How to True (Straighten) a Bicycle Wheel

This video will show you how to fix a bike wheel which is no longer straight. This is quite an easy task which only requires one basic tool.
But what if your bike has disc brakes? I made a follow-up video on that topic:
• How to True (Straighte...
If you enjoyed and found this video useful, please subscribe and check out my many other bicycle maintenance tutorial videos. I am a volunteer bike mechanic and I really enjoy teaching others and sharing my knowledge and experience.
If you have any questions please leave them in the comments section below. I make a point of responding to comments as fast as possible.
Thanks for watching!

[@tonysuffolk]

Very well explained. Just one point. At he end of the process it's a good idea to squeeze pairs of spokes together with your fingers all around the wheel to remove any torsional tension in the spoke. Then check again that the wheel is true. If not, you may find the wheel goes out of true immediately you ride. Another small tip is to use bits of insulating tape to mark the spokes to be adjusted. Red for right side and blue for left side. That way, you will not forget which way to turn the spoke wrench.

[@ave5585]

Pip pip good tips

[@albertkennis]

Very good tutorial!

[@jasbarsoph]

Excellent tip👍

[@tonysuffolk]

@Ахрор Кабулов Hi, I don't know how to explain further. By squeezing spokes next to each other together it sometime makes a popping noise and seems to settle the spokes in. Sometimes after this process, a further readjustment is needed before the rim is straight.

[@RaphaelDawkinsCombatRadio]

Nice tips.

[@magetaaaaaa]

Had a bike in the garage with 2 flat tires, and a wheel so out of whack that I thought for sure the wheel frame must be bent. Walked it down to the gas station, filled up the tires, then came home and did this fix with an adjustable wrench. Just got back from a short ride and it seems to work great.

[@angry_tardigrade]

I knew I would have to work with the nipples to true a wheel, but bike shop mechanics always kept me in the dark about doing it right, justifying their pay. This video helped me a lot. Thank you!

[@Harry-uo2cr]

I feel like such a beast I just fixed my rim! Thanks!

[@esqueue]

And I just did it today. It wasn't bad but now it is nearly perfect. I was guilty of just opening the brake pads.

[@GoodGuyReign]

Such a frustrating issue if you aren't sure what you are doing. This is by far one of the most informative and well thought out "bike maintenance" videos. I'll definitely be back for any future issues I run into if you have videos on them. Thanks!

[@philrs9462]

I’ve watched several videos on this subject and the phrase “Lefty loosey. Righty tighty.” Is used in all of them. Thanks for explaining tightening the spoke. Means screwing the nipple closer towards the hub.

[@albertosanchez5446]

Dude omg you just saved me from buying a new rim

[@DocwithaJ]

does this work for a rim thats REALLY jacked up?

[@stewartscott5560]

Elijah A sometimes if the rim is extremely jacked up then you won't be able to salvage the rim

[@jeffreymac4915]

My dumbass was about to buy a new bike 😂😂

[@keilyn928]

Jeffrey Mac 😂😂

[@kurtismckemmie4850]

No shit! I have like 8 rims that needs to be replaced. But this video just saved me well over $100

[@hrhbucket4268]

I watched this video approx. 1 year ago. It was incredibly useful and effectively taught me the first steps in how to true wheels. Since then I must have true'ed about 50 wheels successfully. Thanks. much appreciated.

[@cjhoyle]

Awesome! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@cjhoyle]

Yes, quite an easy procedure once you understand the concept. It just can be time consuming, that's all. I'm glad you found my video helpful!

[@jeffriggs5174]

I learn alot from this video,Ive been turning the spokes the wrong way,all this time.Thanks for this video,very understandible.

[@duncanhopkins101]

This video guided me through the truing process from start to finish. The review of the "right hand rule" was a key to my success. My bike wheel is now true and I'm back on the road. Thank you.

[@emmymade]

Thorough and informative - thank you.

[@tuliobenavidez9952]

Had no idea you was into bicycles besides cooking

[@hybridhalo1]

8 years ago

[@Felahliir]

The world's a small place

[@jayblack5231]

I've been scared of doing this for literally years. Thank you for explaining this in a simple and clear way, I'm now picking up my spoke tensioning tool for the third time after throwing it across the room last week. Thanks!

[@HazBoz-ds8hr]

Jay Black 🤣🤣🤣

[@midiboy3]

Thanks. I was surprised how little it took to true my slight wobble. I tightened a spoke a half turn, then loosened the opposite a half turn - not prefect, but not rubbing anymore. I need to go out and buy a spoke wrench as my needle nose pliers are far from ideal. Your video is an excellent refresher for those who forgot which direction tightens or loosens.

[@Riveraeon]

You really helped me out, I had a frustrating day eating it on the sidewalk today avoiding some pedestrians and thought me at a decent loss, thank you for this lesson that allows me to regain myself on my own.

[@51actual]

I have seen a few of your videos. I have learned some things from you. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos. Please keep them coming.

[@kodiward7730]

Cjhoyle your video is the most simple and best described video I could find , Thumbs up for me.

[@alexbaxter3828]

Thanks from one of the yanks down below. You explained in practical terms and details and made the job easy for me. Peace to you neighbor :)

[@tylercummings909]

You're a hell of a teacher, I especially enjoy your diagrams and explanations, keep up the great videos!

[@DanielMatan]

you are making the best bike tutorials! love it that your doing it on low end parts, makes me feel i can do it my self

[@lilturk726]

Thanks for this video man, this has really helped a lot. Both tires on my bike, and a tire on each of my nieces bikes are bent, and my solution was to just loosen the brakes. I went and bought a set of spoke wrenches and I plan on spending a few hours next week truing the wheels on all of our bikes.

[@Gina-yi4em]

It is so simple. Just take your bike tire off, take five hours to find out what type of way to do that. Then losen everything, take off your bike tire off, find out what bike it is, understand how to take your bike tire off. Waste loads of time then find out how to losen your particular brakes, and tgen just tgrow tge bike away.

[@opusbg]

You are great, dude! Rarely have I watched such a crispy explanation of the solution to a problem.

[@calumgrant1]

Worked for me, thanks! I'm rubbish at bike maintenance. My bike is quite new and the spokes were very loose on receipt and my front wheel got VERY warped as a result. I also got away with an adjustable spanner.

[@victorvillarongoarce674]

Thank you CJ you always make sure a repair on a bike is easy and to the point thank you again for the valuable tips you have given me quite a lot of tips .I feel my bike repair mentor!!

[@VKozaMieSilata]

Respect for the videos man! Definitely huge help when I was building my own bicycle, always well explained! Keep up the good work if you got the time and energy :)

[@markh12891]

Dear CJH, you have the gift of clarity of explanation. I don't care what the topic of instuctions is it's the empathy of addressing what you preempt as things which a novice (like me) might find confusing. Very impressive and clear instructions - thankyou.

[@Zach_May]

I would happily recommend this video to anyone, I already had some spoke wrenches and knowledge on how to do this but this is such a through and informative video my rim is perfect! Keep putting out quality vids my man

[@craigdavies8657]

Thanks buddy. You taught me to do this myself in just minutes. Cheers for taking the time to explain it so clearly.

[@ocalavictory9751]

Wow, I've seen more wobble on brand new rims than the one you trued. Great job, and thanks for posting the vid. : )

[@monkeydude3987]

Thank you for uploading this! Got two bikes at home to do this one. Got the tool, now I have the know-how. Have a great day!

[@Denis63192]

Thank you, I think this is the best tutorial on youtube on how to true the bike wheel.

[@AlleyGator19er]

Excellent Tutorial. Very Helpful. Thank You So Much.

[@prolitify]

Good video man, very informative

[@grahamlane131]

cracking video, great confidence booster, off to try it out, probably watching again as I go, ty.

[@familyfree2994]

prolitify God damn way too much info...

[@KipperStudios]

Thank you for making such an easily understood, clear and concise video on the matter. I fixed my first flat tyre today and I noticed there was a hell of a lot of wobble, so this looks like something I'll need to get doing.

[@utubenick25]

Thank you for a clear easy to follow tutorial. As someone just taking up biking and wanting to do all the maintenance myself I appreciate it.

[@adamthebossdestiny7698]

thank you, my bike is really bent and I'm proud I found this

[@kboco4]

Thanks buddy, you've helped me save some money!

[@w.m.aslam-author]

Videos like these are the reason I love KZbin : ) My job for the weekend. Thank you!

[@cjhoyle]

They both will do the job, I actually used a circular one in my spoke repair video. The disadvantage of the circular ones is that each time you make an adjustment to one of the spokes, you need to check and make sure you are inserting the right side of the tool onto the spoke, so that you are using the correct size. In my experience, when I'm working on the wheel, the tool gets turned in my hand and I lose track of which size I want to be using. For this reason I prefer the single sized ones.

[@darkmatter32x]

awesome video dude. this helps a lot.

[@cjhoyle]

As long as you don't notice it affecting your braking, and you can't feel the wobble bringing your bike out of balance when you are riding, then I wouldn't touch it. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

[@briancondron5864]

I appreciate all the important details. Thanks for solving the spoke tightening mystery for me.

[@richdiscoveries]

Thank you very much for this. I have read up on how to do it, but I can't learn by reading, after watching you do it this is quite simple. I just trued the wheel on my bike I haven't ridden and well over a year. Thank you very much

[@fellowkillla]

You the man, spot on!!!! That helped a whole lot!!! Beers on me cheers!!!

[@barkbark9000]

Aq

[@allknowingdeitysacrificeal4107]

nice vid man. i had some lopped ass rims. now i cant keep track of all the ladies on my jock my rims spin nice and straight

[@Dan27.]

This is by far the most detailed, comprehensive and well executed video about truing wheels on KZbin! Good job man!!

[@Vazquez12able]

Helped me alot on my DH rig! Watched the video and fixed both of my wheels. Really nicely explained.

[@oscar4612345]

Thanks! This was so helpful! Now I don't have to waste $40 on getting someone to fix it for md

[@Lashasaurus]

When someone asked for my job description as a bike mechanic, I told them: "I LUBE THE NIPPLES AND PUT A TUBE IN THE REAR"

[@kurtismckemmie4850]

LMFAO!!🤣

[@maxdelossantos9460]

I was able to make the needed adjustments on my bike thanks to this tutorial.

[@jordantiller]

This is a great instructional video you really covered all the important details in a clear and concise manner. Thank you!

[@elzurdo8173]

nipple lol xd

[@properjob]

an excellent instructional video that sets out the different stages of the task very intelligently and in an understandable fashion. Thanks for making it and for sharing your knowledge

[@brianwastle3760]

This was HUGELY helpful, especially compared with some of other KZbin clips that were either too simplistic (eg. "bash the wheel against a rock") or too expensive (eg. "buy a tuning stand and a separate gauge"). Thank you.

[@digiandom19]

You're a great teacher. Explained very well. Accommodating to all learning styles. Felt like I was in a bike class. Not only learned how to fix my problem, but learned terminology too. Thank you!!

[@GurumurthyPandit]

thanks for putting up this extremely helpful video. definitely saves me some money by not taking my bike to a bike shop.

[@WoodyMTB87.]

8 year old video and easily the most simple and helpful video on here today. Thanks

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I'm glad it was helpful!

[@Eddy929292]

Excellent video. Very well explained and presented. Thank you so much for putting this out there!

[@arturrosa3166]

That was really well explained. Informative, detailed and very professional. Many thanks and thumbs up!

[@Initech76]

Smartest, fastest & cheapest way to true (straighten) a rim. This is a huge help. Best how-to-video ever! Putting the hammer down & getting a spoke wrench. Thanks!

[@Jambeman]

Thank you for the video! It helped me a lot. I was so sick and tired of riding my bike with croocked wheels. Thanks again!

[@KrunoJanes]

Thank you for this, you explained it clearly so even a bicycle layman like me could understand this. I learned a lot!

[@TheWesleyt]

Great video. Clear instructions, good pacing. Thank you!

[@Murdog83]

CJ, I appreciate your videos a lot. They're always the most informative and helpful.

[@LarryMFjohnson]

good detail, I was looking for a video that I could do it at my house without a truing device and this helped perfect. A bench vise works well to. thanks man

[@ludovicbornaghi3725]

Awesome video, very helpful, I've been trying to fix my wheel for ages and now its perfect

[@budfrogluv]

thanks for your time in making this very helpful video, my friend!

[@joelschneider2186]

This was SO excellent, I have so many bike possibilities now! THANK YOU!

[@OLI7D]

Thanks a lot! Superb instruction, you made this very easy!

[@MrPMOSullivan]

fantastic good explained video. thanks alot! I finally managed to understand it and I only just got out of bed

[@patrickworking3065]

Thank you for this, this process has eluded me for years, I've tried my hand at it before but never really understood the underlying theory. I have a couple bikes I need to go repair now!

[@chefjeegar]

Thumbs Up! Kudos! You have made a video for bicycle lay man like me. Explained it so well I will never forget and in doing so you have trumped even the bicycle shop professionals who make videos. What they missed is that not everyone has garage full of lots of tools and bicycle stand and lost of accessories. With your explanation was able to fix my wheeel by ordering the nipple for £0.99 off ebay without having to amass other tools. Wish you good health and luc

[@scottchris10sen]

All your bicycle videos have been fantastic, thanks for putting in the time

[@wxexw]

Very clear and helpful at 6:00 identifying which spokes need lo be tighter, and which need to be looser. Thank you. Exactly what I was looking for.

[@benlg9125]

Thanks for the info, best video explanation for a newbie like myself. Much appreciated!

[@deans6571]

Just checked my kids bikes today and both wheels have this very same problem. Initially thought the wheels were damaged but after watching this video, realised that they may just need adjusting as per your explanation. Super helpful vid so thank you. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@jh0071]

The only video which helped!! Keep up the good work, I just trued my first wheel, cheers

[@ethansloss5087]

This video is really informative! I'm glad I watched the whole video, an egg when doesn't sound nice... Thanks for the help!

[@pixel-classics]

Another great vid, thank you! This is exactly how my back wheel is right now, and it's this that I considered 'buckled', & didn't think this could be fixed. I had no idea the spokes could be adjusted like this to to correct it, so will try this fix before shelling out for brand new wheel. Thank you.

[@rockstar2923]

excellent and comprehensive tutorial, thanks you!

[@angelbencebi5920]

Great illustration. I've been riding and fixing bikes since my youth and this is the first time I've come to learn how to straighten a rim. Thank you for the content. Good luck.!!!

[@cjhoyle]

No problem!

[@joshpicard4139]

very helpful. got me back on the trails. thanks a bunch!

[@wabe55]

Very helpful! The right hand rule and the basic technique made it so simple. I'll give my wheel another shot tomorrow.

[@MrDisasterInc]

Excellent video, diy wheel truing demonstrated and explained vert well. I loved the white board diagram explanation, top notch. Thanks

[@pixiedollie1139]

I watched three other video's on how to true the wheel of a bike and still could not understand how to do this task. You made it plain and to the point. You did not throw in other stuff and confuse me. Thank you so much my tires are now true.

[@syrus3k]

There are several videos on how to do this on youtube, but this is by far the best. Cheers!

[@victorvillalongo3355]

I really got a very good idea how to true a wheel with your video.You explain very well and your technic on how to use the spoke wrench is very cool!

[@MrBeachbums5]

Very informative and very well presented! Thank you!

[@0ThrowawayAccount0]

This video is great and was very useful! Thank you!

[@drkrpr155]

Superb video bud, the first minute was just what I needed to see to touch up the alignment.

[@rahimpianoman5681]

Thanks man! Quite brief, straightforward and helpful :)

[@Cstank5]

This is the most helpful and I'm depth video I could find on how to fix a bent wheel. Thankyou so much!

[@MrBrazil05]

Great diy video. Looking forward to trying this out soon. The rear wheel of one of my bikes has a decent bent on it, similar to in your video. Thanks for the detailed info.

[@schattopadhya]

Loved the thumb/finger tightening/loosing idea, it was very helpful. My son's 20" bike has no rare brake pad, but the tire was touching the frame in few places, Your video helped stopped the wobbles. but then I found out the wheel was not connected properly to the frame. just loosen the nuts and re aligned the wheel to the center of the frame.Thanks!

[@mystic37e]

Great video thanks! Good clear instructions and done without the need for a trueing stand as most other vids show. Thanks again

[@djpullen]

You sir, are a legend! A huge thank you for posting this well explained guide! :)

[@Jamilomi404]

BEST VID EVER!.. thank you!! i can now fix my wobbly wheel!

[@imlikemike86]

This is the best tutorial for anything I've seen on KZbin. Very helpful and informative!

[@F00dTube]

Really thorough and exhaustive tutorial. Well done and thank you very much.