OT - fixing buckled bicycle wheel
Submitted: Saturday, Feb 17, 2007 at 18:22
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Trevor M (SA)
Hi all,
sorry that it is a bit "off topic" but it is still to do with wheels etc I guess. I am sure some of you will have the skills to help me.
My lads bike has a badly buckled wheel. From doing a "google" I gather the theory for straightening it is that you tighten the spokes on the opposite side of the point of buckle. The problem I have is that at that point the spokes I should be tightenning are bl@@dy tight already and the ones on the other side are looser (the opposite of what the theory says should be the case).
Can anyone give hints as to how to go about it? I know I could take it to the
shop and have it done (which was what happenned the last few times) but would be interested to have a crack at it myself if someone can give me a heads up on the theory of it all.
Thanks in advance for your help
Trev
Reply By: Trevor M (SA) - Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 21:55
Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 21:55
Thanks to all that replied. The links confirmed the "spoke tightenning" method I already thought was the theoretical way to go. As per my follow up however, this method could only go so far and wouldn't fix the problem. (some of the spokes the theory said to tighten were already "tight as")
The "rubber mallet" technique was surprisingly effective (to a point) and whilst the wheel is not perfect it is improved from the "spokes alone" result. I am however not overly confident that the improvement will be long lasting.
Got the bike mobile in the end and took it for a
test run. I had trued the wheel enough not to rub on the brakes but riding it was a real slog! Thought it might be the hubs overtightenned or something but upon checking found the axel bent! Not sure if this would have the impact of causing the wheel to buckle every time it is ridden which has been what seemed to happen?
Not sure whether the bikes are just cheap rubbish these days or the kids simply abuse them (jumps etc) (or a combination of both)
Anyway, learned a bit more so can't be all bad. Thanks for the responses.
Trev
AnswerID:
222565
Follow Up By: Johnny boy - Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 21:18
Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 21:18
Mate if it worth your while see if you can afford double wall rims if you are going to replace it otherwise you might be going through this all again very soon.
Dont worry your not alone I have to repair 5 punctures before we go riding on saturday!!
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