Proper bicycle maintenance is important for the comfort and safety of your bike, whether you use it every day, or you only ride it a few times a year when the weather is nice. When people hear the word "bike maintenance," they usually think of brakes, gearshifts, and chains; Wheels and tires only get attention when the tires are flat. Keeping the wheel straight, i.e. completely straight and round, requires the same tension as the entire spoke and this is important for the safety and performance of the bike. Wheels that are not aligned will sway or rub against the brakes unevenly, potentially causing an accident. The following steps will guide you step by step how to straighten the wheel.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Preparation for Straightening the Wheel
Step 1. Check your wheels for bent spokes
Step 2. Check the tightness of your fingers using a finger lock
At the end of each spoke there is a nipple that you can use to tighten or loosen the spokes, this is how to adjust how tightly each spoke to the rim. On perfectly straight wheels and rims, all spokes will be equally tight.
You may need to mark which fingers are tight or which are loose. Some people use tape with various colors for this purpose
Step 3. Turn your bike over so it rests on the seat and handlebars
Bike shops use tools that make the bike stand up, or bike stands, but turning the bike around makes it easier for the wheels to spin freely, so you can see the wobble in the wheels.
Method 2 of 4: Checking Wheel Roundness
Step 1. Remove the outer tire and inner tube for best results
The shape of the rim will be easier to determine without the two things on the bike. Put the rim back on the bike for testing.
Step 2. Place a tape measure, pencil or any straight object on the bicycle fork so that it is almost in contact with the rim
This will help you to see a slight wave as the rim approaches or moves away from the tool.
Step 3. Spin the wheel
Where the tool is in contact with or nearly in contact with the wheel, the tool will appear out of alignment with the rim and you will need to adjust that part.
Step 4. Fasten the spokes on the bent part of the rim
Make sure to tighten the spokes evenly and each tightening no more than half a turn and also make sure that you tighten the spokes on the other side or you will misalign the wheels.
Step 5. Turn the wheel after each setting
Continue the adjustment until the rim appears to be continuously the same distance as the straight tool.
Method 3 of 4: Straightening the Inclined Wheel
Step 1. Turn the wheel and see if the wheel turns perfectly straight
If the wheel is perfectly straight, every point on the rim you turn will appear to be the same distance from the brake pads.
Step 2. Gradually apply the brakes and look where the brakes hit first
Step 3. Tighten the spokes on the reverse side where the brake pads hit the rim to return the rim to the center
Same as straightening to see the degree of roundness of the wheel, do it slowly and gradually tighten the spokes.
Step 4. Adjust and tighten the spokes by turning them until no more points come into contact with the brakes
Method 4 of 4: Recheck the Fingers for the Last Time
Step 1. Check the radius you marked at the start of the alignment process
Oftentimes, the adjustments you make have corrected the level of tightness or slack you encountered earlier. If not, repeat the process.
