How to Straighten a Bicycle Wheel

Wheel spokes on bicycles are attached to the rim with spoke nuts or ‘nipples’ that eventually vibrate loose, which allows the rim to warp. Tightening the spokes evenly will take the warp out of your wheels and make your bicycle ride and brake smoother.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spoke wrench
• Chalk or tape

1. 
   Spoke Wrench

   Purchase a spoke wrench from a local bicycle shop or an online vendor. Spoke wrenches come in four or five sizes to fit different nipple sizes, but Japanese wheels are most common and have 0.136 inch diameter nipples. Some spoke wrenches fit three different sizes, if you’re not sure which to buy.

2. Turn your bicycle upside down and balance it on the seat and handlebars. Start with the front wheel and check for loose spokes by pinching pairs of spokes to see if there is a lot of play. Find a tight pair of spokes and ‘ping’ one of them with your fingernail and listen to the tone. Tighten all the loose spokes, ‘pinging’ them to match the approximate tone of the tightest spokes.

3. Turn the front wheel slowly and see if it rubs against either brake pad. Close the front brakes slightly until the wheel rubs one of the pads. Mark the spot on the rim with chalk or tape. Slightly loosen spokes leading to the same side of the hub as the warp and tighten spokes leading to the opposite side of the hub from the warped area. You will only be turning the nipples a little bit, between ¼ to ½ turn. Repeat the process with any additional warps, using progressively tighter brake settings.

4. Repeat the process with the rear wheel, turning it counterclockwise. When you have removed all the warps, you can go back and slightly tighten all the nipples to the same degree, if you have the patience.