BMX wheels take a beating--and they often get bent out of shape. A wonky wheel can slow you down and even pose a safety risk. If you see one side of the brakes rubbing the wheel rim or hear irregular scuffing noises, it's time to true your BMX wheels. Find a flat, sheltered location to do it.
Step 1
Turn your BMX upside down so that you can spin the wheels freely. Remove the BMX chain if you are truing the rear wheel so that you can spin it without using the pedal cranks. If you have a truing stand, remove the wheel and fix it in place by sliding it into the two slots.
Step 2
Spray or wipe Teflon lubricant along each spoke. Use a BMX spoke wrench to tighten the nipple on every spoke until it touches the wheel rim. Run your finger along each spoke from the rim to the point where it crosses another spoke. This ensures that the spokes are in the right place before you start fine tuning, according to the BBC's "Airtight" alternative sports website.
Step 3
Sit facing the wheel straight on. Spin the wheel and watch the brake pads. When you notice the wheel get closer to the pad, stop it from spinning and put your finger at the point where it moved. If you are using a truing stand, watch the stand caliper guides to check the wobble.
Step 4
Use the spoke wrench to tighten the spoke on the opposite side of the wheel to the point where you marked the wobble. Turn the wrench a half-turn. Tighten the spoke to the left and right of the first spoke in the same way, according to BMX expert Brian Kachinsky at Vital BMX.
Step 5
Spin the wheel to check if the wobble has decreased or increased. Continue to tweak the spokes on either side until the wheel runs true with no bend.
Step 6
Tighten spokes on both sides of the wheel at any point where the wheel "hops." This is when you notice the wheel rise slightly while spinning. Use half-turns for all spokes in the area until the hop levels out.
Tips and Warnings
- Don't turn a spoke several times to try and speed up the truing process. Use small, gradual tweaks and you'll avoid bending the wheel further.
Things You'll Need
- Truing stand (optional)
- Teflon lubricant
- BMX spoke wrench
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