Maintaining your wheels is essential to keep your bike riding smoothly and safely. The Vault Enduro 30 [paid link] wheels from Race Face are a popular choice for road cyclists due to their durability and performance. Over time, however, you may notice that your wheels become slightly out of true. This can lead to uneven braking, poor handling, and a decrease in overall performance. Fortunately, with the right tools and a bit of know-how, you can true your Vault Enduro 30 [paid link] wheels yourself. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of truing these wheels, providing expert tips on everything from installation and adjustments to troubleshooting common issues.
Tools Required
- Truing stand
- 5mm or 6mm Allen wrench [paid link]
- Spoke wrench
- Nipples and nipple driver
- Caliper or ruler (for measuring spoke tension)
- Lubricant for spoke threads
- Brake blocks or zip ties (for alignment check)
- Tension meter (optional but recommended for precision)
Preparing Your Vault Enduro 30 Wheel for Truing
Before starting the truing process, it is important to ensure your Vault Enduro 30 wheel is properly prepared. This will help prevent any issues while truing and ensure the wheel maintains its shape and performance over time.
Step 1: Remove the Wheel from the Bike
To begin, you need to remove the wheel from your bike. Depending on your bike setup, this may involve using a quick release lever or a thru-axle to detach the wheel from the frame or fork. If you’re working on the rear wheel, make sure to shift the drivetrain to the smallest cog to reduce tension on the wheel.
Step 2: Inspect the Wheel
Before beginning the truing process, check the wheel for any obvious signs of damage, such as broken spokes, bent rims, or cracked nipples. If the rim is severely damaged, it may need to be replaced. Also, ensure that all spokes are correctly tightened and that the nipples are not corroded or stripped.
Setting Up the Wheel in a Truing Stand
A truing stand is a crucial tool when truing your Vault Enduro 30 wheels. It helps you keep the wheel steady and accurately assess its true alignment. If you don’t already own one, they are a worthwhile investment for any serious bike mechanic.
Step 1: Mount the Wheel in the Stand
Place the wheel in the truing stand so that the hub is securely locked in place. Make sure the wheel is free to rotate and that the stand allows you to adjust the wheel’s position while it spins.
Step 2: Set Up the Brake Blocks
For a more accurate truing process, attach brake blocks or zip ties to the stand, ensuring they are positioned close to the rim without touching it. These will act as reference points to help you see the deviations in the wheel’s trueness as it rotates.
Truing the Wheel
Once your wheel is set up and ready for inspection, it’s time to begin the truing process. This involves making slight adjustments to the tension of the spokes to correct any deviations in the wheel’s alignment.
Step 1: Inspect for Lateral Deviation
Spin the wheel and observe how it moves relative to the brake blocks. Pay attention to any lateral (side-to-side) movement in the rim. If you notice the rim is closer to one of the brake blocks, that part of the wheel needs adjustment.
Step 2: Tighten or Loosen Spokes
Using your spoke wrench, begin adjusting the spokes. To correct a section of the wheel that is too far to one side, you’ll need to tighten the spokes on the opposite side. Conversely, if the rim is too close to the brake block on one side, loosen the spokes on that side.
Work your way around the wheel, making small, incremental adjustments. Aim to adjust each spoke by only a quarter or half turn at a time to avoid overcorrecting.
Step 3: Check Radial Trueness
After addressing any lateral deviations, you should also check for radial trueness (the roundness of the wheel). Spin the wheel and look for any high or low spots in the rim, where it may not be perfectly round.
If you find any spots that are not true, gently adjust the spokes around that area. Tighten or loosen the spokes as necessary, but again, make small adjustments to avoid overtensioning any specific spoke.
Step 4: Double-Check and Fine-Tune
Once you’ve addressed both lateral and radial deviations, spin the wheel several times to verify the truing. It’s helpful to check the wheel under pressure (by mounting it on your bike) to ensure it holds its true alignment.
If you still notice any slight deviations, repeat the process, making fine adjustments to the spokes. It’s often helpful to focus on smaller sections of the wheel at a time, especially when addressing radial issues.
Common Truing Issues and Troubleshooting
During the truing process, you may encounter several common issues that could affect your wheel’s alignment. Here’s how to troubleshoot them effectively:
Issue 1: Spokes Are Too Tight or Loose
If your Vault Enduro 30 wheels are significantly out of true, it could be due to uneven spoke tension. Always check the tension of each spoke after truing and use a tension meter to ensure they are all within the recommended range.
- Solution: If a spoke is too loose, tighten it gradually to avoid overloading the wheel. If a spoke is too tight, loosen it carefully and check that the neighboring spokes have equal tension.
Issue 2: Bent or Broken Spokes
A bent or broken spoke can affect the overall trueness of your wheel and may make it difficult to get the wheel back into perfect alignment.
- Solution: Replace any broken or bent spokes with new ones of the same length and gauge. Use the spoke wrench to adjust the new spoke and bring it into alignment with the others.
Issue 3: Rim Damage
If your Vault Enduro 30 rim is bent or cracked, it will be impossible to achieve perfect truing. A rim with significant damage should be replaced to prevent further issues.
- Solution: Examine the rim carefully for any visible damage. If necessary, consult a professional to determine whether the rim can be repaired or needs to be replaced.
Final Checks and Reinstallation
After ensuring that the Vault Enduro 30 wheel is true and properly adjusted, it’s time to reinstall it on your bike.
Step 1: Reinstall the Wheel
Place the wheel back onto your bike, making sure that it is securely mounted. If you’re working with the rear wheel, ensure the chain is correctly threaded through the cassette, and the wheel is properly aligned with the frame.
Step 2: Test the Wheel on the Bike
Before going for a ride, give the wheel a spin while it’s on the bike to ensure it rotates smoothly and without any wobble. Check the brake alignment once again to ensure proper function.
Step 3: Final Adjustments
Take the bike for a short test ride, paying attention to the handling and braking performance. If you notice any issues with the wheel’s alignment during the ride, return to the truing stand and make any final adjustments.
Conclusion
Truing your Vault Enduro 30 wheels is a straightforward task that can be done with a bit of patience and the right tools. By following this step-by-step guide, you can ensure your wheels remain in top condition, providing you with a smooth, safe ride. Regular wheel maintenance, including truing, not only extends the life of your wheels but also optimizes your bike’s overall performance.