Bicycle Mechanics - Righting wheels

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lighty
05-29-06, 02:46 PM
Hi,

I've recently had my 16spoke rear wheel rebuilt (needed new hub) and have noticed rear wheel is not actually round, but has a very slight bump in it (couple of mms if that). I wondered if this can be fixed if wheel is built up properly? i.e. through spoke tension (the cowboys that built mine, a big bike shop in Reading, left 3 spokes completely loose and cassette has already come loose)

Thanks for any help as always
lighty

Landgolier
05-29-06, 03:42 PM
16 spoke rear built poorly? Stop riding it now and take it to a real shop. The radial truing issue is easily corrected.
r-dub
05-29-06, 04:56 PM
having a 16 spoke wheel built by anyone other than a competent wheelbuilder = bad idea.

operator
05-29-06, 05:32 PM
16 spoke wheels are probably a bad idea under any conditions.
Al1943
05-29-06, 05:51 PM
Low spoke count wheels are more difficult to true because there is less control. If the 2 mm bump is between spokes there may not be anything you can do with it without re-shaping the rim. What kind of wheel is it?

Al
lighty
05-30-06, 06:27 AM
Bontrager x lite wheel.

Thanks will try find a good wheel builder - its annoying having to pay again but just goes to prove that smallest quote isnt necessarily best value!
Landgolier
05-30-06, 07:36 AM
Are you in Reading, UK, or Reading, PA, or somewhere else? Depending on where you are, people on here might be able to reccomend good local wheelbuilders.
Al1943
05-30-06, 09:37 AM
Bontrager x lite wheel.

Thanks will try find a good wheel builder - its annoying having to pay again but just goes to prove that smallest quote isnt necessarily best value!

Not surprized. My wife has Bontrager Race Lite wheels with paired spokes. The front wheel is slightly bowed in one of the gaps between paired spokes, about 1.5 mm. It's been that way since new. I'll have to detension the spokes and then bend it straight. Paired spoke wheels look cool but are a PITA. I'll probably build her a set of lightweight conventional wheels when I convert her to Campy.

Al