Anybody out there who owns a bike knows that wheel truing is an essential part of bike maintenance. Without the wheels being properly aligned and staying true (or straight, as it’s more commonly referred to in everyday talk), then your bike won’t perform properly. That means it’ll take more effort on your part to get from A to B, and it can make for a really bumpy, uncomfortable ride. But worse still, bent out of shape wheels can cause accidents, as wheels that aren’t straightened properly can make everything else on the bike faulty too – including your braking system.
In short, wheel truing is an essential task for any sensible bike owner – but it’s also difficult. Or at least, it is if you don’t have the right equipment, and wheel truing stands are exactly what you need to make your life easier. So what are the best wheel truing stands available in 2022? Well, stick around for today’s post and we’ll tell you exactly that!
5 Best Wheel Truing Stands In 2022
There is a range of wheel truing stands below that have all been picked because they offer something unique and useful to the user. For example, there are a few great all-rounders on the list, but also ones for when you’re on a budget and ones for when you need a wheel truing stand on the go.
1. Park Tool TS-2.2P Powder Coated Professional Truing Stand (TOP PICK)
This is the wheel truing stand you’d recommend to EVERYONE in the bicycle world – whether they’re novices or seasoned veterans. Why? Because it’s such a flexible wheel truing stand that it’s almost guaranteed to meet everyone’s needs, no matter what those needs are.
For example, this truing stand accepts wheels up to 29″, which are commonly found on high-end mountain bikes. The uprights move simultaneously too, to accept wheels with hub widths of between 80 and 175mm, so it can deal with any tire size you throw at it.
Add in the fact that this wheel truing stand is made of heavy gauge steel that’s built to last, strong calipers that can be replaced when necessary, and can handle the front and rear tires of most mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrid bikes, and BMX bikes, and you start to see that this is a stand that could last you a lifetime as you purchase new bicycles, and it will still be useful all those years later! For the best wheel truing stands in 2022, this has to top the list!
Features
- Heavy gauge steel construction
- Wide, spring loaded calipers (which can be narrowed for racing tires)
- 80-175mm hub capacity
- Accepts wheels up to 29″
Pros
- Smooth and consistent operation
- Easy to build and adjust
- Built to last a lifetime
- One of the most flexible wheel truing stands out there
Cons
- If you already own the previous version, there’s no need to change
2. BIKEHAND Bike Wheel Professional Truing Stand Bicycle Wheel Maintenance
A slightly more affordable option, but still great, this wheel truing stand is also capable of handling a wide range of wheels. It accepts wheels that are between 16 and 27.5″ with or without tires, and 29″ without tires only. Since wheel truing doesn’t necessarily require the tire to be on (although it can help if it is sometimes), this still makes this truing stand model a very flexible option for most people.
The spring loaded calipers and caliper arms prevent binding and they’re very smooth and easy to operate. It’s also incredibly accurate, making the truing process much easier too.
The steel gauge heavy duty base also feels incredibly strong, allowing you to operate it with confidence. It can also be bench mounted, so you can easily make this a permanent feature in your garage or workshop for easy access for regular bike maintenance.
Features
- Simultaneous moving uprights for front and rear wheels
- Steel gauge heavy duty base
- Accepts wheels from 16 to 29″ (providing 29ers are without tires)
- Accepts hub width up to 150mm
Pros
- Accurate wheel truing stand that’s easy to use
- The price is more than reasonable for the quality
- Can be bench mounted, so it’s a permanent feature of your bike maintenance space
- Smooth caliper arms and calipers allow for easy operation
Cons
- Not quite as flexible as the first option on the list, but could still be a great option for you and your wheel truing needs
3. Minoura Minoura’-1 Portable Wheel Truing Stand, Silver (BEST BUDGET OPTION)
We know not everybody can afford the prices above, and that’s where this wheel truing stand comes in. Of all the budget options out there, this is the best wheel truing stand of the lot, simply because it has some outstanding features still, for an affordable price.
Although not a professional wheel truing stand like the others so far, it does get the job done, with flexible wheel compatibility of between 12 and 29″. That means you can pretty much work on most wheels for most bikes, including more niche options like folding bikes which tend to have smaller (14/16″) wheels.
It’s lightweight, but still made of sturdy steel, and has a foldable design. That means you can easily take it with you on a trip if needed, and it certainly makes for better storage options to store this truing stand away until you need it next.
Features
- Accepts wheels from 12 to 29″
- Sturdy steel base with alloy pillars
- Comes with a manual that includes a wheel truing guide
- Checks wheels both vertically and horizontally for proper alignment
Pros
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Very flexible with wheel sizes
- The most affordable option today
Cons
- Not a professional tool, meaning you won’t get ‘amazing’ results, but certainly ‘good enough’
4. Venzo Bike Wheel Economic Truing Stand Bicycle Wheel Maintenance (BEST PORTABLE OPTION)
Although the above affordable option is portable, it’s really this wheel truing stand that’s the best portable option overall. Again, it’s not professional, but it markets itself perfectly by aiming for the ‘light use customers’ – those that only think about wheel truing once or twice a year and just need something strong and easy to operate to get the job done.
The stand folds down into a very convenient 53cm x 28cm x 6cm package, and the whole thing only weighs 1.8kg, making it super lightweight and maneuverable.
It’s also made of strong steel and has been designed with comfortable operating knobs that are smooth and very easy to use. This makes wheel truing a much simpler task, and the base is incredibly stable too, meaning better accuracy than some of the cheaper models out there.
Features
- Accepts wheels between 16 and 29″ with or without tires
- Compact design
- Strong steel stable base
- Easy to operate smooth knobs
Pros
- Compatible with a range of wheels
- Much more accurate than you’d first think
- Lightweight (1.8kg)
- Perfect for light use customers
Cons
- Read the fine print: Not compatible with 20mm Thru Axle, so check before you buy as it’s not as flexible as other options
5. Park Tool TS-8 Home Mechanic Wheel Truing Stand
If you want the accurate wheel truing capabilities of the first Park Tool option on this list, but at a much more affordable price, then this is the best wheel truing stand for you. It can load wheels of between 16 and 29″, so again, it’s a flexible option, but because it’s for at-home use primarily, the price is far more affordable.
It can support wheels with a hub width of up to 170mm and it’s really easy to use thanks to the quick dropout mechanism that allows you to secure the wheel into place for wheel truing in seconds.
You can use this stand as free-standing, or you can bolt it into place on a bench, making it a permanent fixture. It’s made of heavy gauge steel, making it the sturdiest of the at-home non-professional options we’ve considered today.
Features
- Nifty features for quick securing of wheels
- Flexible options again of 16 to 29″ wheels
- Heavy gauge steel
- Hub width capacity up to 170mm
Pros
- Sturdiest of the non-professional options
- Durable base that’s built to last
- Designed well for quick and easy wheel truing
- Can be bolted into place for added stability
- Incredibly accurate
Cons
- An at-home option that doesn’t fold may be inconvenient to some, especially if not bolting into place
Best Wheel Truing Stand Buying Guide
To make the right choice for you, you need to really consider a few factors that influence which wheel truing stand is the best fit. This buying guide will take you through the key points to consider before buying, so you can decide which of the 5 best wheel truing stands above is the one you will get the most out of.
Precision and Accuracy
The two most important things to think about when buying bike wheel truing stands are precision and accuracy. Without these two things, the stand is worthless and not fit for purpose.
For this, focus on the calipers and how strong/compatible they are with your bike, and read reviews from previous customers – specifically looking out for comments about how well the stand actually performs at carrying out accurate radial and lateral trueness on their bike’s wheels and rims. If it’s able to align the wheel accurately, then the stand is already worth considering.
Compatibility and Flexibility
Another thing you need to think about is compatibility, and therefore the flexibility of the stand. We’ve pointed out a few of the truing stands that are incredibly flexible with the wheel sizes they can deal with (both with and without tires).
This is an important thing to consider, especially if cycling for you isn’t just a new hobby you’ll drop in a few months. If bikes are a lifelong passion, then having a wheel truing stand that’s capable of growing with y0u as you get new bikes with different wheel sizes is important. That way, you’ll hopefully not have to buy another truing stand again.
Durability and Stability
Speaking of not having to buy another truing stand, it’s important to think about durability. Ask yourself: ‘What is the base made out of?’ ‘What warranty is provided?’ ‘How long can I reasonably expect to keep it?’. These are all important questions because buying the right truing stand can be pricey, so it’s important to make an investment in a product you can get the most use out of.
And with durability comes stability. Is there a mounting option? If not, how stable is the base when freestanding? Again, look for reviews and comments from others because stability is important when truing from an accuracy point of view.
Cost
And finally, the cost. Knowing how much you’re willing to spend is really important. Yes, the more you spend, generally, the better the product will be. But if you’re someone who will only do maintenance on their bike wheels once or twice a year, then a really expensive option probably isn’t worth it based on your needs.
Cost should come down to what you need and how often you’ll use it. Cheaper options aren’t bad, especially if you aren’t going to use it regularly enough to warrant a high price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often do wheels need truing?
If trued properly, wheels shouldn’t need truing again too frequently, although this also depends on how often you use your bike and in what way. A mountain bike that’s out on hilly trails every evening will have wheels that need truing long before a cruiser bike that’s only taken out for an hour on a Sunday morning leisure ride through a park, for example.
Really, you’ll know when your wheels need to be trued because they’ll start wobbling. At this point, it’s important to true your wheels ASAP to avoid damage to your wheels and accidents to yourself.
How long should truing take?
Novices will take longer, but even then it shouldn’t take longer than half an hour. You get quicker with experience too, to the point where wheel truing can easily take you less than 15 minutes and the results will still be perfectly accurate and the wheel completely aligned.
Do you HAVE to use a truing stand?
No, you don’t HAVE to, but you should. Experts who have been truing wheels for years can do it without the stand, but even they will opt to use a truing stand 9 times out of 10 because it makes the job so much easier. If you’re looking for accuracy, then a truing stand is always the best way to go.
What other tools will I need?
It isn’t just the truing stand you’ll need. You’ll also need a spoke wrench. Be warned though, they all come in different sizes, so make sure you select the right spoke wrench for your wheel’s spoke nipple.
Round-Up
Wheel truing stands are an essential tool for cyclists that take their bicycle’s maintenance seriously. If you’ve yet to pick one up, then one of our top 5 best wheel truing stands in 2022 will surely be a big help.
Consider your options carefully, do your research, and then you’ll be guaranteed a truing stand that’s perfect for you!