Bicycle Mechanics - To wobble, or not to wobble...

Hello, I am a relative newbie and I am a moron. As my name impies, I do not ride downhill, I ricochet. As of yesterday, I did just that on asphalt after my tire got a VERy quick flat that left me flat on my back, My bike is fine, but my question concerns the wobble of the rim/tire. The back one is wobbling, just a little bit. Emphasis on just a little. Should I be concerned, or is not that big of a deal> How much should it wobble before I I take it in to be readjusted? What is the "rule of thumb" when it comes to the point when you have to true the wheels?
Thanks for your help and your patience with an idiot.

I would say if it is enough to rub the brakes take it in, it will only get worse and potentioly permanently damage your rim. Since that means you would ahve to loosen you're brakes so you would have less stopping power which would be dangerous. I retrue mine if they are a 1-2mm off, but that is me personaly I don't likely wobbily wheels.

Thanks for your advice. I have disk brakes though, so does that make a difference?

THere are some real mechanics on here who could advise you alot better then me. Since it is easily noticible I would take it in, if you can not do it yourself. It is not very expensive, and could save you having to buy a new wheel.

It seems I have the same problem as described in this thread.

My rear tire wobbles just a bit.. and it seems it will sometimes touch the brake.

So, overall, you guys would reccomend taking it in?

What will the shop do to fix it?

If it's rubbing you're break it is hurting your performance unless you loosen the brakes, then you would lose breaking power which could be hazardous so take it in.


THe LBS will true the wheel, basicaly tighten the spokes around the wheel to make it round again.

Update: I just went to remove the reflectors off of my tires, and guess what I find!

It seems that the spokes that the reflectors were on are loose. I think this is what contributed to my wobble.

Does this typically happen?

I always knew it reflectors are evil!! :)

Seriously never heard of them causing problems, other then just being plain ugly. If you can easily tell they are loose compare to the rest of the wheel definately take it down to be fixed.

Originally posted by ricochet24601
Should I be concerned, or is not that big of a deal>

Its not that big of a deal. Any little wobble can be fixed.


Originally posted by ricochet24601
How much should it wobble before I I take it in to be readjusted? .

A little wobble wont hurt the wheel, but its best to keep them in true as good as possible.


Originally posted by ricochet24601
What is the "rule of thumb" when it comes to the point when you have to true the wheels?

There really isnt a rule of thumb...this question is quite alot like the one above.


Originally posted by DMulyava
My rear tire wobbles just a bit.. and it seems it will sometimes touch the brake. So, overall, you guys would reccomend taking it in? What will the shop do to fix it?

You dont have the same problem because you have v brakes. Having v brakes and a wheel out of true will cause the rim to rub against the brakes. If rubs the brakes alot then it needs a truing. If it dosent rub alot you can adjust your brakes out a little if possible. I would take it in to get trued, all they do is turn the spoke nipples to move the rim whatever direction it needs to go, it is very easy.


Originally posted by DMulyava
It seems that the spokes that the reflectors were on are loose. I think this is what contributed to my wobble.

Does this typically happen?

It probably did contribute to the wobble, they need to be tensioned, and it does not typically happen. It is quite easy to do, but you could be having a few more problems, so i'd say take it in to a shop.


Originally posted by ricochet24601
Thanks for your help and your patience with an idiot/moron.

Your welcome

I have had the reflector thing happen before, too.

Anything that you jam on or between the spokes can change the spoke tension and thus affect the trueness of the wheel.

If you add reflectors, make sure that they touch or attach to only one spoke or you may see these kinds of wobblies again.

Unless you ride on the street or at night, I would lose them. Heck, even if you do, they don't really guarentee that people willl see you so you might want to ad some reflective tape to your jacket and lose them :)

- Jeff

From a mechanics perspective. Because you have loose spokes and a wobble I would recommend bringing it in. You have two options. First, they can tighten the loose spokes and true it up (little $$) or, secondly, you can have them loosen all of the spokes and re-tension the wheel (more $$). Without seeing it I cant say which is best.

When do I true (align, straighten) my rims? All the time. I'm a little anal about it so I'm constantly checking and touching them up. A good rule of thumb is to adjust your brakes so theres about the space of a nickel between the brakes and the rim. when your rim rubs the brakes its time to do something.

Regardless of having disk brakes you should have it adressed. If your off-roading it with loose spokes the possibilty of taco-ing (collapsing) your will is greatly increased. That wobble may cause your entire bike to wobble if you go a hill really fast. FWIW I hit 40 MPH going downhill on my MTB a few weeks ago.