Truing your wheels is an essential aspect of road bike maintenance that ensures a smooth ride and prevents unnecessary wear on other components. The Atlas 30 [paid link] wheels by Race Face are designed to deliver exceptional performance, but regular maintenance, especially truing, is critical to maintaining their optimal performance. This guide will walk you through the process of truing your Atlas 30 [paid link] wheels, troubleshooting common issues, and offering tips on how to customize them for better performance.
Tools Required
- Truing stand
- Spoke wrench (appropriate size for your spokes)
- Tension meter (optional for advanced truing)
- Lubricant (for spoke nipples)
- 5mm Allen key (for hub adjustments)
Understanding the Importance of Truing
Before diving into the process of truing, it’s important to understand why wheel truing is so crucial. A wheel that is out of true can cause a number of issues, including poor braking performance, uneven tire wear, and a rough ride. The Atlas 30, known for its durability and strength, is particularly sensitive to misalignment, so keeping it true will ensure it continues to perform at its best.
Truing is the process of adjusting the tension of your spokes to ensure that your wheel is straight and true. This is vital to maintaining your wheel’s strength and preventing any potential damage to the wheel or the bike during use.
Step-by-Step Guide to Truing the Atlas 30 Wheels
1. Remove the Wheel
To begin truing your Atlas 30 wheel, you’ll first need to remove it from the bike. Use your 5mm Allen key to detach the wheel from the bike’s frame or fork. Ensure that the brake pads are not in contact with the wheel when you remove it, especially if you’re working on a rim brake setup.
2. Set the Wheel in a Truing Stand
Place the wheel in a truing stand, which will allow you to easily identify any bends, wobbles, or irregularities. If you don’t have a truing stand, it’s possible to perform the truing with the wheel mounted back on the bike, but using a truing stand provides greater accuracy.
3. Inspect the Wheel for Wobble
Spin the wheel slowly and observe the rim’s motion. You’ll be looking for any side-to-side movement. If the wheel deviates from the centerline, it’s considered out of true. This is the area that needs adjusting.
4. Tighten or Loosen Spokes
To correct the wheel’s alignment, you will adjust the tension of the spokes. Use the spoke wrench to either tighten or loosen the spokes in the area that is out of true. Remember that tightening a spoke will pull the rim toward the hub, while loosening it will allow the rim to move away from the hub. It’s crucial to make adjustments gradually to avoid overcompensating and causing further misalignment.
- Start with the affected area: Focus on the areas where the wheel deviates from the true line. Adjust the spokes in small increments.
- Work in small sections: If the wheel has multiple areas that are out of true, address each section individually to avoid creating new problems.
5. Check for Radial and Lateral Deviation
Radial deviation occurs when the rim is uneven or out of round. Lateral deviation, on the other hand, is when the rim sways side to side. Both types of misalignment can be corrected with spoke adjustments, but they may require different approaches:
- Radial misalignment: To correct radial deviation, tighten spokes in the low spots and loosen those in the high spots. Use a visual or a small indicator (such as a pointer attached to the truing stand) to check for any inconsistencies.
- Lateral misalignment: To correct lateral deviation, adjust spokes on either side of the wheel to pull the rim back into alignment. Be sure to alternate between spokes to ensure even tension distribution.
6. Verify Spoke Tension
Once the rim is back in true, check the spoke tension. Uneven spoke tension can lead to issues with wheel performance, such as cracks or further misalignment. Use a tension meter to check the consistency across all spokes. If you notice significant variations, it’s best to adjust the spokes evenly around the wheel to maintain uniform tension.
7. Recheck the Wheel
Spin the wheel again to ensure it is properly aligned. Check the wheel for any further wobbling or radial/lateral deviations. Make any final tweaks if necessary. You may need to repeat the process a couple of times to get the wheel perfectly true.
8. Install the Wheel Back on the Bike
After achieving the desired truing, it’s time to reinstall the wheel onto your bike. Use the 5mm Allen key to securely fasten the wheel to the frame or fork. Ensure that the wheel is properly centered in the dropout and the brake pads are properly aligned with the rim.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with careful adjustments, you may encounter a few common issues while truing your Atlas 30 wheels. Here are some solutions to help you troubleshoot:
- Persistent wobbling: If the wheel continues to wobble despite adjustments, it could be an indication of a more serious issue such as a damaged spoke or hub misalignment. Inspect the wheel for any cracks or broken spokes and replace them if necessary.
- Spokes not holding tension: If the spokes are not maintaining proper tension, it may be due to corrosion or wear on the nipples. Lubricating the nipples can help maintain smooth adjustments. If the spokes continue to slip, it may be time to replace them.
- Wheel not staying true: If the wheel refuses to stay true after several adjustments, check the spoke nipples for any signs of damage. Also, check the wheel rim for any bent or cracked sections that could be contributing to the issue.
Customizing the Atlas 30 for Better Performance
While the Atlas 30 wheels are built for strength and durability, fine-tuning them to your riding style and preferences can improve performance. Here are some ways you can customize the wheels for optimal performance:
- Tightening spokes for stiffer wheels: If you prefer a stiffer wheel for faster, more responsive riding, you can increase the spoke tension slightly. This will result in a more rigid wheel, but be careful not to overtighten, as this could cause damage to the wheel.
- Loosening spokes for a more forgiving ride: For riders who prioritize comfort and shock absorption, slightly loosening the spokes can make the wheel more flexible. This is especially beneficial for riders who ride on rough terrain.
Compatibility with Other Drivetrain Components
The Atlas 30 wheels are compatible with most road bike drivetrains, but it’s essential to verify the specific specifications before making any upgrades or replacements. When working with any Race Face components, ensure that your cassette and freehub are properly matched to the wheel’s specifications.
Additionally, ensure that the wheel is compatible with your brake type—whether you’re using rim brakes or disc brakes. The Atlas 30 is often paired with disc brakes for enhanced stopping power, but it’s crucial to check the rotor compatibility based on your specific model and disc brake standards.
Conclusion
Truing your Atlas 30 wheels is a manageable and important task for ensuring a smooth and enjoyable ride. With the right tools and technique, you can maintain and enhance the performance of your wheels, extending their lifespan and ensuring you get the most out of your ride. By following this step-by-step guide, you’ll be able to maintain your Atlas 30 wheels efficiently, troubleshoot common problems, and optimize their performance for your specific riding style.