How to True a Bicycle Wheel

[@grapefruitgrove]

This is the gold standard for informative KZbin videos. Thank you for all of your hard work! Would love to see more home bicycle repair videos!

[@adrondube]

As a VERY amateur cyclist that's looking to fix up his bike to get in shape, thank you for taking the time to make this video. My back rim, I thought, was warped and I was all but ordering a replacement wheelset. I used your technique of truing the rim and IT WORKED! Luckily my Next toolkit gadget already had the spoke wrench and after 20 minutes of playing with it, my "warped" rim is now even more perfect than the front one. Thank you, Sir! That money can now be used on other improvements! :D

[@ryanjofre]

Apparently your son is a very blessed soul like my siblings and I. God bless you and keep up the great work.

[@JWnFlorida]

when I grow up I wanna be a Machinist with a Garage that looks like that! I am only 41 now.. soon I hope to grow up! Fantastic Video!! Great Info!! One of the most informative videos on KZbin. and out of ALL! the Truing Videos I have watched, by FARRRRRRRRRRRR! the BEST!! Thank You Kind Sir! God Love and God Bless You and Yours!

[@randy9664]

Don, I borrowed my friends bike and thought I would look up how to fix her rear wheel loose hub assembly and came across your video. You go way beyond what I would do to fix this but I was pulled into watching your presentation. As others have said, excellent video, instruction, and editing. I wish I had your focus and patients. Thanks for the knowledge!

[@Yung1158]

Thanks for taking the time to post this. Those of us on a budget appreciate knowing how tedious certain tasks are before we bite into them...

[@mhakus]

Mr. Woodshop, I enjoyed your very comprehensive video. Fellows like yourself are an inspiration to me. I use my bicycle here in New York as my primary means of commuting. Whenever there is a problem -- such as a wobbly wheel -- I take it to the neighborhood bike shop and have it trued. There is a nagging feeling that I am shortchanging my bicycle experience by leaving the troubleshooting to someone else. Sir, I want to be like you. Seriously. I am so tired of paying others to solve my problems.

[@TheAmerex]

Your video was amazing, and to see someone with that much patience is rare. I wanted to just buy you a new rim 5 minutes in. Good job. Great father.

[@thomastidewater]

Wow! After watching hundreds of tutorials on every subject under the sun, I can honestly say that this is the only tutorial I've ever seen where I could not come up with some smartass comment to post afterwards! Truly professional in every way, and such a pleasure to watch and learn! You've left me speechless! My hat's off to you indeed! Thank you.

[@zaalen97]

Very good explanation on how to true a wheel,finally someone who know what he's talking about.Also that truing stand you made is EXCELLENT ! Thank you 4 sharing your knowledge. All BEST!

[@BENebuchadnezzar]

There a many other basic truing videos on KZbin which is precisely why many, myself included, appreciate a slightly more comprehensive approach, with homemade jigs to boot! What's appealing is that you give an in depth and precise explanation for everything you do which gives assurance to the viewer that they aren't being left without information. And this is reassuring as many here are attempting to do something that usually only bike shop repairmen are fit to do! Great video here Don!

[@JoseSuperbike]

Wow, that's a lot of effort to true a wheel. Well done for not giving up on it!

[@Justmyopinionlol]

This guy is a genius at work. I was doing a google search for DiY truing stand and here I am.

[@shaharpaz]

wow ! if only all bike shops mechanics knew all this and would treat our wheels with such commitment ! unbelievable ! good job ...

[@ScottArten]

One of the best! Very clear and comprehensive tutorial. I've seen tutorials like this given by pros and I was lost.You have taught me like a child but given me the knowledge of an adult. Thank you PS. The home built truing stand is excellent.

[@T3vAJT5N]

And then, I went and bought Musson's book - kind of the cherry on top!

[@ZootSuitWolf]

First of all... You have an awesome work shop!!! Second of all, your video is very informative and third, after watching this video, I've decided to forgo building my own rim and bring it to a bike shop because you showed me how much work it is to do it yourself and that the guy who re-spokes my wheels has definitely earned his money!!!

[@keiichi189]

I'm going to attempt my first wheel build soon. This is hands down the best video I'm seen on truing. I know what to expect now and thanks for the wheelpro link.

[@85krash]

DUDE, SIR!! you are amazing!! just by seeing and paying attention to your video, I noticed that I'm a idiot cause I tried to true my wheel and FAILED.. You are a perfectionist! and you ask for other peoples advice; you are humble. I would definitely take my wheel for you to true it.

[@RS-VQ35Racing]

I love your video no one has gone to the technicality of how important a well true bike is

[@chrisallen2005]

If only you put as much effort into creating a simple sentence.

[@T3vAJT5N]

One of the best videos on this - or any subject - on KZbin. Many thanks.

[@MrStarmonica]

Just wanted to thank you for an outstanding informational video. I have been biking and truing wheels for many years. Often times, after truing up a wheel I have wondered why it went out of true after a few rides. Your wonderful video educated me on what I have been doing incorrectly. Thanks for taking the time time to share your knowledge with others. Best regards, Ron Star

[@pef286]

I just built a a wooden stand a few days ago. Rock solid. I'll have to do the dishing gauge. I had a dial indicator that I added. I know you don't need it but it makes it fun. Fun watching the dial move when turning the spoke. Got it side to side less than .005. Makes it real easy. Problem the rear wheel has had a long hard life and while it is true, lots of spokes are lose and others are over tight. Time for a new wheel.

[@chrlmn7372]

Dear sir, your work with this truing the rim was surely the very best and most excellently done I have so far seen on KZbin! Big and warm THANK to you sir! I hope the rim worked for long time for your sons rides! Wishing you All the Very Best! /Charl

[@Split10uk]

I was tempted to have a go at making a wheel myself and have watched a few videos on youtube how to do this....BUT as an engineer myself that understands stress relieving etc they seem lacking or maybe I was wanting too much. However, after watching this video all my questions / doubts have been answered. Great video...thanks.

[@captain_barnacles]

I just found Roger's website the other day so it's great to see it's really not too hard if you prepare and go through the process methodically. Thanks for sharing!

[@KernelFactory]

Thanks for the video. While I won't be truing the wheels on my own road bike, I now know enough to take it to my local bike shop and tell them exactly what type of "trueness" I expect.

[@gr3lific]

You sir are amazing, and you need to do more videos like this so that people like me who are new to this stuff, don't have to put up with half done instructional videos.

[@pbattis1]

Wow! You really are in it for glory. Lubricating each individual nipple? I love it. I also love the idea of putting small pieces of memo-pad paper on the each spoke to better visualize how much they've been turned. Great job. Thank you for posting.

[@Jim-be8sj]

Amazing. I learned more in fifteen minutes than I could have during hours or days of trial and error monkeying around with my wheels. Thank you so much.

[@bolderiks]

Yes, this is what I call good stuff, a sort of feel happy video. Immediately lost my fear for loose spokes as I once did for hairy spiders. Don is the man!

[@AndreasFelix]

one of the best biketutorials i have ever seen on youtube. Thanks for sharing.

[@igwood71]

This is an excellent video. Great craftsmanship on your do-it-yourself tools. Also appreciate the followup on how the initial truing went.

[@dzcz63]

A compliment coming from an engineer... Now that is an honour. Thank you for the kind words.

[@markbattista6238]

FANTASTIC TRUING STAND , AND BY FAR THE BEST VIDIO ON WHEEL TRUING I HAVE SEEN TO DATE. THANKS

[@Firehead427]

Very detailed and meticulous instructional video. I love the hand made truing stand and dishing gauge. One might check the hub bearing adjustment to make sure there is any looseness. Any play in the hub bearings can make it impossible to true the wheel.

[@redneck579]

Really great video, Don! THANKS! I now have a VERY good understanding of all the necessary steps to true a wheel. Bike on, my friend!

[@Donswoodshop]

I agree the wheel building process is fussy. I also agree that the dish gauge is a bit "over the top", but it is not superfluous - it serves a definite function - to center the wheel on the axle. I just used the wheel truing stand again yesterday to straighten my rear rim after a spoke broke on a long bike ride with my biking group. It was a joy to use. I had the wheel trued in less than 10 minutes. The truing stand is definitely not inappropriate by any means.

[@jyork3978]

THANK YOU for making this great video. I mounted a small two-stroke engine on my beach cruiser. The sprocket for the engine works by sandwiching the spokes to drive the wheel from the left side, opposite the sprockets on the pedal powered side. I also put some airless tires on. The vibration backed off the left side spokes so that today in traffic accelerating through a left hand turning lane my spokes let go and my wheel bent into the frame. Your video gives me courage to try to save my bike

[@1972hermanoben]

Superb video, with the clearest explanations and instructions short of using Roger Musson's book (which is a MUST read); thanks so much, Don, and keep up the great work.

[@penthai19]

wow you sir is a great father, that is a whole lot of effort just for your son's rim

[@shenava]

I heard that the truing process what an art but after watching your video I can see how much work it really is. Great video, and nice work making the tools.

[@TonyStewartKY]

Thank you for taking your time to create this highly informative video and fully explaining the steps needed to true rims. It was nice of you to provide the link and to go a step further by providing the difficulties you experienced. I just recently started riding bikes again with my kids and have several rims to repair

[@IanHarper360]

Very nice video. Most detailed video on wheel truing that I've seen.

[@boczarionut1981]

I hit the like button on the moment when he presented the stand and the dishing tool

[@buellwinkle69]

Bravo this was really well done.. Makes KZbin a really wonderful way to share things worth knowing.... GOOD JOB ! ! ! !

[@GregArtDude]

Wow - respect for such dedication to getting a complete and good job done. Also great to see innovation like the flags of tape to insure as little residual twist left in the spokes as possible. Keep up the great work - and nice job on the stand too!

[@Black_Onyx]

Thanks for that video. This is probably the most complete truing video on KZbin...

[@Donswoodshop]

Randy - You are most welcome. Thank you for the kind words. A loose wheel hub is normally a simple repair. I bought a cheap adjustable wrench on sale and ground down the jaws to about 1/16" thick specifically for tightening and loosening the cone bearings on my bike rims and removing the axle and bearings for de-grease and re-lube. It is a pretty easy job to tighten the wheel hub if you have a tool like this.

[@nohow77]

You have put alot of effort into the subject. I think that is what is implied. You are very specific, thurough and even humble, that is rear therefor amazing to whitness.

[@dzcz63]

Thanks for the kind words. Glad that you enjoyed the video.

[@valamaas]

I have seen many videos and have been concerned about the centering of my rim and the vertical wobble (not the side to side that everyone else covers and forgets the former.) Thanks, I am also going to build my own truing stand and will purchase the book you recommend.

[@BENebuchadnezzar]

Excellent video here, I'm in total agreement with the other comments! I just need to find a way to improvise a dishing gauge now. I'd make one myself but this is a one time job only I hope!

[@jamesguthrie7749]

Awesome tutorial Awesome home made truing tools Awesome workbench

[@foreverseethe]

a 15 minute instructional video is a no-no on youtube. Approach it with an aim for all learners which means you assume everyone is completely ignorant of the subject matter. Clear, concise, direct, essential, hard-hitting. However you can solve all of these problems by simply removing the 'How' from the tile and noting it is for experienced bike-repairmen or following a professional procedure. But then a again I'm just a stranger on KZbin. Have a great summer!

[@smyrna5]

Nice job Dan. It really helps take the mystery out of truing and dishing a wheel.

[@soundsoftheforest2022]

The best how to true a wheel i've seen. Thank you so much for your time!

[@Donswoodshop]

Thank you for the kind words. I am far from being an awesome Dad, but I do like to tinker in the workshop and enjoy a challenge.

[@camlpg]

@Donswoodshop guess I could make a cardboard one. Thanks for the ideas. I did do a second check and fine truing on the wheel it is now almost perfect axially and radially. I checked with a tape measure to check for change in dishing it does seem to be much better(both sides showing only 0.50mm difference) but I should use the dishing gauge to make sure. Thanks for your help.

[@chiliandsiomai]

Most informative truing video so far. Thanks for this!

[@dogdutyascetic]

Don, amazing video. Truing is a fiddly business. Thanx for a great video.

[@Hiawg1234]

Great video. Your passion for bikes and woodworking is inspiring. Keep up the good work!

[@nanigo]

Many thanks for posting this very thorough and informative video tutorial. I'm going to download Roger Musson's The Professional Guide to Wheel Building book.

[@camlpg]

@Donswoodshop I went to DIY bike shop and learnt how to use a spoke tensiometer and it seems to have corrected the problem. One thing though, is that the front MTB is a double-walled rim and the tensiometer chart did not have a specified tension for this type of rim w. steel spoke but I think I tensioned it correctly. Checked the tension on back wheel and it seemed to be mostly within factory specs. The tool used was the Park ST1 Tensiometer. Tool retails from $50 - 90.

[@Dan-qp1el]

The video was well done, a pleasure to watch.

[@Aemiliuswallace]

just wanted to show you my appreciation and gratitude for this amassing and superb video, (the dedication and references are great!!)

[@ugobertoletti7072]

great video, really! I watched it twice, I wish I'd have such a work bench and place with tools, vice, and time to try to adjust my bike. I really look forward for other bike maintenance videos! Thanks very much from Italy

[@slinkytreekreeper]

Really superb video, super detailed, logical and concise.I wish my dad was half as clued up as you, or even able to help build a stand as good :)

[@hateroftherightyeah8325]

A fine video my man...and what a tidy shop. Admiral 5S! Well done mate

[@dzcz63]

Great tips! I don't know your background, but it sounds like you have some good experience with wheel truing. Thank you for your input. I like the idea of spoke prep on the nipple threads. Balance is the key and getting even spoke tension is also very important to keeping the wheel true..

[@eslindustries]

Awesome vid, have a wonky rim that I was getting no place fast on so will now be able to give it a shot

[@eepruls]

Really nice video. I've had a bike for years and always thought that when my back tire wobbles, it meant the rim had been bent from a hole or bump. I have to admit I was totally oblivious to what the spokes actually do and think there are a lot of people out there like me. I only learned of this truing process the other day. Anyways, I liked your video. Thanks for posting!

[@mkh4n]

Thanx a lot for a wonderful demonstration. Much helpful then other guys out there.

[@Donswoodshop]

Thanks for the kind words. Much appreciated!

[@josejn2007]

Excellent workshop! I don´t have such long time to do all that work.

[@dzcz63]

Thanks for the kind words. It took me about 2 hours to true the wheel. In my humble opinion, it is much easier just to buy a new wheel. I would go for wheels with a rim that has double wall construction.

[@glennoc8585]

An A+ for finish detail on your stand.

[@Lalfy]

I love your workshop. It's so tidy.

[@Donswoodshop]

By your comments, it sounds like you have much more expertise in wheel truing than I do. I am only a DIY woodworker, not a wheel builder. I made the truing gauge and stand just for fun and to learn about truing. It was not my intent to mislead anyone with this video. I think there is truth when you say that a comprehensive approach is not always required. Thanks the comments about tighter editing and a shorter video. Next video I do, I will definitely try to keep this in mind.

[@upward_onward]

Do you a video on how to build the truing stand ? Would love to make use of quarantine day.

[@Donswoodshop]

@davidisaurus - David - I used a drill press to drill the two holes at the both ends of the slot and a scroll saw to cut out the slots. Alternatively, you could use a jig saw to cut the slots. Good Luck!

[@riggermortisfpv526]

I just bought the 6th ed of the book, great advice on getting the book, thanks.

[@dmcossy]

Excellent video Don, thank you. and nice woodshop. I am in the second reading or Rogers book which is an awesome resource also. Could you possibly tell me what you used for the plastic pieces on the gauges? I can't seem to locate anything suitable. Thanks again.

[@chrisreymann1232]

Great video! Very helpful for getting my front wheel back in true after going otb last weekend haha!

[@gottenwheel14]

Awsome it took me ages to do about 4 to 5 hours as i dont have the truing stand or spoke wrench i only had a adjustable and had to use the brake pads to help me tru the wheel

[@aviewfromthesaddle4160]

I recognised that truing stand the moment the video popped up - I'm building one myself today :D Great video, thanks :) When you were tightening the spokes I thought "uh-oh, they're still going to be twisted" (I've read the e-book myself which I paid for and downloaded a few weeks ago). I see you addressed that at the end of the video though :) Nice vid, thanks for taking the time.

[@Donswoodshop]

I agree with pef286. Just use whatever materials you have on hand and it will be just as good as mine. Woodworking and mechanical repair are two of my hobbies so I have lots of left over materials to work with (maple veneer plywood, 1/4" cold rolled steel bar and 1/4" black plastic sheet). Finishing is nice, but not functionally required.

[@oreocarlton3343]

Beautiful truing stand!

[@Donswoodshop]

Please, I am far from amazing. I simply read the book by Roger Musson, built the jigs, practiced on my son's mountain bike, and posted my results on KZbin so that others might benefit.

[@chimera104]

Fantastic video! Very well explained & very impressive shed too!

[@directtalk1]

the spokey pro looks like a good tool, i searched for it on ebay but could not find one.?! might be a good idea to have the manufacturers list them, i'd buy one..! great vid. thanks

[@eelson2]

cool video, thank you for including your lessons learned during the process!

[@camlpg]

@YORKPEPPER Just make sure radially truing is done to. If you have not done this you better check. You have to take the tire off the rim and attach a straight ruler to chainstays and snug up against rim and do radially truing done. You still have to check dishing as well. I have found that it is possible to do this by using a thin(wide) tape measure. Any difference and you will have to do dishing adjustment. Tensioning can also be a problem as observed from this video.

[@Donswoodshop]

@camlpg My experience is that if you still have some loose spokes after truing, the rim will not stay true for very long. It is only a matter of time before you hit a big bump and your rim will twist like a pretzel. You need to get all of the spokes tight and tensioned as evenly as possible. In hindsight, I would forgo the triangular spoke wrench and go for the "Spokey Pro" wrench instead - a much better spoke wrench and not that much more money.

[@MiquelMCCallumiv]

I find it funny how things that are intricate from a genius always seems "SIMPLE" as they like to explain their "not so simple" creation SPOKE NIPPLES LOL sir this is a genius meticulous construction you have manufactured from scratch .. great video man thank you so much.. i may never make this but i can appreciate the process since my rim is bent and i will just take it to the shop

[@SS8541SS]

Wow!!! One the BEST videos on the subject!!! Any chance of posting the drawing of the stand and dish tool???

[@Donswoodshop]

Thank you for your kind words. Sorry, I cannot post the drawings. It would not be fair to Roger Musson. The drawings are available for purchase from Roger's website for only 9 GBP ($15 USD), at this link www.wheelpro.co.uk/wheelbuilding/book.php It is a very reasonable price.

[@valamaas]

@Donswoodshop thanks for that info. I have another bike for road where the rim is a little wobbly. Will live with that. I have a new bike for MTB and want to look after it better and will use your video to help with that.

[@BENebuchadnezzar]

But there's loads of simple 'how to' truing videos which are more novice friendly! Clearly Don was keying in to a slightly different breed of people which is what many of the other viewers have been commenting. He uses correct terminology and concise language which anyone who is practically minded will be familiar with, with a very thorough approach taken to every aspect of the job. And the 15 min length is why I clicked in the first place; it's the perfect length for an instructional video!

[@davidisaurus]

Hi, Donswoodshop. Thanks for the very helpful tutorial. I've purchased Musson's wheelbuilding eBook with the plans for building my own version of his stand. But being somewhat of a tool-limited project guy, I don't know that I have the appropriate tools for the job...most noticeably - I don't know which tool I need to borrow/rent/or purchase to bore out the two channels for the adjustable side of the truing stand (seen at 1:20). Any pointers? Would that be a router? Could a dremel do it?

[@nyzeta]

Hi. Very nice how-to. I do have a question: The reflex attached to the spokes, won't that dealign or give false tensioning while truing the wheel?