Old 07-01-10 | 09:08 AM
  #8  
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bautieri
Downtown Spanky Brown
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,108
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From: Enola, Pennsyltucky

Bikes: Motobecane Phantom Cross Pro Kona Lana'I

*Overly simplistic and most likly to make your mechanic's head spin...but works very well*

It depends how bad your wobble is. What I do is flip the bike upside down so it is resting on it's seat and handle bars. Then, I have a seat on the ground right in front of it so it is at eye level. Or set the bike on a bench so it is eye level while standing. pull some slack out of your brake cable to the pads are drawn fairly close to the rim, like 2mm of clearance. Spin the tire, pay attention to where it rubs. Once you find a spot that rubs, look at the spokes. Notice how each one comes from either side of the hub. At the spot of the rub, locate the three closest spokes (sometimes more depending on your spoke count). Loosen the spoke that comes from the side the rim is bent towards by a 1/2 turn. Next, tighten the two spokes that come from side the rim needs pulled towards a 1/4 turn at a time. What you are doing is giving the rim a little slack, then pulling it up on the opposite side. Repeat as required. It really isn't too hard, all you need is your bicycle and a 6 dollar spoke wrench (for a fancy one), or use the one that came on your multi tool. Remember to re-adjust your brakes when you're done. This does not take spoke tension into account. For minor wobbles you don't really need to worry about it. Large wobbles and spoke replacement does, for that you need a tentionometer...or take it to the shop and pay 10-15 bucks.

Just takes some practice, the worst you will do is dink it up and have to take it to the LBS anyways. Can't hurt to try it on your own.
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