Bicycle Mechanics - Truing a rin "on bike"

OK. I have a Trek 2000 ('00 model) w/ Matrix rims (no more info there. Bought the bike used) and both are out of true at a certain point. When watching them spin from above, they both rotate about 330 degrees in a "straight" line and then, for about 30 degrees, dive about 2mm towards a brake pad. They don't actually touch, but the typical 3-4mm clearance drops to 1-2. I'm not getting any rubbing, but I figure this is something I should address sooner than later. Now for the tricky part...

I'm a maintenance cheapskate. This stems mainly from the realization that people were fixing things long before what we consider "necessary" existed. I'm not a big fan of trips to the LBS (one, cause it's an hour drive and two because I have yet to see them fix something that I couldn't have done mysef (I'm pretty mechanically inclined)). I'm also not a big fan of ordering a $50 truing stand for what (I hope) is a rare occurrence. Now that griping is out of the way...

Couldn't I just use the brake pads as a visual indicator of where the "wobble" is and adjust the spokes accordingly? Of course, I won't get it perfect, but I'm willing to bet that, with a cautious approach, I could get rid of 90% of the wobble. Additionally, if I don't move the brake pads and orient them based on the 330 degrees of proper alignment, I wouldn't make the wheel worse. Of course, I guess I could turn the wheel into one big oval, but I don't intend on doing anything drastic (and some object placed(steadily) w/in 1mm of the tire would point this out).

So, can it be done? Am I a fool? Or am I someone who realizes that the LBS is just a bunch of guys who are mechanically inclined, know their bikes and (understandably) charge money so they can eat? :)

Though, judging from the post title, I'm NOT someone who can spel :P ;)

PS If I do get into things and decide it's too complicated (maybe one wheel winds up being worse than I thought), what's a reasonable price for a truing at an LBS?

I have no help for you, as I'm new to bikes. But, I live north of Mabank. Small world. :)

I build my wheels on the bike, so it can be done.

For minor work, you should release some pressure from the tire, but if you want to do anything major, it would be easier if you remove the tire completely.

I generally use a pencil or a screwdriver for guidance.

Originally posted by CarlJStoneham
[BCouldn't I just use the brake pads as a visual indicator of where the "wobble" is and adjust the spokes accordingly? [/B] Sure you can......I tweek a spoke or two from time to time. I am too lazy to mount my wheel on the truing stand.

George!

CarlJ -

You need to determine if the spokes around the affected area are roughly the same tension. The easiest thing is to pluck the spokes around the area and listen to the tones. If they are at an equal tension then you will need to loosen the spokes on either side of the spoke being tightened so as not to generate a flat spot on the rim. If the wheel is out of true because just one spoke is loose, then you should be able to tighten just the one spoke.

You don't want to make gross changes, though. I'd do only a quarter turn at most. If you need to adjust the tension of the surrounding spokes, use half this amount on the opposing spokes. (If you tightened spoke "B" a quarter turn, then loosen spokes "A" and "C" an eighth of a turn.

I find it easier to do minor wheel truing on the bike than on my wheel-truing stand. I use a "braille" system, in which I rest my thumb against a brake block and feel the laterally and/or radially high spots as I slowly spin the wheel. It is very easy to do this with a bike stand; lacking one, hanging the bike from an open garage door, using bungie cords, is a decent alternative.

Heck I do it all the time after reading a few repir manuals I have bought. I use a gel type ink pen, makes good marks, to find the high spot and usually have no problem truing them right up. BTW I have the same wheel set.;)

Trueing a wheel on the bike should be part of your std roadside repair armoury.
If I replace a spoke, I true on the bike and can get it good enough to be reliable.

But, I live north of Mabank. Small world

Wow! I live right near Pizza Hut. Are you a "serious" roadie? Furthermore, do you ever happen to ride Harbor Point headed to GBC? Someone told me they saw another guy on a bike riding HP the other day. I work at the High School so I ride into work four days a week, taking the Harbor Point Route...

Sorry, I don't do roads. I live in the trails. I'm up in Little Rock 2 or 3 times a month riding with a buddy of mine.

You know of any good trails around the lake?

You can PM me if you want, I'm sure these guys and gals don't care about hickville, tx. :D