New bike wheels dont sit in dropouts perfectly, are washers safe to use?

Asked by: Tammy Mitchell

Where do the washers go on a bike wheel?

Pull, or if the wheel’s on the ground, push the wheel fully up into the dropouts. For non quick-release wheels with axle nuts, the washers go to the outside of the dropouts.

What happens if a bike wheel isnt true?

Untrue wheels are weaker, may cause steering to be difficult at high speed, and if you’re using rim brakes it will cause stuttering or lockups. Having said that, it would need to be damn untrue for any of the above to be a serious problem.

How do you fix an uneven bike wheel?

Quote from video: Find a suitable lever to bend the rim in the opposite direction this could be by wedging the wheel between two trees. Or use a rock and your bodyweight to bend the wheel back in the opposite.

How do you center a wheel in dropouts?

Quote from video: Here. I'm gonna go ahead and just pull this axle all the way back so release the skewer. Pull it back make sure it's all the way to the back of those dropouts. And it actually helps to have the bike.

What are washers used for on a bike?

Pedal washers exist primarily to ensure a good pedal to crank arm interface, but they can also aid in dialing in your bike fit. All SRAM cranks come with pedal washers while most cranks from other manufacturers do not. Some notable exceptions include Shimano Saint and Zee cranks.

Do I need spoke washers?

The washers are unnecessary because you do not need them. The wheel will build and last just fine without them. If used, that are not going to change the effective spoke length enough to matter at all. You are way WAY overthinking your first wheel build.

Are untrue wheels safe?

Fake wheels have been known to shatter under hard braking, cornering or even at motorway speeds, creating potentially lethal results due to the skimping of extremely important manufacturing methods. So we recommend you pay for quality.

How true does a bike wheel need to be?

Truing By Pitch



The wheel does not have to be perfectly round or true; slight runouts are acceptable (a few millimeters). As long as there are no loose spokes and the wheel is reasonably straight (the rim and tire mustn’t rub on the brake pads), it will ride nicely and hold up fine.

How often do you need to true a bike wheel?

about once a year

You should have the wheels and spokes trued and tensioned about once a year (if your ride often). Bicycle spoke rings can be plucked just like any other stringed instrument such as a guitar or a harp.

How much does it cost to straighten a bike wheel?

If the wheel is fixable–it generally looks good but has a wobble–you can expect your local bike shop to charge $20 – $30 to true it using professional equipment like a truing stand for the perfect line and roundness.

How do you true a wheel without a stand?

Quote from video: However in a pinch or just in a situation where you have a wheel that is out of true.

How do you align a bike wheel?

Quote from video: Since the spoke we would normally tighten to pull the rim back to the right is broken. We have to loosen the ones from the left side instead and this will allow the rim to retract to the right.

When should you use a washer?

Washers are used to distribute the load of a threaded fastener, such as a bolt or nut. Before a screw or bolt is driven into a surface, a washer may be placed in order to prevent looseness and provide protection. This also prevents the bolt head and nut from damaging the surfaces of the two fastened parts.

What are the 4 types of washers?

Following are the types of washers, as per their utility and functions:

• Split lock washer.
• External tooth lock washer.
• Internal tooth lock washer.

Are bike pedal washers necessary?

Quote from video: On your pedals is that you need to make sure there's enough thread engagement with the crank arm. The minimum required is 11 millimeters.

What does it mean to true a bike wheel?

Wheel truing is the process of using a spoke wrench to change the tension of spokes to improve the straightness and roundness, or trueness, of the wheel.

Does my wheel need truing?

If your spokes are so loose they rattle, they’re providing virtually no strength to the wheel structure. It’s no better than if that spoke were missing or broken. It’s a big indicator that your bike wheels need truing. Get thee to thy local bike shop!

Can you true a MTB wheel?

Truing the wheel can be the more daunting task but it’s simple enough if you work slowly and methodically. Spin the wheel in your truing stand or frame and see where the rim is out of true. I like to look for the biggest wobble where the rim moves away from the zip tie or truing stand calipers and start there.

Can you ride with a buckled wheel?

A buckled wheel can ruin your ride. At best, the bike will handle oddly. At worst, the rim will rub against the brakes so it won’t spin round.

How do you true a buckled bike wheel?

Quote from video: Hold that straight. Because this side needs to move. Across. I'm going to add some tension to this side turning this clockwise let's say. And then opposite side remove some tension.

How much does it cost to straighten a bike wheel?

If the wheel is fixable–it generally looks good but has a wobble–you can expect your local bike shop to charge $20 – $30 to true it using professional equipment like a truing stand for the perfect line and roundness.