2ratai.lt · Kaunas, Aukštieji Šančiai

Ratnyčios g. 15, Kaunas

Easy access and parking by the entrance

Mon–Fri 11:00–18:00
info@2ratai.lt
Parking right by the entrance

It's currently off-season, so we work by appointment only and are not on site.

Bike wheel repair is not only about a punctured inner tube. Often a wheel starts to wobble from side to side, a bearing creaks, the tyre keeps losing air or a spoke breaks. At the 2ratai.lt workshop in Kaunas, all of this is fixed mechanically: from replacing a tyre to replacing an axle, hub or rim.

Below you’ll find a description of symptoms and prices excluding parts. If your bike has been standing for a long time or you ride a lot, also consider a bike service – wheel bearings and spokes are checked along with everything else.

How much does it cost to replace a tyre or inner tube? Replacing a tyre or inner tube costs 5–10 € excluding parts. The price of the tyre or tube itself is charged separately.
Can I just drop by without waiting in line? During the season (16 March – 14 October) we carry out urgent jobs, such as tyre replacement, right away. From 15 October to 15 March we work by appointment only.
Do I need to call before coming? During the season (16 March – 14 October) you can drop by Mon–Fri 11:00–18:00. From 15 October to 15 March, please be sure to call ahead.
Is it worth repairing an old wheel? It depends on the condition of the rim. Once we have inspected the wheel, we will tell you what needs fixing and how much it will cost: wheel truing 8–15 €, rebuilding with new spokes 25 €.

Bicycle wheel repair: what the symptoms tell you

Wheel problems usually announce themselves in advance – with a faint noise, a wobbling wheel or a slowly deflating tyre. Here we have gathered the symptoms in the words people typically use when searching for them.

018–15 €

Bicycle wheel wobbles from side to side

WhyMost often it is a loose or broken spoke, or an impact from a pothole or kerb. The rim then wobbles sideways and rubs against the brake pads or the fork.

What we doWe true the wheel (straighten it) and even out the spoke tension. If the rim is deformed, we discuss re-spoking or replacement. We assess the wheel after inspecting it in the workshop.

025–10 €

Bicycle keeps losing air

WhyThe most common cause is a punctured inner tube, a thorn or a shard of glass in the tyre, or a faulty valve. If the air disappears over a few hours, a small puncture is most likely to blame.

Check it yourselfInflate the tyre and see whether it goes flat overnight. Check that the valve is not crooked.

What we doWe remove the wheel, replace the inner tube or tyre, and check the rim tape and the spoke ends so that the new tube does not get torn again.

038–10 €

Bicycle wheel bearing is squeaking

WhyThe grease has dried out, water has got in, or the bearings are overtightened or too loose. The squeak is often heard while riding and disappears when you stop.

Check it yourselfLift the wheel and try to move it sideways across the axle – if you feel play, the bearing has come loose. The wheel should spin smoothly.

What we doWe adjust the bearing play, and if the grease has dried out or the bearings are worn, we overhaul the hub and replace the worn parts.

0425 €

Broken spoke or wheel with a wobble

WhySpokes break from fatigue, overload or uneven tension. A single broken spoke quickly causes other problems.

Check it yourselfDo not ride with a broken spoke – have the wheel fixed at the workshop first.

What we doWe replace the spokes and rebuild the wheel so that the tension is even.

0515 €

Axle is bent or the wheel is loose

WhyA broken or bent axle, worn bearings, or nuts that are not tight enough. The wheel may wobble, and you may hear clicking while riding.

Check it yourselfCheck that the quick-release lever or the nuts are tightened securely. If the wheel still wobbles, do not ride.

What we doWe replace the wheel axle, overhaul the bearings and adjust the wheel so that it sits straight.

0625 €

Rear wheel spins freely without driving or clicks

WhyIn a cassette hub, the freehub body often wears out or gets clogged, or the grease dries up. You then pedal, but the bicycle does not move forward, or you hear clicking.

Check it yourselfIf the bicycle does not pick up speed when you pedal, do not keep riding – it could end in a fall.

What we doWe take apart the cassette hub’s freehub body, clean it, lubricate it and replace the worn parts.

0730 €

Rim is cracked, dented or the hub is damaged

WhyOld rims get thinner from brake wear, and hard impacts leave dents. Repairing such a wheel is not always worthwhile.

Check it yourselfInspect the braking surface for cracks around the spoke holes. If you notice a crack, do not ride.

What we doWe replace the hub or the rim and rebuild the wheel. We take the wheel size and brake type into account.

08from 35 €

Noise from the driven wheel of an e-bike

WhyThe hub motor may have worn bearings, gears or other mechanical parts.

What we doWe overhaul the motor and replace worn mechanical parts. We do not carry out electrical or electronics repair. Read more about e-bike repair.

Bicycle wheel repair prices

Below are the prices for wheel work excluding parts; tyres, inner tubes, spokes and bearings are charged separately.

Tyres and inner tubes

Service	Price	Note
Tyre or inner tube replacement	5–10 €	excluding parts
Tyre inflation	free	–

Wheel truing and spokes

Service	Price	Note
Wheel straightening (truing)	8–15 €	excluding parts
Wheel lacing (spoking)	25 €	excluding parts

Bearings, axle and hub

Service	Price	Note
Wheel bearing adjustment	8–10 €	excluding parts
Wheel axle replacement	15 €	excluding parts
Cassette hub freehub service	25 €	excluding parts
Hub or rim replacement	30 €	excluding parts

Non-standard jobs

Service	Price
Non-standard job pricing	30 €/h

Prices are approximate: we give you the exact amount after inspecting the bike, before starting any work.

Myths about bicycle wheels

Myth. The wheel wobbles – just turn one spoke. In reality. When truing a wheel, the tension of all the spokes matters, not just one. That’s why it’s worth entrusting the wheel to a workshop, where it is inspected and trued.
Myth. You can keep riding for a while with a broken spoke. In reality. No. The load shifts to the other spokes and the rim warps. Don’t ride with a broken spoke – fix the wheel first.
Myth. If a tyre loses air, it’s enough to pump it up more often. In reality. Constant loss of air points to a puncture or a faulty valve. Riding with too low a pressure wears out the tyre and inner tube faster.

Tyre and inner tube replacement with no waiting

A punctured inner tube or a torn tyre is the most common wheel job. During the season (from 16 March to 14 October), we carry out urgent jobs such as tyre replacement right away, with no waiting. Working hours: Mon–Fri 11:00–18:00.

From 15 October to 15 March we work by appointment only and are not on site, so please be sure to call before you come. We pump up tyres for free.

Replacing a tyre or inner tube costs 5–10 €, and the price of the tyre or inner tube itself is charged separately.

Bike repair in Kaunas: a mechanic working on a bike in the workshop

Wheel sizes: 20, 24, 26, 27.5, 28, 29 inches

When looking for wheels or tyres, the most important thing is often to know the size. It is usually printed on the side of the tyre, for example 28 x 1.6 or 29 x 2.1. Children’s bikes most often have 20 or 24 inch wheels, mountain bikes 26, 27.5 or 29, and city and touring bikes 28.

Before starting work, we inspect the wheel and tell you what needs to be fixed and how much it will cost. If replacing the rim or hub is unavoidable, we will choose the size and brake type together with you.

When a wheel is worth repairing and when to replace it

Whether a wheel is worth repairing depends on the condition of the rim. If the rim is straight and free of cracks, truing (8–15 €) or re-spoking (25 €) often solves the problem. If the rim is cracked, dented or badly worn, the hub or rim has to be replaced (30 € without parts).

We make the decision after inspecting the wheel. If the wheel wobbles because of brake wear, also check the brakes, and if the cassette hub clicks, check the gears too.

If the wheel rubs against the brake pads or the fork, don’t ride it and don’t try to adjust the spokes yourself – a warped wheel can be damaged even more.

What to bring and what to know before you come

Bring the bike with the wheel that needs fixing
Know when you noticed the fault and how it shows up
During the season (16 March – 14 October), come Mon–Fri 11:00–18:00
From 15 October to 15 March, call first
Don’t ride with a broken spoke or a cracked rim
Remember the wheel size printed on the side of the tyre

How wheel repair works

Call or drop by. During the season (16 March – 14 October), come Mon–Fri 11:00–18:00. From 15 October to 15 March, call first and arrange a time.
We inspect the wheel. We check the rim, spokes, bearings, axle and tyre, and tell you what needs to be fixed.
We agree on the price. We tell you the price before starting work. Prices are without parts; parts are charged separately.
We do the work. We replace the tyre or inner tube, true the wheel, adjust the bearings or replace the faulty part.
We hand the bike back. Before handing it over, we check that the wheel spins evenly and is pumped up.

Frequently asked questions about bicycle wheel repair

How much does it cost to replace a bicycle tyre or inner tube?

Replacing a tyre or inner tube costs 5–10 € without parts. The price of the tyre or inner tube itself is charged separately, and we tell you before starting work.

Can I come without waiting in line?

During the season (16 March – 14 October), we carry out urgent jobs, such as tyre replacement, right away. From 15 October to 15 March we work by appointment only, so please call first.

When can I come in?

During the season (16 March – 14 October), you can come Mon–Fri 11:00–18:00. Drop-off or pick-up at another time can be arranged by phone. In winter, you must arrange it in advance.

Is it worth repairing an old wheel?

It depends on the condition of the rim. Once we’ve inspected the wheel, we’ll tell you what needs fixing and how much it will cost, and if the rim is cracked or dented, we’ll discuss replacing the hub or the rim.

How much does wheel truing cost?

Wheel truing costs 8–15 €, re-spoking – 25 €. Prices exclude parts; we’ll give you the exact amount after inspecting the wheel.

Do you repair e-bike wheels?

Yes, the mechanical side: we replace tyres and axles and rebuild hub motors (from 35 € + parts). We do not do electrical or electronics repair.

Bike wheel repair in Kaunas