Originally Posted by
wrk101
Learning on bikes can be a lot of fun. I would go out tomorrow and buy a $10 digital caliper (they are on sale at Harbor Freight). Accurately measuring part sizes is very important on vintage bikes. And without an accurate measurement, you will not be able to get the right parts (OK, you could get lucky a few times).
+1 on the digital caliper.
Some will give you decimal inches, fractional inches and decimal metric -- very handy.
I bought one of these a couple years ago and LOVE them; just as accurate as my high-dollar steel dial calipers but MUCH more flexible since they give inches, fractions AND metric. The batteries last for eons (the achillies heel of many inexpensive calipers) and I can't say enough good about them.
http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/html_p/C025013.htm
I bought them thinking they would be pretty cheesy and accurate enough for woodworking but not much else. I've been pleasantly surprised at how well they work. I found that I like the light weight, and since they are light and cheap they are always out on the bench so they get used often.
My $0.02. We are fortunate to have many options for inexpensive calipers; the important thing is to pick one and use it.
-Tom in SoCal