Finally got my wheel true after going back and forth on spoke tension

I had a rear wheel that was wobbling like crazy on my old commuter. Spent two nights deciding between using a cheap truing stand I found on Craigslist versus just taking it to a shop in Austin. Went with the stand since it was $30 and I figured I'd use it again. Took me three tries but it's running straight now, no more brake rub. Any of you guys ever mess with a budget stand or is it worth upgrading?

2 comments

2 Comments

king.kevin19d ago

Honestly, that whole "back and forth on spoke tension" part is exactly where I think a cheap stand falls apart. Your wheel might be straight now, but I bet the tension is all over the place. Those $30 stands are flimsy as hell, the calipers flex, and you end up chasing a true that doesn't last. I used one for a year and my wheels kept going out of whack after a few rides. You'd be better off saving for a Park Tool or even just using the frame and a zip tie method. Ngl, you got lucky it worked out this time, but don't count on it holding up.

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the_joel19d ago

Didn't that happen to my buddy Dave? He bought one of those cheap stands, got his wheel true-ish, then the whole thing collapsed mid-spin and bent his rim worse than before. He just uses the frame trick now, says it's not worth the headache. You think a stand that cheap can even handle a mountain bike wheel?