Is a 4mm wheel buckle too big?

Bloch

So I was cycling in the dark last night, with lights of course, but only to be seen and not to see. I was doing a good pace when I hit an almighty pothole, big as a lunar crater. It wasn't falling into it that did the harm; it was hitting the opposite side.

Got the bike home and now there's about 4mm wobble in the front wheel and 2 to 3mm in the back wheel.

I was used to having dead straight wheels for the last 1,500km and this imperfection bothers me. Should I start messing with the spoke tightener and risk the wheel going further out of shape, or should I let it be? The brakes don't rub.

I should add I'm a new comebacker to cycling and don't have the acquired mechanical skills though I'm not utterly useless.

wotdef

4mm should be no problem to get out so long as the rim hasnt got a flat spot from the impact. You will have to take tyre and tube off to check properly.

Maybe you should bring the wheels to a shop and have them true them for you if you feel there's a chance you might mess them up even more. Good description on how its done here if you want to have a go yourself: http://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

Skip to the bit that says "tensioning and truing"

Straatvark

Fix the wheel. Perfect timing to gain the skills yourself.

Bloch

Grand, OK. I take it it's not a good idea to be lazy and let it be.

I'll be happy to get it down to 1mm though.