blow out a wheel at some point (seen it happen, and it isn't pretty!).



The Park Tools websites covers truing a little bit, but it's not great. I'd recommend you get the book The Bicycle Wheel from Jobst Brandt if you really want to learn.....it's not a fun read, but it has the best instructions, I think. There's another wheel-building book that's spiral-bound, can't remember the name of it.....it's a good one, too. The Bicycling Magazine books for road and mtn bike maintenance/repair have an ok section on truing, and it's easier to follow for a beginner (so does the Zinn book for repairs). You can probably get 2 or 3 of those at Barnes and Noble, possibly even the library for the repair books.



Spoke breakage can happen from age and wear (and rust), but usually it's from a wheel that either isn't built properly or isn't made for the use it's getting. Sounds like maybe yours are just old and used, or maybe it has cheap spokes. Kinda important to try to figure out what's going on before you waste too much time or money in it.

Answer 3

Wheel truing and wheel building is best left to the experts. A couple years ago I had a set of wheels that was constantly breaking spokes. Even the bike shop guy was baffled. He would start writing up a repair ticket as soon as he saw me coming into the parking lot. Eventually, I just got a new set of wheels and haven't broken a spoke since (probably about 15000 miles)

Answer 4

Even if the wheels are old they should be OK; standard spokes are cheap and a wrench is a couple bucks. Replace one at a time and it will be a breeze.



Try this site: sheldonbrown.com.

Answer 5

Bicycle wheels never warp severely by themselves. If it is a prank, there goes more than $2000 down the drain for property damage.

Answer 6

Find an old bike shop in your area and look for "new old stock". I bought such a pair of old rims. $50 for the pair and they trued them before I left. If you can find a similar deal -- take it. Far less time and headache of constant spoke replacement.