Whether you commute on your bike daily or just take it out a few times a year, proper bicycle maintenance is important for safe enjoyment of the bike.The wheels and tires only get attention when a tire goes flat, so when people hear about bike maintenance they most likely think of brakes, gears, and the chain.Keeping the wheels true, which means perfectly straight and round, requires equal tension from all the spokes, and it is critical to bicycle safety and performance.A wheel that isn't true can cause a crash by rubbing on the brakes.The following steps will show you how to drive a car.
Step 1: Check your wheels for bent spokes.
Step 2: Use a spoke wrench to check the tightness of your spokes
You can adjust how much each spoke pulls on the rim by using the nipple at the end of the spoke.The spokes are equally tight on a true wheel and rim.You may want to flag those that are tight or loose.Different colored tapes are used for this purpose.
Step 3: If you want your bike to rest on its seat and handlebars, you should turn it upside down.
If you want the wheels to turn freely, you should turn the bike upside down.
Step 4: Remove the tire and tube.
Without these on the bike, it is easier to determine the shape of the rim.Attach the rim to the bike.
Step 5: Place or tape a ruler, pencil or other straight edge by the forks to make sure the tool touches the rim.
Minor fluctuations can be seen where the rim is closer to the straight edge.
Step 6: The wheel can be spun.
You will need to adjust the straight edge on the wheel because it is out of true.
Step 7: The spokes have to be tightened where the rim hits.
Make sure to tighten each spoke equally and not more than a half turn at a time.If you don't tighten the spokes on either side, you'll throw the wheel out of true.
Step 8: The wheel can be spun after each adjustment.
The rim should be equal distance away from the straight edge at all times.
Step 9: Look to see if the wheel is straight as it turns.
If true, every point on the rim will look the same as you spin the wheel.
Step 10: The points that hit the brake first are what you should watch for.
Step 11: The spokes on the side opposite the brake pad should be tightened.
Work slowly and tighten gradually.
Step 12: The spokes should be adjusted and tightened until there are no spots that touch the brake before anyone else.
Step 13: At the beginning of the process, check the spokes that you flagged.
Most of the time, the adjustments you have made have corrected the tightness or looseness you encountered.Continue the process if not.