So I am new into cycling and bought a basemodel 2015 I believe, Specialized Allez E5 off Craigslist. I got a great deal because the rear wheel is out of true. Bike rides alright but you can tell that the wheel is not true. It is not rubbing on the brake or frame but to my lay opinion I'm not sure that it can be salvaged. It is a Axis Classic 622x16. I would like to buy something fairly reasonable as this is a base model road bike and just want to get out and enjoy it.

Any advice would be great!

Thanks in advance!!

Where are you located? Craigslist invariably has some decent 700c wheels available at reasonable prices because that's where people sell their stock wheels when they upgrade to high end wheel sets. In most markets, you can find a perfectly good 2nd hand rear wheel for $25 to $50. I just bought a good older wheelset (Shimano tricolor hubs, Campagnolo Omega rims) - front and rear, with a nearly new 8 speed cassette and two nearly brand new good tires, for a total of $60 for the two wheels, with cassette and rubber.

Also, is your current bike 9 speed, 10 speed, or 11 speed in the back? 8, 9 and 10 speed are compatible with each other, whereas most 11 speed is not, and good used 11 speed wheels are much harder to find at low prices than 10 speed or less wheels are.

Also, does your bike have rim brakes, or disc brakes? Disc brake compatible wheels will also be harder to find a good used cheap one.

Thanks for your reply! 8 speed, and rim brakes. That's a great idea, back to the source!

I'm in Kansas City.

Why not go to your LBS to see if the wheel can be trued?

A trip to the bike shop and $15 or $20

might be all you need to get the wheel trued.

I actually have a spare used rear wheel that I'd sell cheap (like $25 plus shipping - for just the wheel, no cassette, no rubber) but the problem is, shipping costs for wheels are just too damn high - it would probably be another $25-30 just in shipping costs - which is why you'd be better off trying to source one locally via CL. But if you can't find anything locally for less than $50-60, we could work something out.

I agree though with the two posts above, which is, before you buy a new wheel, see if your local bike shop can true up the one you have, that's typically about a $20 expenditure.

Thank you all for your help, I think I will try and take it in first as the spokes around the area where the rim goes out of true do seem a little loose.

I will let you know, thank you!

Best thing to do is ask at your bike shop. I got a Mavic Open Pro on my bike which had a similar issue and it's been good. A decent prebuilt wheel should be around $100.

Not all wheels are compatible with your bike either. It shouldn't be a problem to find an 8 speed wheel, but many modern wheels are not compatible with 8 speeds.

Switching the rear wheel is also significantly more technical work than switching the front. In addition to changing the tire and tube, you also have to move the rear cassette (which involves tools) and adjust the derailler.

These.