Agreed on the string test. I posted a no-tools evaluation at http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post14960754 that can provide a fairly clear picture of what is going on with a bike's overall alignment, as well as helping to isolate the problem area(s). It does require two properly dished wheels and should be done with tires mounted. I used this method many times in combination with measurementg to assist in evaluating frames without the need for disassembly or expensive gauges.

One thing I had not thought of is that with a digital camera and tripod one no longer needs quite the vision this used to require.