Rear wheel does not spin true...

[G-Man]

First off. Does it look like the rim or spokes are damaged? i.e. are there any kinks / marks on either. If the rim is damaged then you need to look for another.

If the wheel was just built badly, it should be possible to true it. I have built many wheels. You just need some kind of fixture - a set of forks will do - and a marker to gauge the runout.

Once you are set up, it is just a matter of loosening the spokes on one side of the hub and tightening the ones on the other. The adjustment is spread across the whole area that needs adjusting and you have to keep an eye on eccentricity (vertical runout) as you are adjusting the lateral.

G

[rzgkane]

Hmm, you are tempting me to give this a go. I don't "see" any obvious damage.

Any chance this can be done on the bike with the tire mounted? Or does that run the risk that the nipple protrudes into the tube are?

I sure would looooove to not have to take this wheel off.

First off. Does it look like the rim or spokes are damaged? i.e. are there any kinks / marks on either. If the rim is damaged then you need to look for another.

If the wheel was just built badly, it should be possible to true it. I have built many wheels. You just need some kind of fixture - a set of forks will do - and a marker to gauge the runout.

Once you are set up, it is just a matter of loosening the spokes on one side of the hub and tightening the ones on the other. The adjustment is spread across the whole area that needs adjusting and you have to keep an eye on eccentricity (vertical runout) as you are adjusting the lateral.

G

[G-Man]

Very risky to try it with the tire on. Just take your time and do it with a bare rim. You can see what you're doing then.

You'll be rewarded with a true rim and a great sense of satisfaction. If you do it with the tire on your reward might be a wrecked bike or a trip to the local hospital..... :-(

G

[rzgkane]

I have decided to bite the bullet and pay a professional. They want $100 including mounting and dismounting the tire and I thought that sounded like a deal if it works. If not, I'll need a new rim. I've only got about 1/8" of lateral runout so I'm cautiously optimistic. That's about the time things usually get sideways and cost me big bucks!

I didn't check the radial runout. Probably should have.

By the way, what is the maximum desired lateral runout you want?

Thanks for the info.

Very risky to try it with the tire on. Just take your time and do it with a bare rim. You can see what you're doing then.

You'll be rewarded with a true rim and a great sense of satisfaction. If you do it with the tire on your reward might be a wrecked bike or a trip to the local hospital..... :-(

G

[jleewebb]

Here's a photo of my thrown-together truing setup...(pic from yesterday, a new, non-305 project). Outside of axle is supported by a wire from a rafter...study up, it's not that hard once you get the hang of it, just tedious, time consuming, attention demanding. Good luck. --Lee