Front Wheel not centered
#26
Or, perhaps the wheel was dished to compensate for bent forks, and flipping the wheel will center it.
But, take 30 seconds to prove to your own satisfaction what is wrong with the bike.
#28
Generally bewildered

Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,038
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From: Eastern PA, USA
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 6.9, 1999 LeMond Zurich, 1978 Schwinn Superior
Agree that if you have a bent fork, dishing the wheel is a dangerous way to "fix" it. But if swapping the wheel orientation changes the wheel centration, doesn't this confirm that you have both a bent fork, AND a wrongly dished wheel?
#29
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 12,560
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From: Middle of da Mitten
Bikes: Trek 7500, RANS V-Rex, Optima Baron, Velokraft NoCom, M-5 Carbon Highracer, Bacchetta Quattro, Catrike Speed
Yes it does. If the dish is correct but the fork is bent, flipping the wheel won't do anything noticeable. If it reverses the problem (moves the wheel to the right side, then dish is the problem. If it centers the wheel in the brake caliper, then it's both problems.
#34
So the frame is probably fine.
And all you need to do is either replace the front wheel or re-dish the front wheel.
You've got to pull it over by quite a bit, but dishing isn't a big deal if you're handy with a spoke wrench. If not, then perhaps it is better left to the professionals.
#36
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 824
If I was buying your bike (you said you were going to sell it) I would want it exactly as is - without YOU trying to straighten the fork. Fietsbob showed a fork jig and that's what is needed, and in the hands of someone with some experience. There's only one shop with a proper fork jig for miles around where I am, and not many guys with the experience to do it properly. I'd rather take the bike with the bent fork and have my guy do it, rather than you start bending it in your garage. Just me.
#38
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2014
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Likes: 824
I thought it was easy to understand. I'd rather buy a bike with a bent fork (priced accordingly of course) than a bike with a fork that has been "straightened" by someone in their garage that doesn't know what they're doing. Just leave it alone and sell it as is. The new owner might want to replace the fork altogether, or have it straightened professionally without you messing with it.
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