"MacGyverisms"

"Betcha can't eat
just one!"


The bicycle wheel, for it's weight, is an amazingly strong structure. But it's not invincible. It's weakest side is just that. it's side. The most strength is perpendicular to it's axis. It's designed that way. That's where most of the stresses are. Improper building and spoke tension will weaken the wheel in all directions, and most of the weakness will end up in side to side rigidity.

The most common malady caused by this is the appropriately named "potato chip". So called because, well, the wheel looks like a potato chip..

But even the strongest wheels can come up against stresses that are stronger than they are. Whatever caused your wheel to look like it came out of a can of Pringles, you can fix it. At least enough to ride home.

First remove the wheel from the frame. You can leave the tire on for this, if you have a spoke key. Otherwise remove it, along with the tube and rim strip. You'll have to true the wheel by using a screwdriver on the spoke heads. You could use an adjustable wrench, make sure the jaws are as tight on the flats as possible or you could round them.

With the wheel off the bike, look at it. You'll need to place it on it's side with the two parts that are bent downwards resting in such a way that the rest of the wheel is suspended.

One bend on the curb and the other on the roadway is one solution, if the traffic is light. You could also rest the two edges against a wall and the ground.

Once you have the wheel situated properly, grab the rim by the upward pointing bends, and push down in a sharp, jerking motion. A little harder each time. If the rim itself hasn't been severly bent, it should "pop" into near-straitness.

It won't be "true", of course. That's where the spoke key comes in. Use it to true your wheel as best as possible. Use the frame or forks as a truing stand. Your brakes serving as guides.

When you've got it as true as possible, and any loose spokes tensioned properly, remount the tire (if you took it off) and put everything back together.

As soon as you get home, have the wheel inspected by a good wheelbuilder and, if it's possible to save the rim, have him retention it properly. If it can't be salvaged, you'll have to go looking for a new wheel or rim.

ANOTHER GREAT SAVE!-->

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or a MacGyverism of your own?
Write me and tell me about it!

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