I had an accident. Bent up front wheel. Can it be fixed?
10-25-22, 11:57 AM
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I had an accident. Bent up front wheel. Can it be fixed?
After the wheel has been bent, some of the spokes push inwards toward the rim and are a bit loose, and others are a bit a little bit tighter, can I remove the spokes, restore the rims shape, and rebuild the wheel? I want to do this to preserve the originality of the components of my bike. P. S. Rim is a bit dirty, but still looks good if cleaned and feels solid, it's an Araya 27 inch Aluminum perhaps, but not steel
10-25-22, 12:08 PM
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I'd say it's possible to be fixed, but no likely. Sometimes, when a wheel "pretzels" like that, it has just settled into a secondary stable position and can be knocked back into relative "true" by pressing on the high spots. But it's more likely that the rim has taken a permanent "set" and no amount of tweaking the spoke tension will help. Take it to a bike shop and hope for the best, but budget for the worst (replacement wheel or rim).
10-25-22, 12:19 PM
#3
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That rim is pretty bad and I would look for a suitable replacement. 27 inch rims are not used much so not common but if you do find a used one it will be cheap.
Having said that, I have fixed numerous wheels with similar damage by using a couple 2x4 blocks and bending by standing/jumping on the rim or smashing with a rubber mallet. Use minimal force until you have got a feel for how easily the rim bends. You can leave the spokes in but loosen them all a bit. Look at the wheel and contemplate where it has bent and then reverse it. This is difficult technique to explain and something I developed over time -not something most shops would do.
Try to get the rim as straight as possible before putting it in the truing stand.
You may have a good mechanic in your area who would give it a shot, but again, that is pretty bad!
Having said that, I have fixed numerous wheels with similar damage by using a couple 2x4 blocks and bending by standing/jumping on the rim or smashing with a rubber mallet. Use minimal force until you have got a feel for how easily the rim bends. You can leave the spokes in but loosen them all a bit. Look at the wheel and contemplate where it has bent and then reverse it. This is difficult technique to explain and something I developed over time -not something most shops would do.
Try to get the rim as straight as possible before putting it in the truing stand.
You may have a good mechanic in your area who would give it a shot, but again, that is pretty bad!
10-25-22, 12:21 PM
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Not without replacing the rim and spokes.
Or you could buy a new wheel.
Or you could buy a new wheel.
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10-25-22, 12:23 PM
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I'd back off all the nipples until 1 thread is showing.
IF the rim mostly resumes its correct shape, you have a good chance of fixing.
IF you have "kinks", then nope. You might be able to make it "usable", but it won't be "right".
IF the rim mostly resumes its correct shape, you have a good chance of fixing.
IF you have "kinks", then nope. You might be able to make it "usable", but it won't be "right".
10-25-22, 12:27 PM
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Agree with above. I would give it a chance.
My approach would be to disassemble the wheel to determine if the rim is really bent to that shape. then to try to straighten it out checking on marble counter or glass coffee table.
Sometimes it is just to bent and cannot be "flatten" it out. At that point I would look for a rim as an opportunity to learn to build a wheel.
Thant's just me and a few others.
My approach would be to disassemble the wheel to determine if the rim is really bent to that shape. then to try to straighten it out checking on marble counter or glass coffee table.
Sometimes it is just to bent and cannot be "flatten" it out. At that point I would look for a rim as an opportunity to learn to build a wheel.
Thant's just me and a few others.
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10-25-22, 12:27 PM
#7
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I was once able to get a wheel like that to reasonably true by removing all spokes and bending the rim over the edge of a table to more or less straight. Never dared to install and ride it though.
10-25-22, 12:42 PM
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Sorry, that rim is toast.
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10-25-22, 12:54 PM
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wow, can I get some rice & beans w/ that taco?
just kidding, good luck! glad you are OK
just kidding, good luck! glad you are OK
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10-25-22, 01:38 PM
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How I would fix that.
https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bop...548897138.html
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...e-0d3500a0c223
https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bop...548897138.html
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...e-0d3500a0c223
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10-25-22, 01:45 PM
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Lie the wheel in the gutter so the bent bit is downward resting on the kerb, apply downward pressure to both sides of the rim - if you're lucky increasing pressure (possibly as much as standing on the rim with all your weight) will reach a point where the wheel springs back into some approximation of the proper shape. You'll likely then need to remove some remaining wobble by adjusting spoke tension. This is a hack, I've had it work on one of my (factory built) wheels and continued to use it, but wheels fixed like this may be weakened and prone to further failure which could throw you under a truck. Just saying ...
10-25-22, 02:43 PM
#12
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As others have said…getting back to good working condition is a crapshoot. But if you’re going to try it, I would completely un-lace it, and try to get the rim as flat as possible. Then re-lace it (probably with new spokes), tension, and true. It might work.
Dan
Dan
10-25-22, 03:04 PM
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new spokes and nipples alone would be 40 bucks plus
you can get a whole new wheel set for $150 https://www.velomine.com/index.php?m...oducts_id=2529
or if there is a bike co-op close you can probably find a wheel
or craigslist here is a local example araya wheelset $80 https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bop/7541055799.html
you can get a whole new wheel set for $150 https://www.velomine.com/index.php?m...oducts_id=2529
or if there is a bike co-op close you can probably find a wheel
or craigslist here is a local example araya wheelset $80 https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bop/7541055799.html
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10-25-22, 04:01 PM
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I don't think that ancient rim can be safely and reliably fixed without a lot of time and money thrown at it that might end up with no luck. I would just get a new wheel and take the loss on this one and be glad you are OK.
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10-25-22, 04:14 PM
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Actually, that is what I would do in an effort to save the rim. I'd look carefully at the rim sidewalls after the straightening effort to make sure there were no significant dents or kinks. If the rim was then was pretty good and smooth, I would not hesitate to rebuild it. I'm told that back in the day this kind of thing was common because parts were so hard to come by (1950s and 60s).
10-25-22, 04:14 PM
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new spokes and nipples alone would be 40 bucks plus
you can get a whole new wheel set for $150 https://www.velomine.com/index.php?m...oducts_id=2529
you can get a whole new wheel set for $150 https://www.velomine.com/index.php?m...oducts_id=2529
10-25-22, 04:15 PM
#17
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If you want to give it a shot, de-tension the spokes until they are completely loose. You don't have to remove all the spokes completely.
See how the rim ends up. If it is not too bad, bend it back straight as best as you can, and then tension the wheel back up. You may be able to achieve acceptable results.
See how the rim ends up. If it is not too bad, bend it back straight as best as you can, and then tension the wheel back up. You may be able to achieve acceptable results.
10-25-22, 06:01 PM
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my last build from them, they did a few things that might not be obvious because of experience they had building with the hub/rim combo i was using
YMMV
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10-25-22, 06:35 PM
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10-25-22, 06:43 PM
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Not my experience in terms of build quality, IMHO the note to check the true is real world realistic, as not amount of stress relief is equal to riding. every new wheel i have ridden whether new bike, custom build, factory build or my build has certainly pinged on the first ride.
my last build from them, they did a few things that might not be obvious because of experience they had building with the hub/rim combo i was using
YMMV
my last build from them, they did a few things that might not be obvious because of experience they had building with the hub/rim combo i was using
YMMV
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10-26-22, 06:40 AM
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Rear wheel maybe but not a vintage front wheel like that, nothing I would mess with. I preach to the kids the not obvious seriousness of problems with front wheels, tires, skewers, fork should a chukhole suddenly appear at speed as compared to a rear failure of one of these. In my 68 years on a bike I have had blowouts front and rear and there is no comparison in the outcomes.
10-26-22, 07:08 AM
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You gotta at least try to fix it. I repaired a small 20" vintage chromed steel bmx wheel that was worse than that (to keep the bike original). It took me a while and a few Facetime calls to a faraway friend/expert bike mechanic to fix it, but I did it. It was an adventure.
10-26-22, 11:20 AM
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10-26-22, 11:37 AM
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If you have not seen this vid in youtube then ya need to before ya take on this job. Go to 4:07 cause he likes to talk allot... Yes... The wheel can be saved...
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxUTw4d_m...Yu3H8jX_5SE2Ks
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxUTw4d_m...Yu3H8jX_5SE2Ks
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No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)Last edited by zandoval; 10-26-22 at 12:00 PM.