Bicycle Mechanics - Truing my Shimano Dura-Ace WH-7801-SL

How do I true this wheel? I had an entry level set from my Trek 1000 I learned and it was pretty simple with one of those multiple size truing keys.

I thought I read this wheel requires two special tools. I bought this wheelset like half a year ago or more off E-bay and he said he didn't get any tools with the set. Something hit my spokes yesterday hard and now there's a 2-3mm hop on 1/6th section of the rim.

Also, quick question when you're truing a wheel how do you know which way to pull the rim to make it perfectly true again? For this little hop it's obvious which way I need to pull because the other 5/6 are probably where the rim is supposed to be and I can pull the hop back in alignment with a couple of turns .. if I knew how

Is it really worth risking messing up a nice set of wheels? For a local shop to put it back into shape would be pretty cheap. I'd guess 10-20 bucks.

Do you have a truing stand? You can do it without but..........

Buy a cheap wheel off ebay and practice on it...... This is a great way to learn.

Is it really worth risking messing up a nice set of wheels? For a local shop to put it back into shape would be pretty cheap. I'd guess 10-20 bucks.

Do you have a truing stand? You can do it without but..........

Buy a cheap wheel off ebay and practice on it...... This is a great way to learn.

I have a truing stand. Spin Doctor one... I think like 40-60 bucks off performance. The same one WaterRockets uses and I trust him. I did mention I practiced on the wheelset that came on my Trek 1000.. bontrager select set.. cheap.

Not sure how I would mess it up to fix this? I'm not going to try and retension the whole set. I just want to be able to stand or climb without my rear brake quick release up because of this hop.

I will probably take it to a shop for a quick fix if the tools to do it are not worth it depending on the life of this wheelset. But these dura-ace hubs should last a long time so it might be worth investing the time and knowledge.

The only thing different that I can tell is the nipples are at the hub and not at the rim so you have to think backwards while truing and it requires different tools.

Any helps please :) ?

Q: What tool would most bike-shops love to sell, or give, you?

A: A spoke-wrench.


Q: What is the most expensive tool that is used on a bicycle?

A: (you guessed it) A spoke-wrench.

But seriously - don't 'learn' to true wheels on an expensive wheelset. The idea of a cheap wheel off eBay is a good one. Or you could probably scrounge one from a friend's garage or such.

Wow no one reads my whole post? I practiced on a bontrager select wheelset cheap cheapo ! I have Zinn's Art of Road Bike Maintenance as well. It's not hard to line it up on the truing stand and turn the nipples if someone pointed me in the direction of the tools (online, cheaper than bike shop) or what's required for these dura-ace hubs.

I guess all I was trying to say Crydee was that I will true my Aksiums but I promised myself I would stay away from touching the Williams... Saving me from myself.

My reading comprehension has at times been lacking though. Sorry about that.

Sawwy...it's gettin' late here in Podunk. They've already rolled-up the sidewalk and put the traffic-light back in the barn for the night.

However my advice stands for anyone using the search-engine and then stumbles into this thread.

I tried searching google and here about this wheelset I figured it would be answered before. Maybe I will PM waterrockets he is always super helpful and very broad knowledge of wheels.

So you need a spoke-wrench, yes? First you need to find the size of the spoke-nipples on the wheel in question. I am going to guess they are DT Double-Butted 14-15-14 gauge. Or Sapim spokes. So if you measure them and they are 3.23mm - they have a European pedigree. My favorite spoke-wrench for working on these is here:

http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=16&item=SW-0

Shop around to see which spoke-wrench you think will be most comfortable and maneuverable to you. They are all (except DT) pretty cheap, so there is financial room to not hit the nail on the head your first time out of the gate.

I will assume you have already read through this, but for anyone who hasn't:

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=81

And this video is very well done:

http://bicycletutor.com/wheel-truing/

And where would we be without Sheldon Brown - in Spirit -

http://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

And.....

Good Luck. Take your time.

The way the nipple are next to the hub doesn't allow that type of spoke wrench I believe and it wouldn't fit my multi that reads up to 3.5. I just thought to check shimano's website and it looks like I need 16 and 17 from this tech doc http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techdocs/content/cycle/EV/actionsports/WH/EV-WH-7801-F-2515_v1_m56577569830608637.pdf

Crydee, the pic at the bottom here
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=81
Seems to show that tool in use. Looks like a regular spoke wrench wont fit in the area there you have to work with, and you have to hold the spoke with another tool. The site said that they tighten like a regular wheel does tho.

yah all I need is park tool sw-14, woot problem solved!