Learning to true a wheel WITH AND WITHOUT A TRUING STAND | Syd Fixes Bikes

Got a wobbly wheel? Once you understand the basics, fixing it is a breeze!
What you'll need:
Truing stand (makes this MUCH easier): bit.ly/3c8JSaz
Spoke wrench: bit.ly/3uYzvP7
Other things in the shed:
Our toolkit: bit.ly/337LfDf
Allen keys: bit.ly/2HpDW15
Work stand: bit.ly/3mTXStc
Tool pegboard: amzn.to/3mTYlLY
Syd's apron: amzn.to/345MbHz
Paint pens: amzn.to/2TpCL4u
00:00 Intro
00:18 What you'll need
00:31 Why should you do this?
03:53 Check spoke tension
07:42 Tightening and loosening spokes
14:15 Truing a wheel without a truing stand
16:15 How to true a wheel in one minute
These links are affiliate links which means we get a small percentage of the sale! The price stays the same for you, but you can support our channel by purchasing through one of these links :)
If this video was helpful and saved you time and/or money, consider supporting the channel:
Patreon: / sydandmacky
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Paypal: paypal.me/sydandmacky
Or hit the "Thanks" button above to leave a tip
Our vlogging channel: / sydandmacky
Our Instagram: / sydandmacky

[@sydfixesbikes]

If this video was helpful and saved you time and/or money, consider supporting the channel by hitting the "Thanks" button above to leave a tip.

[@T8minifreak]

Hello Syd. My local shop is charging $35-50 USD depending on severity is that a lot?

[@ggebhard1]

@@T8minifreak I don't think it's a lot. You had to buy all the proper tools that I don't have, plus your experience is very valuable! Imagine Sid doing this job without the help of her Husband. Even though I know how to do this job, I'd still rather take it in to a shop.

[@T8minifreak]

@@ggebhard1 wrong response. Edit: i took it to another shop that charged me $20

[@buggsmcgee9270]

She's Cute! Can we keep her ?

[@JoseOrtega-rc6fd]

😍😍😍😍

[@ggebhard1]

I love how you make Syd think on her own! When I was a kid, (I'm now 71) my father bought me a spoke tightener tool, because I was trying to remove spokes with a needle nose pliers. I had a hub that broke, so I took another wheel completely apart and switched hubs! Luckily the hub fit on my better bike. I put every spoke back on and after quite awhile, I was able to tighten all the spokes back to true. I loved my dad, because he didn't help me. He aways let me learn by trial and error. He did, however, show me how to pluck the spokes for sound. We were farmers. All my bicycles were hand me downs or junkers.

[@andersama2215]

I bet others have said this, but the moment you said you could listen to the sound the spokes make. I immediately grabbed my phone and pulled out my guitar tuner app. I might be terrible tuning by ear, either way, without knowing what was and what wasn't good tension having a relative measurement helped. Pretty much immediately straightened out my wheel no problem.

[@floreschris5574]

Holyactually moly, thanks for the brilliant idea m8t.

[@studentHoobs]

Next level mate

[@D4veJap4n]

Smart. And I'm mad that I didn't figure that out myself haha

[@Drzhounder]

I actually LOVE that you guys go into the ‘why’. No other trueing video I’ve seen does that. And btw, damn nice trueing stand you’ve got there.

[@nickkent7164]

The best "how to true a wheel" video I've seen. The section on tone of spoke for about 5 minutes was a Eureka moment! Thank you

[@SuchtFaktorHoch10]

actually blew my mind. genius and yet so simple. plus the tip from Renax the man that spokes way more likely loosen makes everything so much easier. If you are unsure always go for tightening the spokes.

[@tylersimpson5541]

Yeah I was about to go start doing whatever I thought was right and I’m glad I had this moment too with the guitar musical stuff

[@mattgies]

I do build wheels and I am enjoying myself, because I watched Syd giggle after saying "nipple".

[@dhorubaPRIME]

She did an amazing job at acting like she didn't know what she was doing! She asked all the questions a viewer like me would ask! In short, a fantastic video on how to true your wheel and why!

[@nazmulhuda3262.]

I thought she actually didn't know anything.

[@reinach77]

She's actually learning stuff while making the video.

[@joeennis2571]

i think you are correct , and for the reasons you suggested

[@MrNiceCobra]

She's learning stuff. She is a little clumsy , but it is cute :)). Also, mechanic will never have rings on fingers, shirt sleeves over fingers, and her hands are too nice for manual work person. I am mechanic and cant wear even a watch, which is sad, because I like watches :))

[@paolocapozzi927]

You guys are really good at explaining! Another thing I would suggest is, before you start the process put a drop of oil where the nipple enters the rim. Also, whenever you turn any spoke, turn it a 1/4 turn more than you want, and then turn that 1/4 turn back. The first thing helps with the nipple getting stuck on the rim and the second helps against spoke twisting.

[@timothybradek3560]

Thank you.. that makes sense.

[@Goosefang]

Love the dynamic that you two have. Macky is very informative without being condescending. Makes for great teaching. Syd, you are just awesome! Glad I found you guys.

[@ryancherian9917]

this video is better than both the GCN videos on truing. The fact that Syd goes through all the steps in the process as if she's someone who doesnt know what theyre doing makes it perfect for those who don't know what they are doing!!! thanks sm

[@SuperPetVet]

What I've found works great at keeping track of what spokes you're working on is using painters or masking tape. Rip off a couple of small pieces and stick one to the first spoke of the section you're working on and then stick the other to the last spoke. Once you've finished that section, use the same pieces of tape to mark off the next section, and so on. Works like a charm.

[@nazmulhuda3262.]

I think chalk might help better.

[@nettle_head]

this is extra cool. i love watching a tutorial where im learning along with multiple mechanics, a more experienced person and someone who is actively puzzling it out. this is awesome.

[@SteelR4t]

Absolutely brilliant. Easily the best guide I've seen. It helps that Syd's not too sure of what she's doing because it's easier to understand the same kinds of questions that go through your mind as a novice when you come up against the fairly frequent, "so what do I do here" situation. Loved the "twang for note of spoke" tip to assess tightness too!

[@RenaxTM91]

As a general rule of thumb, a spoke will never just magically for no reason work itself tighter, it'll almost always be the other side becoming looser. either by stretching or just the nipple works itself a bit loose. If they've become tight its mostly because they've gotten a sharp kink that won't straighten out and at that point its spoke replacement time.. you can loosen it a bit and keep riding a weakened spoke, but in addition to not being as strong the kink will slowly work itself out and you'll need to keep tightening the spoke multiple times.. so just replace it and be done.

[@sydfixesbikes]

That's a great point.

[@steinbauge4591]

I replace stuff when it does not work anymore ;) it can work for years with a little wooble :)

[@leoeneji.]

Thanks for your help guys you are great,

[@larrydaniels6532]

That reasoning only works if the wheel hasn't had an attempt at truing from either a bike shop or an owner! As a bike shop employee, the usual procedure would be to loosen the over-tight spokes first, without question!

[@jfpjfpjfp]

Used the zip tie method this morning on a wonky front wheel. With a little trial and error got it looking pretty good. Now I can adjust and use the front pinch brakes again. Thanks!! Great vid.

[@magiusgames4760]

Kudos to the cameraman for the best tip I've heard about truing the wheel and checking tension: Play it like a harp! I just bought a bike and was having trouble getting the wheel true. Plucking the spokes showed me instantly how none of them matched, some were barely inserted. From an hour of frustration to a 5 minute fix!

[@davecrashes4905]

LOVE this one. Your explanations for otherwise complex repairs are outstanding.

[@lyndawkswks853]

Brilliant! Love the musical side of it.... a gem!!! Makes it so much easier!! Never thought of it thanks guys 😄

[@JBAE1231]

I wanted to say what a great video this was! First, for me learning is always about the, "why" and I appreciate you both for going into it. Even better than that is seeing that she never once asked to be, "spoon fed" the answer to any question, and he never, "gave away" an answer either. It is this very thought process that allows one to problem solve effectively and avoid giving up so easily on any issue (not just this one). Bravo and good luck to your channels success, I definitely enjoyed it as a person trying to become more mechanically inclined to repair my own bike!

[@stevenhowes530]

I love the pinging of the spokes. I've rarely trued a tire but was never confident on which to loosen or tighten. that helps

[@glebivanovsky7886]

A tip for someone who is tone deaf (from someone who is tone deaf too): when tightening a spoke, loosen two adjacent spokes, which would pull to the opposite site, by half as much. And vice versa: when loosening a spoke, tighten two adjacent to it by half as much. This will keep the "total tension" the same, so you are not overtightening the wheel. And in my mind it will also reduce the risk of getting an egg-shaped wheel.

[@sebastianjost]

There are also apps that can imitate a tension-meter by recording the sound.

[@markthompson5136]

The conversation aspect instead of just one person explaining to the camera was lovely and much more informative! Great video :)

[@philrc1]

Luv these "Syd fixes bikes" vids. Nice work, Keep it up.

[@ANTheWhizkid]

This is what I´m trying to get better at. Thanks for the upload!

[@mrmeach1967]

Great video. It’s entertaining, which is sort of hard to do when your emphasis is educational. It’s also clever (and funny) by intelligently fumbling through Syd’s thought process. After watching the whole thing, I feel like the one-minute summary at the end is mainly what you get in most other wheel truing videos.

[@agma]

OMG guys, thank you! Even though everything you showed is straightforward and just follows common sense, before I watched this video all this stuff just did not "click". Same applies to many other videos. Very nice structure and accents. You are fantastic teachers!

[@gaelcarlier8809]

Another great video with super clear explanations, thank you very much Syd and Macky!

[@rebelonatrail1182]

Wow, imagine my surprise when I tried to true a wheel for the first time and it just seemed to get worse. Then I watched this video and realized that everything I was doing was making it worse! Thank you!

[@chrisgenovese8188]

super helpful, with all the charm of you two interacting, and Syd learning with us!

[@joegentry5337]

Had fun learning this with you. Thanks for being willing to do it on camera.

[@sabergo1]

Thanks, this was very helpful. I appreciate Syd's humility and Mackey's patience.f

[@waynecallister2236]

Informative and entertaining. You two have nailed it yet again!

[@ChadLudlow]

Ya'll are always on point with a new tech tutorial for a maintenance item that I'm in need of performing!

[@sydfixesbikes]

We read minds 😜

[@dalelynn7243]

Thank you very much. Have never attempted wheel maintenance, with that awesome video, I might just trust myself to give it a try when the need arises. Thank you 😁

[@chadfren]

Thanks Mackie! You always have the best advice. Fantastic work, Mackie.

[@matthieudanneels5122]

The final thing I should do myself, great video, I'm gonna need to watch it 10 times at least

[@andrewhillman9632]

Wonderful video, jus trued my front wheel using this method (zip tie 😉) and it worked great, no more wobbly wheel!

[@torque-aholic5039]

And of course... great job from the teacher, well explained.

[@davidlsmithjr129]

This video and $40 for a cheap truing stand brought my wheels back after my 29" mountain bike fell off my carrier at 60 mph. Thank You!

[@davidlance5209]

Informative and very helpful. Thanks!

[@sharonburns2771]

I have been thinking about stringed instruments a lot in terms of adjusting shifter cables, but the conversation about spokes being sharp or flat is truly mind-blowing

[@torque-aholic5039]

Wow, somebody actually explained it in a way I can understand! I love the way the attractive youngin explains it, in layman terms.

[@frank9919]

Thank you guys so much. Simple, Clear, everyday language people can understand. I really appreciate that so much!

[@geemail369]

JUST in time! Got me a well worn rig today and gonna start fixing it up! *_°thx°_*

[@warbodean1226]

I must say this was truly informative and watchable. The music lesson also will go a long way towards truing my own wheels. I live and work in an undeveloped country and you have to rely on yourself to get things done and this will really help. Thanx.

[@PaulBeiser]

This was awesome! The best explanation (and process) of what to do and how to do it. Thanks!

[@cruzmarchant8349]

This video is so much less confusing than other wheel tru videos!!! Now my wheels are finally in tru. 😃🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@johngonzalez1193]

Incredibly informative and well done thank you very much!

[@trophy1999]

I have been putting off truing my wheel for a while. Your video is both informative and entertaining. Cheers.

[@trophy1999]

Just finished truing my wheel. It's now nice and straight thanks to your video.

[@tsiturbotsi]

Always learning some great info on your channel.

[@ScottSchapiro]

This was the first video I have watched on your channel and it was not just super informative and helpful, but it was just really easy to watch and follow. I haven't yet attempted this on my bike, but I feel so much more comfortable giving it a go. You both made this seem much less intimidating than some other videos I have watched. Subscribed! Thanks!!!!

[@OnCloud911]

Excellent video! Thank you for sharing! One tip I've learned for asymmetric rear wheels is that drive-side spokes will get tensioned more than rotor side. And (as you did in the video) you want to check "dish" repeatedly by flipping the wheel in the truing stand throughout the process. The rim can get off-center quickly if this is not given enough attention.

[@solitaryrefinement6787]

01:13 Me leaving the club at last call at 4 o'clock in the mornings when I was a youngin'.

[@Makulax]

Great love watching others do the work I used to.

[@DameEdnaBrown]

It's fun watching you two

[@lunaelmlilly1789]

Love your channel, I've learned so much from y'all! Thanks for helping me get a better grasp on how to keep my wheels pretty true. Peace!

[@nene71286]

Thanks a lot! This is really great. Thanks to both of you.

[@newtonsantos_photo963]

Yours stand is amazing !!! Loved that 🤙 Syd thinking while trying to true the Wheel is also outstanding 😜

[@tonyirvin1866]

Thank you Syd & Matt for your invaluable demonstration!❤😊🎉

[@DrewCatlin]

Great video! I don't have a stand so I've always done it by sight & sound & now I'm going to do your zip tie trick tomorrow

[@1969Escobar]

Perfect video to share, congrats!! keep the good work

[@JohnSmith-dq1rx]

Thank you for this, this will help me teach my daughter.

[@Mr_ravee_]

Thanks for part 4 ...Life saver imho👍✌

[@teekaynine7477]

LOVE the plucking idea! As far as the left-loosy, righty-tighty goes...I visualize that I am viewing the spoke head on through the rubber tire. That way, I don't have to flip my mind in reverse to loosen/tighten. :) Great video!

[@duroxkilo]

great video. when things get super close to being true, every little detail counts.. for example i found that dirty spokes can lie to you: the friction between two crossing spokes will have a 'delay' in deforming the rim. everything is great on the stand and then after a few turns w/ your weight on the wheel you see a (new) wobble. so act accordingly: clean the spokes, lube the friction points, massage the parallel spokes, etc, when things don't seem to work.

[@timothybradek3560]

Interesting.. thanks.

[@tripflycfi]

Thank you for this video. Your approach to this was unique and useful. Though I am sure Syd knows more about trying wheels than I ever will, she was a great surrogate for one of us who gets a little stuck and needs a little help with the trickier parts. Well done

[@rogeranderson1524]

Delightful! Useful and entertaining. I love how there's no ego or arrogance from these two. Subscribed. :-)

[@sydfixesbikes]

Welcome!

[@dcraft969]

Thanks so much. You folks do great instructional vids

[@oldschooldude3500]

You guys are awesome. This is a very helpful video and explains in plain simple terms to follow along truing a wheel. Worked out great tonight. It's been a long time since I've done this and last times I did it took forever to do. Thanks. Please keep your videos coming.

[@silverwolf469]

Thank you for the knowledge and understanding.

[@only_1dhornet]

This video made the most sense to me…thanks guys, great video

[@kloudking1]

Awesome 👍 Thank you for making this video!

[@lesio333]

Listening to the spoke tone makes so much sense. Of course. Thanks

[@tegucigalpa2]

What a great video! Good job, you guys addressed all my questions 🙂

[@landonthings]

“Learning together” was extremely helpful!!! Thanks fir the video y’all!

[@mattkavanaugh5623]

Great advice about using the tone of the spoke to figure out if it's loose or tight!

[@ethaniel_tweedy]

This is brilliant! Love the technique of checking the spoke sound. Thank you! 😊

[@alexfelix8329]

I build my own wheels and for others, you asked, "if you build your own wheels why are you watching this video?" I'm open to seeing how others build wheels, you can always learn something new!!! After building wheels for a few years I learned from " bike man for you" ( he's nolonger making bike videos, how to tighten spokes by tighten #1 then skip 2 and on to #4,so you are tightening rightside then leftside and going around the wheel much faster and straighter, till you get to the fine tuning. Great work!!

[@foxykc]

Am embarking on doing my own work and these videos are invaluable

[@andyford5855]

Watched a few other videos, but this was the one that helped the most! Tire is no longer hitting the frame!

[@bradlinn6822]

You guys are the best! Thanks for the awesome video! I am getting bikes ready for spring riding.

[@edheide7229]

I could really relate when Syd said "help" as Iv`e been there. It also was very helpful to learn while you were learning. Now I`m a Subscriber. And I like that you recap at the end. A big thank you.

[@user-jt9su3oh5t]

You two are brilliant at explaining and showing how to sort bikes out..

[@DanT10]

You can use a phone app to listen to the frequency of a spoke if you are tone deaf. This was an awesome(!) video. Definitely worth a subscribe.

[@ShreddinDirtyOutdoorAdventures]

Interesting point on the musical tone, actually made a lot of sense. I have a spoke tensioner and that will make it even easier to find which spoke it is off to focus on

[@glenangelos6025]

Its a great way to learn something,watching someone else learn! Very good and helpful video!

[@PumpkinVillage]

Very informative video again. Hope all is going well. Take care, Al

[@MKDSime]

the sound trick is very good thank you very useful be safe :)

[@possumpete]

Excellent. Simply excellent. This covers everything needed including the mental confusions. The "tightening music" works for me as a check ,an affirmation, of the directional dyslexia the spoke nipples (giggle) bring to this journey.

[@MrKing1961]

Girl you are doing very good I love your videos , you 2 work very good together congrats!!!

[@JimTimber]

So helpful !! Thanks so much for this !!

[@filippomanoli230]

I really appreciate your way of doing video. You question, doubt and answer (and add little corrections post recording). You are really giving a colorfull lesson. Love your work! Hope you can keep it real also in future videos! :)

[@jbrew44]

Thank you for this video.

[@ehinspections]

Thank you for sharing this helpful video! I like the way you did the video, because it taught me more about the process! Thank you!

[@jaysee2213]

Excellent video, I like the format of explaining it through someone who doesn't quite get it (just like I don't) makes it easier to understand from my point of view!! Thank you!

[@keithengel2576]

I love the recap at the end! with at home solutions. Great explaination

[@pedaltherapy806]

Nice video. Some things to consider for those watching: Wheel strength comes from equal tension in spokes, not whether it spins true or not. Wheel strength is more important that truness (if that's a word). As noted in the video, with disc brakes, a perfectly true wheel isn't as important anymore. Strive for equal spoke tension first, a true rim second. If the rim is new, then both goals can be met. If the rim is bent, equal spoke tension is nearly impossible without physically bending it back, and you can't bend it back with just spoke tension. 10:20 - this part is key. If the rim is bent, you cannot un-bend it with spoke tension. Trying to do so will cause uneven spoke tension. See point above. 14:10 - another key part. I'd wager that most riders, if truly tested, couldn't tell if a wheel was spinning true or not while riding. If a wheel is well built, then it won't come out of true enough for someone to notice while riding, unless the rim becomes bent from a large impact. If it's bent, then it has to bent back before striving for equal spoke tension. Straightening a bent rim is out of scope for this type of video. Also out of scope for the video is dishing (both for rotor mounts and cassettes) and how that affects spoke tension. There's also variation in materials (rim, spokes, nipples) that will prevent you from getting a wheel with perfectly balanced spoke tension. And of course, carbon vs alloy (carbon doesn't bend). With all that being said, I used to obsess over a true rim with rim brakes. Now with disc brakes, I don't care. I build the wheel with good techniques to ensure a strong wheel, that will stay true as long as possible, then rarely touch it again, wobbles and all (unless it's REALLY wobbling, .5" or more). Why? Because I can't tell the difference while riding if it's true or not, and the wobbles are likely from impacts that have bent the rim. I'll spend the extra time obsessing over something else that has more tangible benefits, like fork stiction. :)

[@larrydaniels6532]

This is spoken by a person that doesn't have a clue. Wheel strength is more important than trueness. Just wrong! I can build a perfectly strong wheel that is totally out of true and that would be a great mistake! Because both strength AND trueness are the goal. Maybe for a slow mountain bike with a low pressure tire, but even in that example - trueness is always obtainable and should never be passed off as too difficult to do. In an out of round condition (radial roundness-the primary component of trueness) the wheel will have to lift the center of gravity above a centerline and drop this center of gravity of the bike and the rider in each and every rotation of the wheel. This will destroy momentum, the unnecessary lifting and dropping (of the center of gravity) uses (wastes) the energy one puts into the bike for forward momentum. Again, if you are on a slow, low pressure tire on a mountain bike (that also is propelled by gravity a lot of the time that it isn't going slow), then who cares? A high quality road bike with far higher tire pressures on a real road (hopefully very smooth road) is another matter completely. Once you have experienced riding on really round wheels you know why it is worth the effort to get there.

[@pedaltherapy806]

The video shows a mountain bike wheel. Modern mountain bike tires are over 2" in width, and run at low pressures (~20 psi), ridden on dirt trails with lots of variability in trail surface. This makes it difficult to discern minor variations in radial and lateral trueness. I agree these variations may be more noticeable on a road bike with narrow tires, high pressures and smooth surfaces. Both strength and trueness are good goals, but spoke tension has to be equal for both (ignoring dishing for now). Bend a rim (where it's physically deformed), then get it true with just adjusting spoke tension, and you'll have uneven spoke tension. Not good. A true AND strong wheel is most certainly obtainable, but how far is one willing to go to obtain it? If the rim is deformed, it takes more than just tightening spokes to make it a strong wheel again. "Too difficult" is relative to the experience and knowledge of the person doing the maintenance. In my opinion, strength shouldn't be sacrificed for just a true wheel. This whole Park video is good, but our topic is explained well here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5OWY5tqhbCSl7c and here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5OWY5tqhbCSl7c Thanks for reading!

[@larrydaniels6532]

@@pedaltherapy806 I really don't know where truing a deformed rim comes into play? Every wheel I build or true has both strength and trueness, it is how things are done! No one would have a wheel that is pretty true and have spokes that are more than likely to fail or to detune themselves.

[@pesci1732]

This has been very helpful and illuminating 👍🏻 great video

[@ludwigvonn9889]

This is exactly what it looks like when a noob (us) is about to fix his spokes and all.. the whole thought process is there. Love it :D

[@bobby769]

When tightening the spoke, spin the wheel up so the subject spoke is at eye level. This way it'll always be righty tighty.