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Found a cheap way to true a wobbly wheel without a stand
I had a rear wheel that was wobbling so bad it rubbed the brake pads every rotation. Instead of buying a truing stand for $80, I just flipped my bike upside down and used a zip tie as a reference point on the seat stay. Slowly tightened the spokes on the loose side with a spoke wrench from the $10 kit I got at Harbor Freight. After about 45 minutes of small adjustments, the wheel spins straight now and the brake rub is gone. Anyone else use a zip tie trick for bike repairs around the house?
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nelson.vera1mo ago
Oh man, the zip tie trick is a lifesaver but nobody talks about how the plastic can warp if you leave it on in the sun too long. I had one melt and sag while I was working outside on a hot day, totally threw off my reference point and I had to start over. Also if you're using a really cheap zip tie the little locking tab can slip and creep on you as you adjust spokes. I switched to a thick rubber band tied tight between the frame and a pencil instead, holds steadier and doesn't heat up.
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reese_lee91mo ago
Wait, have you ever tried that trick on a bike that's been sitting outside for years? I had this old Schwinn that was more rust than metal, and the wheel was so bent it looked like it was trying to become an oval. I used the zip tie method too, but I wrapped it around the chainstay instead cause it was closer to the worst wobble. Took me like an hour and a half cause I kept over tightening and had to go back. The final result wasn't perfect but it stopped the brake rub long enough for me to ride it to a shop for a proper fix.
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