Bent (out-of-true) wheel
The wheel wobbles sideways and rubs the brake pads or frame.
Tools you need
- Spoke wrench (matching size)
- Zip tie to mark rubbing point (optional)
How to fix it, step by step
- Flip the bike upside down. Spin the wheel and watch where it rubs.
- Marking with chalk or fixing a zip tie to the frame pinpoints the exact wobble.
- Identify whether the wobble goes to the right or to the left.
- Tighten the spokes on the side opposite the wobble by ¼ turn. If it goes right, tighten the left-side spokes.
- Spin again. Repeat the ¼ turn until the wobble is under 2 mm.
- Don't try to make it perfect. Just enough so it doesn't rub. The next bike shop will true it properly.
This entry works offline: download the app to your phone and check it anywhere on the route, even where there is no coverage. Bicigrino rental customers also get 24/7 technical support by phone and WhatsApp.
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