How to True a Bike Wheel without a Truing Stand
Truing is the process of making the bicycle wheel round, like it's supposed to be. The spokes are what keep the rim of the wheel a wheel instead of some twisted metal. Often, these spokes can become loose causing certain sections of the rim to bend slightly out of the round shape it's supposed to be in. Typically, bike mechanics will put the wheel into a truing stand to fix this error. While a truing stand works very well and is sometimes necessary, many times you can true the wheel without ever removing it from the bike.
I'll note that this technique only works for lateral (or side to side) truing. If your wheel needs radial (up & down, also called 'hopping') truing, I recommend using a truing stand or bringing the wheel to the mechanics at your local bike shop.
That aside, this technique actually works very well and is easy to do anywhere as long as you have a spoke wrench (I've placed some links to some below) and some light to see what you're doing.
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Instructions
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1
~Flip Your Bike Upside Down~
Make sure you don't set your saddle and handlebars on a surface that can damage them.
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2
~Gently Spin the Wheel~
Just a slight spin will do. Where the rim rubs against the brake is the section of the wheel that you will need to true. There may be multiple locations of the wheel that need truing. If your rim constantly rubs one brake, it's more likely that your brakes are in need of adjustment.
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3
~Locate the Center of the Deviation~
Find the approximate center of the deviation in the rim and hold it there.
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4
~Tighten Necessary Spokes~
If your rim is bending to the right, you need to tighten the spokes on the left side of the wheel with your spoke wrench. To remember which way is tightening imagine holding a screwdriver on the opposite side of the rim as the spoke wrench; turn the spoke wrench in the same direction as you would to tighten with a screwdriver.
A good quarter or half turn is good to start with. Take care not to do too much at once as you may cause more problems than you're fixing.
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5
~Repeat Steps 2-4 as Necessary~
When you're finished flip your bike back on its wheels again, give the brakes a couple quick squeezes, and spin your wheels. If you did it correctly your wheel should be spinning fairly straight.
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Tips & Warnings
Most wheels in need of truing do not need their spokes loosened. Spokes can come loose on their own, but I've never seen them tighten on their own. This is why I said above to only tighten the spokes.
Good wheel truing takes time and practice. Don't get discouraged if you can't get it perfect.
Always use the smallest spoke wrench that fits your spoke nipples. Using too large of a spoke wrench can cause permanent damage to the spoke nipples.
