Mountain Biking - Bent a wheel. Buy new or replace?

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View Full Version : Bent a wheel. Buy new or replace?

robvas
08-16-09, 10:11 AM
Somehow I bent the rear wheel on my Gary Fisher X-Caliber, I don't even have 150 miles on it. How the hell that happened, I don't know. Haven't taken it off anything over 1 foot tall. I'm about ready to throw this bike to the curb. The only thing I can't complain about are the frame and fork.

Anyway, do I even bother having the bike shop straighten it out? I think they want $50 to do this. Should I just get another Bontrager wheel? I'm sure they'll charge me a pretty penny for it. OR should I just buy some wheels online for $200-$300 and be done with it? Are those going to be significantly better than the ones that came with the bike?

helmut
08-16-09, 11:31 AM
Your LBS shouldn't need $50 to true a rim. When I bent a rim, it looked like Trogdor (http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail58.html) and they only charged $15. Unless they're giving you a new rim, $50 is way high. Go somewhere else.

That's a sweet bike BTW.
robvas
08-16-09, 12:48 PM
Whew, it was only $10 I'm not sure where I got $50 from. Dropped it off today.

jjbod1
08-17-09, 12:16 AM
What other problems are you having with the bike? You stated you only like the frame and fork. When you bought it was it not set up right? Just as "helmut" said, that really is a nice rig.
Commodus
08-17-09, 12:23 AM
New bike? Sometimes new wheels need to have the spokes retensioned after a short while. If this isn't done, the strength of the wheel can be compromised.

Your bike shop should have advised you on this and suggested an appropriate interval to have this and a few other things checked, like cable adjustments, headset adjustments, BB/crank fasteners, etc. If you didn't buy it new, ignore me...
victim
08-17-09, 05:06 AM
It's a good thing to learn how to do yourself too, if you've got the time.