Originally Posted by
z415
Did you skid and then hit something? Or did the countersteer leave an "impression" on your wheel?
I would say you'd need to bend the rim back into shape and probably *better* if you did it after you uninstall the whole thing, including the spokes. You can do it just as is - I remember someone saying they just worked it against a tree. It will not be as good as before - changing spokes and/or the rim would be *best* - hub is probably barely affected so that is fine though I would check the flange/spoke holes to damage.
I would think using the same spokes would make it impossible for both a radial true and a lateral true and have proper/consistent spoke tension. It'll be safe to ride without swapping out anything, but in my experience, it requires truing more often than a good wheel.
Also, from what I read around here, aren't you a relatively experienced bike mechanic? I've only been dealing with bikes for a grand total of 3 years. If you think otherwise than what I said, you're probably more likely to be right.
Good luck.
Hah! I like your bending it against a tree idea. That might not be so crazy considering that it got bent in the first place by unsophisticated means (skidding into a turn on grass and then hitting pavement).
Yes, I could take the whole thing apart and rebuild the wheel, but well.... alas, that is just more than I want to do - especially with the rear wheel and trying to figure out dish, etc. This is an old 27" wheel - If I can't fix it in some practical way, I will bone it out for the spare spokes and bearings.
My friend Johnny used to be able to fix wheels like this with a wooden mallet and an old bentwood chair. Alas, Johnny is gone and it is the one magic trick he did not pass on to me before he died.
So, I am looking for some knowledge here...