Bicycle Mechanics - wheel truing stand.

need a recommendation on wheel truing stands. I dont want to spend over 150 bucks. I would like a stand that has guides on both sides, not just one side.

need a recommendation on wheel truing stands. I dont want to spend over 150 bucks. I would like a stand that has guides on both sides, not just one side.

This is just opinion, but save your dough. You already have a workable stand that you ride around on all the time. Use the frame and fork of your bike as a truing stand, the brake shoes are good guides for wobble (both sides as you requested). and for radial you can improvise a guide with a pencil and a couple of rubber bands, or something similar.

If/when you reach the point that you're going to get good value out of a stand, then you can shop for a decent one, expecting to spend about $200.00. The other alternative to using your bike as a stand is to see if there's a local bike co-op in your area. Their stands come with a very helpful feature -- free or cheap advice.

Are you going to build wheels or just true them?

For building my first wheelset this one:
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_527473_-1___

worked pretty well for me and Nashbar has a 20% off coupon for today and tomorrow so you could get it for ~$80. Maybe not as precise as the Park stand with all the dials and gauges, but it got things very round for me.

I know a lot of people do use their bike (or a spare fork mounted in a bench vise), but I really wanted a dedicated stand and didn't have the cash for the Park.

I have an old Minoura and it does the job. I would also get a wheel dishing tool. http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_184252_-1___202575

Here is my fancy truing stand and wheel building tools:

260947I

Not shown is my 15 dollar Harbor Freight digital calipers. I actually prefer the park triangle spoke wrench over dedicated wrenches. I dunno why, I just do.

I keep meaning to upgrade my stand with a pair of clothespins for caliper sensors but I forget to. So I just use my thumb as a guide. I made it from a crashed Nishiki hi-ten frame.

It does both front and rear wheels.

I can get a wheel trued to under near perfect. I just get bored and call it good instead of going for absolute perfection.

I have built about 11 wheels on it so far. The last few wheels I built on it from scratch, I brought into my coop to do final touch-ups on and they need nearly nothing. I can even get dish pretty danged close, I just flip the wheel around in my stand and try to get both sides equidistant from the sides of the tubes.

I check spoke tension with my fingers and feel. I can get that pretty close.

Building wheels is all about feel and knowing that when you move a nipple in one spot, the rim will move in a wave fashion near it.

I'm still a big newbie but enjoy building wheels.

Here is my fancy truing stand and wheel building tools:

You forgot to mention the sophisticated collapsing feature, slide the cross piece out ogf the BB shell, and is slides under your bed for storage.

I actually came back to this thread a second time to mention something like Bobotech recommended. One of the eHow sites on the intertubes has directions on building a truing stand using an old fork.

Here is mine as found

http://www.mmaygraphics.com/Transfer3/TS1.jpg

spread the fork for rear then use spacers for a front

http://www.mmaygraphics.com/Transfer3/TS2.jpg

lock the caliper.
This just happend to be the right height for sitting on the couch & tweaking wheels.


http://www.mmaygraphics.com/Transfer3/TS3.jpg

if you want a factory made truing stand you can find some on ebay, I've been seeing the Park TS-2's going for about $150, but there are other brands there for a lot less money.

I have the Spin Doctor II stand, paid $70. Not as nice as those from Park and certain others, but it works well for me.

I also would recommend the Minoura Pro Truing Stand for basic wheel truing. I have not built any wheels with it but have trued wheels without any problem. It also folds away for storage. Here is the link to the Minoura page for information

http://www.minourausa.com/english/tool-e/truepro2-e.html

Edit: here is the link to the current model

http://www.minourausa.com/english/tool-e/ft1-e.html

I also would recommend the Minoura Pro Truing Stand for basic wheel truing. I have not built any wheels with it but have trued wheels without any problem. It also folds away for storage. Here is the link to the Minoura page for information

http://www.minourausa.com/english/tool-e/truepro2-e.html

Edit: here is the link to the current model

http://www.minourausa.com/english/tool-e/ft1-e.html

That looks like a pretty nice unit.

http://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Deluxe-Wheel-Truing-Stand/dp/B000AO7GDK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1342052391&sr=8-5&keywords=wheel+truing+stand

I use this one. It works just fine for me for wheel truing and building.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41jA5NbV9zL._SS500_.jpg

I just picked up a park pro 2.2 on craigslist for $75 a couple weekends ago, they're out there.