Front wheel needs truing

[montanawills]

After today's ride I noticed my front wheel needs truing.

Should I buy a spoke wrench and attempt it myself after watching a few YouTube videos or should I bring it to the experts?

I'm guessing it's something useful I should know how to do but don't wanna eff it up.

 

[Moodyman]

If you've never done it before, I'd recommend paying the shop to do it with you watching so you learn how to. Also buy the tool from them for next time.

It's easy once you know, but that knowledge comes with practice. Despite watching numerous videos, I took a rideable wheel to being completely un-rideable.

Did manage to sort it in the end, but it took about 5 frustrating hours over 2 days.

 

[chillyuk]

If it's your only wheel then I agree with Moodyman. for what they charge it's worth it to get it done (hopefully) properly.

Practice and learn on a wheel you can afford to wreck if things go wrong before risking your good wheel.

 

[Christopher]

DIY! It's a useful skill and any fool can learn how to do it - I did!

Actually I take a spoke key while touring, usually ou can get a wheel ride-able if a spoke breaks and you have no spare..

 

[zacklaws]

DIY! It's a useful skill and any fool can learn how to do it - I did!

I did too, and it is very simple and its something you need to know how to do out on the road in an emergency. The only hard bit though is not to make your wheel oval by over tightening, but a quick fix yourself to get your self home is good enough.

I've just had problems with spokes constantly coming loose and the wheel coming out of true on rides, I could true the wheel out on the road but in the end I had to take the wheel to the LBS to get a proper job done, all spokes retensioned and thread lock applied

 

[BigTone0777]

Give it a go if you feel confident enough but just make tiny adjustments and make sure you don't overtighten the spokes. Remember to take a little bit of tension off the spokes either side of the ones your adding tension to and as long as you only make little adjustments and check to see what's happening you should be ok. If it looks like your making things worse then stop. It is a fantastic skill to learn and will save you some of your hard earned in the future!

 

[HLaB]

I'd give it a go too if its not too bad.

 

[Globalti]

Agreed, every cyclist ought to learn this skill. Only turn the nipples a quarter turn at a time and make sure you undo the opposing two spokes by the same amount, which will have double the effect of a quarter turn. Make sure that when you turn the nipple it doesn't just twist the spoke to no effect; it might help to drip a light oil onto the bottoms of the nipples before starting. Possibly you will need to turn the nipple quite a long way to break the bond; you should then return it to almost its previous position.

 

[montanawills]

Done!! Thanks everyone. I tried it myself and It turned out grand. Quite pleased with myself now 'cause I hate having to leave the bike in the shop for any length of time and I love not spending money!! Great stuff...good advice folks.

 

[BigTone0777]

Pleased you found the confidence to have a go and you got it sorted!

 

[PpPete]

The next step is building your own wheels !

 

[rockyraccoon]

Done!! Thanks everyone. I tried it myself and It turned out grand. Quite pleased with myself now 'cause I hate having to leave the bike in the shop for any length of time and I love not spending money!! Great stuff...good advice folks.

any tips!?

 

[PpPete]

remember the spoke is a long bolt, and the nipple is a nut..... makes it easier know which way to turn it.