How do I detach the rear bmx hub on my diamondback bmx bike from rim?

Hi, I have a diamondback bmx bike, and part of my rim bent (don't ask me how). I bent it back in place, but it's kinda sharp and doesn't feel safe. So I want to get a new rim, but my rear hub has really good bearings and I want to use it. I don't know how to detach and attach the hub though...help?

You have to loosen and remove each spoke from the wheel. Then, the spokes will slide out of the holes in the hub and you re-lace to the new rim. You can do this part yourself at home and then take the hub in to a shop to have them build the new wheel for you. You'll need a spoke wrench and 15-30 minutes to undo everything. You may want (or need) to use new spokes for the new build, depending on what the new rim is and the condition of your present spokes. If you're sure you won't reuse them, you can do the job faster by using a mini 8" bolt cutter to clip each spoke....this is what most shops do when they disassemble a wheel. I suppose you could use a cutting wheel on a Dremel, too.

Rebuilding the wheel isn't something you should probably try right now, but you can definitely learn it if you want to. It's not terribly hard. I'd recommend you have the shop do this one and ask them if they'll let you watch so you can understand how everything works. Then, find some instructions and see if you can find old wheels to practice on.

Hope that helps....if ya need anything more just ask!

A bike shop is the best lace to replace your rim, but if you want you can start it.

You'll need the correct sized spoke wrench, the new rim, and a roll of masking tape.

First, tape the new rim onto the old one, lining up the valve hole and making sure the spoke holes match up. The spokes are offset and need to be in the exact same position.

Next, loosen but DO NOT REMOVE the spokes in the wheel. DO NOT remove the nipples either.

Now, remove ONE nipple and transfer the spoke to the new rim. Insert the spoke into the new rim and thread the nipple on one or 2 turns. Continue untill all the spokes- one at a time- have been installed on the new rim.

Take the tape off and discard the old rim, then take the wheel (with spokes still loose) to a shop so they can tension and true it correctly.

it would be way cheaper to pull the bearings out of your hub and just get a new wheel and put your bearings in it. your going to spend a lot of money on labor having a bike shop respoke a new wheel for you.

You'll need to bring it in to a bike shop. They can lace a new rim using your hub. It's not something you should try if you have little experience as a bike mechanic.