How bad is this bent wheel?

I am getting some vibrations while braking, especially in the 30-35 mph
range. I think it's either a rotor or the front wheel.

I notice the vibrations even if I simply decelerate from 40 mph with my
hands off the handlebars (no front brakes), which makes me think it's
the wheel.

But I also notice some inconsistency in the braking force even at very
low speed (i.e. coasting down my driveway with the brakes lightly
applied), which makes me think it's a rotor.

Is this wheel bent badly enough to account for the vibration?

<http://home.comcast.net/~nabbott12/bent_wheel.jpg>

I know I should probably get it fixed, but I don't want to send it off
to be un-bent if it's unlikely to have a noticeable improvement.

I'm also worried I might have a bent fork leg (or triple clamp, or
axle). But a bent non-rotating part couldn't account for a vibration at
the same frequency as the wheel rotation, could it?

"timeOday" <timeOday-UNSPAM RemoveThis @theknack.net> wrote in message
news:jtydnU_E4ZZ5n1janZ2dnUVZ_sOrnZ2d@comcast.com...
>I am getting some vibrations while braking, especially in the 30-35 mph
> range. I think it's either a rotor or the front wheel.
>
> I notice the vibrations even if I simply decelerate from 40 mph with my
> hands off the handlebars (no front brakes), which makes me think it's
> the wheel.

I suspect that, given the photo, it is possible for the vibration to get
worse with brake application even without a bent rotor. I don't know the
physics of it (it is just intuitive), but when you brake you have the rotor
tugging against the brake pads and brake assembly. If the wheel is bent and
changing its acceleration while rotating or bouncing up and down, I think
that force or harmonic change in speed can be transmitted through the brake
shoes. In other words, I don't think a bent rotor is required for it to
seem to get worse when you apply the brakes.

> But I also notice some inconsistency in the braking force even at very
> low speed (i.e. coasting down my driveway with the brakes lightly
> applied), which makes me think it's a rotor.

This could also be explained by the paragraph above. When the wheel rolls
if it changes speed harmonically, I think brake application may make it
worse.

> Is this wheel bent badly enough to account for the vibration?
>
> <http://home.comcast.net/~nabbott12/bent_wheel.jpg>
>
> I know I should probably get it fixed, but I don't want to send it off
> to be un-bent if it's unlikely to have a noticeable improvement.

I believe the wheel in the photo is structurally damaged. The reason I say
that is that some of the strength comes from the sidewall (same as from
channel iron or from an I-beam). The shape is changed enough that you
should replace it. The damage is structural (but barely).

> I'm also worried I might have a bent fork leg (or triple clamp, or
> axle). But a bent non-rotating part couldn't account for a vibration at
> the same frequency as the wheel rotation, could it?

I'm not qualified, and I have no opinion there. You should have those
inspected by a mechanic ...