Originally Posted by
TnNoobie
Can I not buy a front rim already put together, only needing a tube and tire? Or can a warped rim be straightened? I'm looking at a used Raleigh Mtn Scout 24" tires for my son and the front rim is warped. Yes, I'm a complete mechanic noobie to anything other than airing my tires and oiling a chain.
In bicycle terminology a "rim" is just that, with no hub, spokes, tire or tube. A "wheel" is the rim, spokes, hub, and axle built together.
The ability to straighten a rim depends on how badly the rim is bent and on whether the general condition of the rim is worth the cost.
It is possible to buy a complete wheel from a bike shop. But if the bike is from Walmart or similar a new wheel may cost more than the bike.