Bicycle Mechanics - riding an untrued wheel bad?

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montlake_mtbkr
02-13-03, 03:50 PM
so obviously it's bad but I'm wondering how bad?
I'm new and somewhat ignorant about bikes but I crashed a several months ago and there was a visible "wobble" in one area but I continued to ride it (~ 3 months) until I took it in to be trued recently. I noticed though that there is still a slight bend or wobble when I inspected the spinning wheel. Did I permanently damage this rim riding it for two months or did they do a bad job of truing it?

Bandit
02-13-03, 04:19 PM
they did a bad job of truing it. i'd find someone else. a good truing job should result in a true rim.
Rotifer
02-13-03, 04:41 PM
I just looked at your bike (in the introduction thread). Considering the rim, it's possible that ding is permanent. Wheels are the most expensive part of a bike (well, xc and road) and generally the area manufacturers poop out on.

moabrider47
02-13-03, 04:42 PM
I don't think you permanently damaged it from riding it like that. If you had, the LBS should have told you when you got it back. How noticable is the wobble? Is it enough to rub the brake pads or interfere with brake setup at all? If it doesn't bother these things, than I wouldn't worry about it for now. However, the shop should have been able to get the rim trued well if the rim wasn't damaged.

Are you noticing the wobble when looking down on the wheel from above with a tire mounted? The tire being mounted incorrectly or deformations in the tire such as bulges, etc. could result in the wheel appearing to have a wobble, while the rim is perfectly true.

-Moab

Edit: Just read Rotifer's post-that could be an option too.
montlake_mtbkr
02-13-03, 06:11 PM
it doesn't rub anymore since it was trued, but I can tell that its definately the rim that has a hardly noticeable bend in one area. I just want to be sure it's structurally safe to ride on, particularly since I'm still a novice at the whole mt biking thing.
moabrider47
02-13-03, 06:50 PM
Make sure none of the spokes are broken or feel really loose at the hub. If you don't notice anything from doing this, I wouldn't worry about it if its barely noticable. Just ride it and have fun. Next time your at the LBS, just ask one of the guys there to take a look and see if its just a ding that is going to stay there. Good luck!

-Moab