How untrue is too untrue?
 

I was cleaning up my bike yesterday/this morning, and after I had removed the wheels and cleaned them as thoroughly as I can in my bathtub, I noticed that my front wheel at least has about 1 to 2 milimeters of runout, causing it to rub against the brake pads if I set them to be really close together. (For a really short brake handle throw)

Is there a tolerable amount un-trueness? The bike in question is a 2003 Diamondback Sorrento, with Weinmann ZAC 19 double wall wheels, which are the stock wheels so far as I know. The riding I do is over paved terrain exclusively, and unfortunately, I have to ride over curbs every once in a while, which I expect is what caused the problem. I guess what I'm asking for here is some advice as to how bad the runout can be before it becomes a serious issue. Is it OK to keep riding it like that for a while, or should I go have the wheels retrued before I ride it again?

As you may have guessed, I'm a n00b. Thanks in advance. :)

It depends on the type of riding and bike. 1-2mm isn't bad on anything. If you are rubbing with 1 - 2 mm you have your brake pads REALLY close. Remember that wheels do flex a little while sprinting and under hard cornering. I keep my road bike as close to zero as possible, my MTB gets a little more slack. If you can see it, it is probably a little worse than 1 or 2.

Get a spoke wrench and tweak a little. A wheel that only needs one or two spokes tweaked 1/4 of a turn is the best place to learn.

I concur with Avalanche. For a minor true, hang the bike from a bungie cord so that one wheel is off the ground, then turn the wheel slowly, watching or feeling for high spots. Use either the brake pads or a thumb resting on one of them as a guide. Quarter-turn adjustments are indeed appropriate. Work slowly, take your time, and pay attention to what you are doing, and you should be able to get a good result if the rim is only a bit out of true. You can leave the tyre mounted on the rim for a lateral adjustment, but you really should remove it for an optimal radial adjustment.

If you're only 1 to 2mm out of true, make your adjustments in 1/8 turn increments. Honestly, I wouldn't bet on an inexperienced mechanic getting those Zac 19 rims any closer than that because they're on the flexy side.

How untrue is too untrue?..... Well, that depends on how picky you are. If a couple of mm's bug you, then tweek a few spokes.

I just resurrected a similar rim that was 1-2" out of true today! You're fine but watch it in case it gets worse.

i personally couldnt tolerate anything more than a MM