
How to Fix a Bicycle Wheel
- Method 1 Adjusting the Cones Download Article. Take the wheel off of the frame. Disconnect the brakes on the wheel you’re removing so it doesn’t get stuck.
- Method 2 Truing Your Bike Wheel Download Article. Locate the bend in the rim. ...
- Method 3 Replacing a Broken Spoke Download Article. Take the wheel off of your bike. ...
How to remove and install a wheel on a bicycle?
Tools Needed:
- Wooden blocks to prop up the bike
- Flat side cutters
- 4 mm Allen wrench
- 18 mm wrench
- 10 mm wrench
- A camera
- A torque wrench with a 4 mm Allen bit
- A few zip ties
- Nitrile gloves (optional)
How much does a rear bicycle wheel cost?
Well, yes, sometimes. If you’re buying a new wheel, expect to spend at least $80. Sometimes much, much more. $4,150 for a Meilenstein Obermayer Schwarz wheel, anybody?
How to fix a bicycle wheel?
Method 3 Method 3 of 3: Replacing a Broken Spoke Download Article
- Take the wheel off of your bike. Disconnect the brakes from the wheel you’re removing. ...
- Remove the tire, tube, and rim tape from the wheel. Let out all the air from the tie by pressing down on the tire valve.
- Pull the broken spoke out from the wheel. ...
- Thread the new spoke through the holes onto the rim. ...
How to replace a rear bicycle wheel?
How to Replace a Rear Bicycle Wheel
- Pedal the bike and shift the gears on the bicycle to the high gear. This moves the chain to the smallest gear cog on the rear wheel.
- Loosen the tension screw on the rear brake shoes to open the brake.
- Grab the derailleur with your right hand and pull it back while rotating the quick-release lever to the open position with your left.

Can you repair a bike rim?
If the impact caused a flat spot on your rim so that your wheel is no longer round, you may have to replace your rim—go to a shop for further evaluation. But if it's just a ding in the side, take 10 minutes to try to pry it back into place.
How do you fix a broken bike wheel?
0:105:13How To Replace A Broken Spoke | Fix Your Road Bike With GCN - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipVery simply you can measure one of the other spokes of the wheel to get the right length. You goMoreVery simply you can measure one of the other spokes of the wheel to get the right length. You go from the inside of the elbow. Right to the tip of the spoke.
How much does it cost to repair a bike wheel?
If the wheel is fixable–it generally looks good but has a wobble–you can expect your local bike shop to charge $20 – $30 to true it using professional equipment like a truing stand for the perfect line and roundness.
Can you fix bent bike rim?
0:191:41How to Fix a Bent Wheel Rim | Bike Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFind a suitable lever to bend the rim in the opposite direction this could be by wedging the wheelMoreFind a suitable lever to bend the rim in the opposite direction this could be by wedging the wheel between two trees. Or use a rock and your bodyweight to bend the wheel back in the opposite.
How do I fix the front wheel on my bike?
1:323:25How To: Remove and Install Bike Wheels - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's easiest to reinstall the wheel while the bike is on the ground make sure your quick-releaseMoreIt's easiest to reinstall the wheel while the bike is on the ground make sure your quick-release lever is in the open position and install the wheel into the dropouts.
Can you fix broken spokes?
A faulty or damaged spoke should simply be replaced. In a properly built wheel, stainless steel spokes don't fail through fatigue, so a fatigue failure can be the first of many. Two or more fatigue failures means the best option is to rebuild the whole wheel with new spokes.
How do you true a wheel at home?
0:348:12How To True A Bike Wheel Without A Truing Stand - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then spin the wheel. And then just kind of touch it to the rim. So you can kind of hear thatMoreAnd then spin the wheel. And then just kind of touch it to the rim. So you can kind of hear that it's in contact with the rim most of the way around. But then there's one little spot.
Why are bike wheels so expensive?
2:337:18Budget vs Premium Wheels | What's the Real Difference? | Cycling WeeklyYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe center that is to reduce this wheels drag through the air and that is something that moreMoreThe center that is to reduce this wheels drag through the air and that is something that more expensive wheels will have a much greater focus on it's making them faster. And more efficient.
How do you tighten spokes?
0:102:04How to Tighten Your Bicycle Spokes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAs you make your way past the reflector. Simply push it in toward the center of the spokes.MoreAs you make your way past the reflector. Simply push it in toward the center of the spokes.
How do you fix a bent rim at home?
1:064:49DIY Straightening a bent alloy rim in your driveway - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo try to protect the rim a little bit as we're straightening it we'll see how that goes if thatMoreTo try to protect the rim a little bit as we're straightening it we'll see how that goes if that doesn't work I'm going to throw this away and just smack right on the rim.
How do you fix a dented bike rim?
0:202:47How To Repair A Dented Bike Rim - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first method involves. Using a vise with smooth jaws you don't want to ones with the the reallyMoreThe first method involves. Using a vise with smooth jaws you don't want to ones with the the really textured jaws because they'll going to Mar up your rims pretty well so you want vice.
What happens if rim is bent?
One of the most obvious signs of a bent rim is shakiness and vibration that gets transmitted up the steering column. When a rim is bent and damaged, it will cause your tire to make uneven contact with the surface of the road. In turn, this leads to “shakiness” and vibration when you're driving.
How do you true a bike wheel with zip ties?
0:001:58Truing a Wheel using a Zip Tie - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe process is relatively. Simple move the zip tie closer to the wheel until it just touches oneMoreThe process is relatively. Simple move the zip tie closer to the wheel until it just touches one point on the rim.
How do you fix a buckled back wheel?
4:117:22How to fix a buckled wheel - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo to actually adjust this will actually go around and tighten every spoke on the right hand side anMoreSo to actually adjust this will actually go around and tighten every spoke on the right hand side an equal amount you start from the valve whenever your wheel truing.
How to true a bike wheel?
You can true a wheel by tightening or loosening the spokes. First, remove your wheel from the bike and tire from the wheel, and mount the wheel in a truing stand. If a truing stand is not available, the bike can be flipped upside down and the brake pads can be used as a rudimentary truing stand .
How to replace a spoke on a broken wheel?
Begin by removing the wheel and tire. Move the rim tape to one side. From there, unscrew one side of your broken spoke from the rim. Remove the other end of the spoke by sliding it through the hub eyelet.
How to install a tire bead?
Install one bead at a time and start by working one tire bead onto the rim with your hands. Work the tube over the rim sidewall and inside of the rim. Install a second bead onto the rim with your hands or a tire lever. Check both sides of the tire to make sure the bead is properly set inside of the rim. Slowly inflate the tube to its recommended PSI.
How to inflate a bike tire?
Starting at a point next to the valve, push the tire bead inside the rim, and proceed along the entire wheel. The tire bead is the edge of a tire that sits on the wheel. Once the wheel and tube are on the wheel, inflate your tire slowly. As you inflate, make sure that the tire bead remains in place and that the valve stays straight. It is helpful to first inflate to 10-15 PSI, then go around the tire rocking it slightly back and forth. This will help the bead seat in its proper location. Finally, reinstall the bike wheel.
How to inflate a tire that is round?
Once you are sure the tire is safe, take your new tube and inflate it until it is round in shape and confirm it holds air. Line up the valve of the tire and valve stem of your tube, then place the tube inside of the tire.
How to adjust derailleur on a bike?
To adjust your derailleur, first, mount your bike in a bike mount, or turn it upside down .
How to adjust a slipped chain on a bike?
Pick up the slipped chain and position it to the top of the correct gear while pedaling. Once the chain teeth are locked in place, slowly release the derailleur and push the pedal forward to move the back wheel. Continue pedaling until the rest of the chains are fit back into their original positions . Before you get back on your bike, shift to the lowest gear and continue pedaling. This movement should realign your chain and lock it back into place. Changing gears without pedaling can cause the chain to bind up, and should be avoided.
How to straighten a wheel?
On your rim, your spokes alternate between those that attach to the left side of your axle and those that attach to the right side. We call those left and right spokes. You will straighten your wheel by loosening and tightening spokes, as long as you remember these 3 rules: 1 Remember clockwise or counter-clockwise (anti-clockwise in the UK and Australia). To pull to one side, tighten that side’s spoke–clockwise turn, as seen from the rim/tire side. Half or quarter turns are all you need. 2 Loosen as you tighten. Every time you tighten a spoke, loosen a nearby opposing spoke by the same amount. This keeps the rim from getting overtightened and “out of round.” 3 Cinch the brake tighter every time you get the rim to stop rubbing on one side.
How to pull a wheel to one side?
To pull to one side, tighten that side’s spoke–clockwise turn, as seen from the rim/tire side. Half or quarter turns are all you need. Loosen as you tighten. Every time you tighten a spoke, loosen a nearby opposing spoke by the same amount. This keeps the rim from getting overtightened and “out of round.”.
What is leg strap on bike?
Your leg strap will be used on the appropriate brake grip for the problem wheel on an inverted bike, pulling your brake pads in just enough to rub at the worst point on the wheel. You now know where the problem is, and which side of a pull (left or right) needs to be fixed.
Can a spoke wrench fix a warped wheel?
These (and some knowledge) can fix a warped wheel anywhere. Spoke wrenches don’t have to look like ours above. They come in many shapes and sizes, are universally inexpensive…. …and can even be discreetly part of something else, like this D-ring. Yet even the best tool is no good unless you know how to use it.
How to fix a broken bicycle wheel?
Step 1. Turn the bicycle over and rest it upside down on its saddle and handlebars to give easy access to the damaged wheel. Gently spin the wheel, watching carefully to identify the damaged area of the wheel. You will notice this by watching the brake blocks; the damaged section will rub against one of the blocks and prevent the natural spin ...
What to do if your wheel rubs on the brake pad?
If the wheel still rubs on the original brake pad, continue with another series of quarter turns until the wheel is balanced. If the wheel now rubs on the left brake block you have over-tightened the spokes. Reverse the process slightly until the wheel moves freely.
How to tighten spokes on a wheel?
Tighten the spokes on one side of the wheel and loosen those on the other using your spoke wrench or pliers. With a wheel bent to the right you will need to tighten the spokes on the left, pulling the wheel back to the left, and loosen those on the right to allow the wheel to keep its shape. Turn the spokes a quarter turn each, clockwise on the side that needs tightening and counterclockwise on the opposite side.
All About Spokes
So, what are spokes? Generally, spokes are the rods that are connecting the bicycle hub and the rim. Their structure consists of a right-angle bend and a flattened head at one end, which is where it has the whole that fits through the bicycle hub flange leading to the short threaded section of the rim.
Why Your Bike Wheel is Buckled
Various outside factors such as hitting on some object and riding in rough terrain can impact your bike wheel and lead to them bending. If your wheel is buckled, you need to make sure that you have a maintenance procedure in place to avoid having this and other problems happen to your bike again.
Inspect the buckle
Now it’s time to work on your bike. Firstly you should try to remove the wheel and put it on a wheel jig which will not only make it easy to move. But also easier to repair. If you don’t have access to a wheel jig then you can either put your bike on a work stand or turn it upside down.
Tighten Spokes
As mentioned before spokes attach to the rim from each of the sides of the hub. Once you tighten a spoke, you pull the rim over to that side. If you keep tighething the spoke you will continue to pull the rim towards the hub. On the other hand, loosening the spokees moves the rim way from that specific side.
How to Straighten a Wheel
This tedious and somewhat difficult task requires a lot of effort and energy, so here is some more useful information on how to further straighten your wheel.
Final Thoughts
All in all, hopefully by now you have learned a bit more about how to fix your buckled wheels and make them as good as new. As you have read, all the steps and processes involved can seem tedious, require a lot of effort, practice and patience.
