Getting a wheel straightened

[hugh_]

Well I suppose it had to happen sooner or later as they've taken their fair share of knocks, after lending my roadie to a mate who is considering getting one, my rear Xero Lite XR-1 isn't as straight as it used to be . Wheel straightening, spoke tensions etc. is a bit of a black art to me as I know nothing about it, where is the best place to get it straightened, is it something my local bike shop can do?

[trickywoo]

Don't let anyone from halfrauds anywhere near it. They had three goes at one of mine and eachtime one or more spokes would go ping on the way home. Useless. They also managed to pinch an expensive tube and replace it with crap which bulged at the valve.

[Minnsy]

Actually its not so much of a black art as people might make out... get your self one of those park tool spoke tensioners.

However note this is for a MTB wheeel, have no idea if same method applies to road bike (as my roadie's wheels are straight and true..)

Turn bike updide down. spin wheels.
Note where the wheel is straight, and at this point, take a bit of a post-it note (cut down a bit) and fix this from the seat or chain stay so that it just touchs the bit of the rim that is not buckled.
From there, move wheel round and when the post-it moves, tighten the spokes so that the rim moves away from the post-it note.
If on moving the wheel round, the rim moves away from the note, tighten the spokes on the other side.

Don't go crazy with the tightening, half turn at a time at most.

This only works with a mild buckle, if the wheel is completely banana'ed then LBS it is..

Cheers

David

Edit - just re-read this, and hope it makes reasonable sense!

Edited by Minnsy on Friday 10th July 10:32

[Dudd]

Not all people in Halfords are speshul.

I got some mates who used to work in Halfords and they know everything about bikes and bike mechanics and were really helpful. at the same time you may get a jobsworth.

If you go in looking for help, look for the guys that have skinned shins and elbows! they'll be the bikers!

[mk1fan]

Answering the OP's question. Yes, your LBS should be able to do this no problems. Depending on how bad it is they may not charge much if at all (if you're a regular'.

[hugh_]

Thanks for the replies, it is with the LBS as we speak, hopefully be back on the road by the end of the week (that's me being busy to pick it up, rather than them being slow!)