Hi folks,
I'm just about to start my first tour on my Galaxy. I've never had any problems with the wheels in 1500miles but should I get them looked at before I go? I won't be carrying much more than I do on my normal commute.
Thanks for your help!
should I get my wheels trued?
Re: should I get my wheels trued?
Are they out of true at the moment?
If so, yes. If not, no!
NB it's not hard to do it yourself. Sheldon, as ever, explains what to do. It is worth knowing in case you hit a pothole while on tour and need to do a running repair.
If so, yes. If not, no!
NB it's not hard to do it yourself. Sheldon, as ever, explains what to do. It is worth knowing in case you hit a pothole while on tour and need to do a running repair.
- simonineaston
- Posts: 8003
- Joined: 9 May 2007, 1:06pm
- Location: ...at a cricket ground
Re: should I get my wheels trued?
Yes - but only if they're out-of-true!
but seriously - are any of the spokes loose? Are the wheels still good-and-round - you can easily tell by lifting the appropriate wheel off the ground and giving it a good spin by hand - any wobble will be immediately apparent by eye. If you have any combination of 1) loose spokes, and 2) visible wheel wobble, I'd get them given the once-over by your favourite LBS.
Machine-built wheels, like you get on all but the best bikes, can sometimes be a wee-bit sloppy from new, whichmight mean the spokes have slacked off in the first few months of ownership. It's fairly easy to tell a loose spoke, by going round the wheel and pulling on them all, one-by-one. Loose ones will be, well... loose!
but seriously - are any of the spokes loose? Are the wheels still good-and-round - you can easily tell by lifting the appropriate wheel off the ground and giving it a good spin by hand - any wobble will be immediately apparent by eye. If you have any combination of 1) loose spokes, and 2) visible wheel wobble, I'd get them given the once-over by your favourite LBS.
Machine-built wheels, like you get on all but the best bikes, can sometimes be a wee-bit sloppy from new, whichmight mean the spokes have slacked off in the first few months of ownership. It's fairly easy to tell a loose spoke, by going round the wheel and pulling on them all, one-by-one. Loose ones will be, well... loose!
S
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
Re: should I get my wheels trued?
aide555 wrote:I'm just about to start my first tour on my Galaxy. I've never had any problems with the wheels in 1500miles but should I get them looked at before I go?
If you're not certain of your wheels, take the bike to your favourite shop and get the wheelbuilder's opinion wether anything needs doing or not. Unless the wheels are miles out, expect to pay £25 tops for re- tensioning and truing. Not too much money for peace of mind, in my opinion. Its a very good idea to learn to maintain your own wheels, but probably not to learn on your touring wheels on the eve of a tour!
Bike fitting D.I.Y. .....http://wheel-easy.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/bike-set-up-2017a.pdf
Tracks in the Dales etc...http://www.flickr.com/photos/52358536@N06/collections/
Tracks in the Dales etc...http://www.flickr.com/photos/52358536@N06/collections/
Re: should I get my wheels trued?
1500 miles isn't far I'm sure your wheels are still fine
Re: should I get my wheels trued?
It won't hurt getting a bike mechanic to check them over, get a couple of spare regular spokes and drivetrain side spokes while your there too.
http://www.bicycletouring101.com/BikeSpokeEmergencyRepairKit.htm
http://www.bicycletouring101.com/BikeSpokeEmergencyRepairKit.htm