Bicycle Mechanics - (Another) Bike Stand Question

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John Kelin
09-10-12, 05:27 PM
Newbie amateur mechanic question:

When I put my bike onto my bike stand, the front wheel usually turns to the left or right. This is probably due to an uneven garage floor. Not much I can do about that.

I've tried a couple of DIY fixes. So far no success. I've used a short strap wrapped around the down tube and passed through the wheel ... which is okay if I don't need to spin the front wheel for any reason.

The best fix would be a gadget that attaches to the top tube at one end, from which two arms extend, and fasten to each side of the handle bars ... made from some rigid material. Does such a gadget, or something similar, exist?

Steve530
09-10-12, 05:33 PM
Yes, at least one, the Park Tool Handlebar Holder, HBH-2 is available. I have never used one. If I want the front wheel to stay straight, I rotate the bike in the stand so the the front is lower than the rear. Not perfect, but it works ok.
CACycling
09-10-12, 06:47 PM
I've got the HBH-2 and it works great.

Dodgensince74
09-10-12, 07:04 PM
there are a few companies out there that make them, parks makes one that looks very simple. I just use a couple of bungie cords on my bike, plus they allow me to turn the wheel side to side if I have to.
FBinNY
09-10-12, 07:07 PM
What diference does it make if the wheel tuns slightly. OTOH if it turns enough to be an issue, it isn't your garage floor, it's gravity and you don't need a gadget, just tilt the bike.

Most of the wheel/fork weight is forward of the steering axis. If you hold the bike front wheel down slightly it'll hang straight, if front wheel up it'll flop to one side ot the other.
lvolpe
09-10-12, 07:21 PM
I have used the Park HBH-2 and while there are other DIY fixes, you will truly appreciate the ease and stability of the HBH-2. I highly recommend it.
John Kelin
09-10-12, 08:02 PM
...I just use a couple of bungie cords on my bike, plus they allow me to turn the wheel side to side if I have to.

Where do you attach the bungies?

Thanks for the answers, everyone.
Gaman
09-10-12, 08:35 PM
How about this:

272232
Dodgensince74
09-11-12, 06:37 AM
Where do you attach the bungies?

Thanks for the answers, everyone.

from the hand grips to the stand clamp
larwyn
09-11-12, 07:30 AM
I took a bit of 1/4" mild steel rod and copied the general shape of the Park Tools HBH-2. It is shown in use in the this old pic.
272284
Yo Spiff
09-11-12, 08:13 AM
I just use a bungee or a strap from the wheel to the downtube. If I need to rotate the wheel, then I take it off.
calstar
09-11-12, 08:40 AM
I just use a bungee or a strap from the wheel to the downtube. If I need to rotate the wheel, then I take it off.

+1 Better things to spend money on than a "specialty" tool for this.