Hello, this is ICAN. "My handlebars wobble when I ride my bike." "My road wheel is warped... Should I fix it myself or send it in for repair?" Today, we'll answer these questions. The main reasons for a warped road wheel are either that the spokes have reached the end of their life or daily wear and tear. So, this time, we'll delve into the "causes of warped road wheels" and show you how to "repair your wheel yourself." Even if you don't know much about road wheels, don't worry, we'll explain the wheel components in an easy-to-understand way. We'll also explain approximately how much it costs to have a wheel repaired, so please use it as a reference.

Causes of Warped Road Bike Wheels

There are two main reasons why wheels warp. In most cases, these two are the culprits: "spokes" and "daily wear and tear." Let's explain them in order.

Cause of Warped Wheel ①: Mostly Due to Spokes

The first reason for a warped wheel is the "spokes." Wheels are designed with three main components: the "hub," "spokes," and "rim." The hub refers to the axle in the center of the wheel. The rim refers to the outer ring of the hub. And the spokes connect the hub and the rim. In short, spokes are an important part of a wheel. Spokes are thin and fragile, so it's common for them to get bent. When descending high steps or riding on rough terrain like mountain biking, spokes can break. Carrying heavy loads while cycling can also cause spokes to break.

Cause of Warped Wheel ①: Daily Wear and Tear

Some might wonder why, if the main cause of warped wheels is spokes, they aren't made from a single piece of metal. However, wheels designed with spokes made of thin metal are actually stronger than a single piece of metal. This is because the tension value that spokes exert on a wheel is said to be at least 50 kilograms, or even twice that. Also, if a wheel is supported by 24 or 30 spokes, the total weight supported is said to be 1 ton. Therefore, if you try to support a wheel with a single piece, twice that force would be concentrated on that one piece. From these facts, it becomes clear that wheels designed with spokes have higher durability and performance. Furthermore, when riding a bicycle, the weight of the rider is added to the lower spokes, and the way you pedal can also cause the wheel to warp, which can be considered daily wear and tear.

Supplement: The phenomenon of a warped wheel is also called "run-out"

By the way, the phenomenon of a warped wheel is also called "run-out," and whether it's "vertical run-out" or "lateral run-out" depends on the direction of the run-out (the direction of the warp). If the wheel is warped when viewed from the front of the bicycle, it's vertical run-out, and if it's warped when viewed from the side of the bicycle, it's lateral run-out. And the act of eliminating run-out by adjusting the tension of the spokes is called "truing."

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If your wheel is warped due to heavy loads, "true it"

Run-out is the phenomenon of a warped wheel. If the wheel is warped when viewed from the front of the bicycle, it's called vertical run-out, and if it's warped when viewed from the side of the bicycle, it's called lateral run-out. Here, we'll explain the procedure for truing.

Tools needed for truing

The tools needed to true a wheel are a "spoke wrench (nipple wrench)" and a "truing stand." A truing stand is a tool that allows you to mount the wheel and precisely measure the rim's run-out. You will continue to adjust the wheel until the run-out is eliminated using this tool. Now, let's explain the truing procedure in detail. We've broken down the steps so that even first-timers can confidently adjust their wheels.

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Truing Procedure

There are a total of 7 steps to truing.
① Locate the warped part of the rim
The first thing to do is to "accurately" find the part of the rim that is warped. To do this, turn your bicycle upside down. The part that touches the truing stand is where the wheel is warped. Even if you find the warped part, it's a good idea to check the surrounding area as well.

② Remove the bent spoke
Once you've identified the exact location of the run-out, use a nipple tool to remove the spoke, then turn the bike upright.

③ Apply oil

Now, before replacing the spoke, apply oil to the spoke's threads or the nipple. This will make tightening later easier. It might be better to remove the wheel from the truing stand when applying oil. If you're concerned about loose spokes, you might want to apply Loctite or spoke prep.

④ Tension the spoke at the warped section
Now it's time to tension the spoke. Be careful with the spoke crossing here. If you get the crossing position wrong, the wheel's balance will be off, so double-check it.

⑥ Tighten the nipple
Now, tighten the nipple. The trick is to hand-tighten it part of the way, then use a nipple wrench for ease.

⑥ Tension the surrounding spokes as well
Next, adjust the spokes adjacent to the part you just adjusted. It's like adjusting the other spokes as well. Also, if the spokes warped due to daily wear and tear, replace all spokes. This is because if they warped due to daily wear and tear, it's highly likely that other spokes will also warp. The trick for surrounding nipples is to adjust them only slightly, by 1/8th of a turn.

⑦ Fine-tune with a truing stand
Finally, use the truing stand to check if the spokes have been properly adjusted. If they are, it's okay, but if they haven't been fully adjusted, you might want to tighten the opposite side of the warped spoke.

Note: In the case of vertical runout
For vertical runout, there's no need to worry if it's slightly warped, but if the runout exceeds 2mm, it should be adjusted. Here, too, "tighten" the spokes instead of loosening them.

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[Sad news] It's a bit difficult to repair wheel warping yourself.

I've introduced methods for dealing with wheel warping so far, but I actually think it's a bit tough for amateurs to repair. This is because professional bicycle repairers adjust all spokes to perfect balance, eliminate wobbling down to the millimeter, ensure a perfectly true circular shape centered on the hub, and achieve the same riding feel as before. While achieving the same riding feel might not be a problem, adjusting spokes to perfect balance is very important for safety. That said, repairs can be quite expensive, so you might want to try repairing it yourself.

Cost of wheel warp repair at a bike shop
Replacing spokes costs about 1200 yen per spoke, and 100 yen is added for each additional spoke after the first. Also, if the wheel needs to be removed from the bike or frame, it costs 2500 yen or more. However, if a spoke breaks due to an accident, it's recommended to replace other spokes. If it breaks from normal riding, it means the spoke has reached the end of its life. If it breaks in an accident, replacing only that part should be fine. If the nipple is warped instead of the spoke, truing is performed. The average cost for ordinary bicycles like city bikes, road bikes, and cross bikes is 5000 yen and up, and for mountain bikes, it's 6000 yen and up (for front and rear wheels). As you can see, repairing a warped wheel usually costs over 1000 yen, so it's advisable to repair it yourself. This is your chance to improve your skills, so fight for it!

 

Recommended Popular Road Wheels

Finally, we will introduce the wheels sold by our company. If the spokes have reached the end of their life, it is advisable to replace all spokes, but that is very troublesome. So, why not just replace the wheels altogether?

【Spanish Spokes】Aero Road Wheels "DT AERO 35" ¥108,800

The Aero 35 wheelset uses "Sapim CX-Ray spokes." Sapim (Spanish) spokes are industry-leading and combine lightweight with rigidity, making these the only choice if you're replacing your wheels. This aero wheel is designed for climbing and features the world's most famous DT Swiss hubs. Recommended for those who absolutely don't want to make a mistake when choosing wheels.

【Ultralight】Carbon Road Wheels "AERO 40" ¥76,670

If you're looking for an ultralight wheel, the "AERO 40" is highly recommended. With a total weight of 286g, this wheel is unheard of at this price point. The Aero series rims combine T700 and T800 carbon materials, making them carbon wheels. Furthermore, they use CX-Ray series spokes, which have achieved the best results ever in spoke fatigue tests. Combining lightweight with tremendous strength, these wheels are even suitable for road races. CX-Ray spokes are used by top-class cyclists and triathletes worldwide, so they come highly recommended.

 

【Best Value for Money】Carbon Road Wheel "FL50" ¥67,695

The name of this FL series wheel comes from "Fast and Light," which refers to the most important characteristics for road bike wheels: "fast" and "light." This wheel is also equipped with affordable, high-quality "Novatec hubs" and "Sapim CX RAY straight-pull spokes." This improves rigidity and durability, making acceleration easy for climbing and other activities. It's a beginner-friendly entry-level model.

Repairing Warped Wheels Yourself: Summary

Above were the causes of warped wheels and how to repair them yourself. Most of the time, a warped or broken wheel is due to daily wear and tear or the spokes reaching the end of their life, but since repairs typically cost over 1000 yen, it's recommended to repair the wheel yourself.

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