Buckled wheel, fix or replace?

mcguiver

Hi Folks,

Have a basic cheapo mountain bike, gets me from a-b, and a bit of off road fun when its raining.

Rear wheel has got a bad buckle recently, does anyone bother fixing a buckle anymore, or would I be better off just replacing? (I remember back in the day replacing rims on my racer...hours of tweaking spokes!!!)

Next question of course is how much for a basic wheel (26inch... I think)?

blorg

Depends on how bad the buckle is- if it is beyond the point of truing, e.g. would need a new rim, then for a cheaper wheel replacing would generally make the most sense. Expensive wheels where the hub is actually worth something rim replacement can be worthwhile. I'd hazard a guess of €40-50 for a cheap 26" wheel although you may well pick up something cheaper second hand. Rears are more expensive than front unfortunately.

cunnins4

Beware of cheap MTB wheels. I had my rear nicked from college last year, got a "cheap, get me through 'til I can afford better" jobbie and it has given me nothing but trouble. Spokes breaking, SH1TE bearings, etc... and it weighed a tonne. All sorted now, but what a piece of crap it was. Set me back €40. I replaced the crap one with a custom built one for €60 from chainreactionsycles.com. Think it was a deore hub with the standard spokes and cheap enough rim. Came 3 days later by courier and was PERFECT.

Try to fix it as you've obviously good experience at it, but avoid cheap wheels if you decide to replace it.





someone crashed into the bike while it was locked up and ruined that wheel about a month later....:mad::( I've had bad luck with wheels recently!

blorg

Good point there from cunnins4, even more so if you actually off-road with the thing, get something solid.

mcguiver

my off roadin is canal paths, and the odd day up handy mountain trails.

This is a basic raleigh mountain bike.

I cycle 20-30 hours a week on my work one, so my home one doesn't get much money thrown at it!!

niceonetom

Shouldn't you be able to fix it with the aid of a hairpin, a rubber band and a box of matches OP?

Sorry, had to be done.

mcguiver

funny you sho say that... I actually have the cyclists swiss army knife, complete with tyre levers etc.

doozerie

mcguiver wrote: »

Rear wheel has got a bad buckle recently, does anyone bother fixing a buckle anymore, or would I be better off just replacing? (I remember back in the day replacing rims on my racer...hours of tweaking spokes!!!)

I'd suggest trying to fix the buckle. In the best case, you postpone having to buy a new wheel and get some wheel adjustment practice in. In the worst case, you are no worse off and have to buy a new wheel anyway, but you've still managed to get some wheel repair practice in. Being able to tackle buckles is a very useful, and money saving, skill to develop and for no more than the cost of a decent spoke key (about 8 or 9 euro for a Park Tool one, which I find great to use).

mcguiver

I must be just gettin lazy in my old age, back in the pre celtic tiger teenage days I would try to fix any bike part.... if only I still had my luminous green yellow and orange MBK!!

gman2k

hmm, I think I remember that bike....

These recessionary times means that repairs should be at least attempted!

mcguiver

Must be 19 years ago!! damn I looked cool in my TDK top and black lycra shorts..... never thought that I 'd be cycling for a living in my 30's!!

Live the dream eh!

blorg

mcguiver wrote: »

Must be 19 years ago!! damn I looked cool in my TDK top and black lycra shorts..... never thought that I 'd be cycling for a living in my 30's!!

Live the dream eh!

Are you a cycling garda? Not the only one on Boards, there is at least one common poster to this forum!

mcguiver

I prefer to tell people I'm a proffessional cyclist.... I get paid to cycle:P

And a bit of street cleaning while I'm at it;)

jlang

mcguiver wrote: »

Live the dream eh!

Hey! I took that photograph!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/afewscoops/116022166/

frostie500

You can fix it but youre only delaying the inevitable!

Wez

jlang wrote: »

Hey! I took that photograph!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/afewscoops/116022166/

That's copyright infringement, you're entitled to compensation for your work being stolen.. :P

I know your face McGuiver! lol

Back on topic, I'd echo what's been said, try fixing the buckle, handy to know how! Worst case scenario, replace it! Good luck!

keenan110

Try the bicycle polo method: put a helmet on your head and use your head to straighten it out! always works a treat!