bikerbobbbb

For daily riding, not for repairs. When I hop off my bike, I want to quickly connect something that will keep the handlebars straight. I'm sick of the handlebars swiveling to the left or right. I've got a basket on the front, so there's more weight that way.

I've got one of these Park tool handlebar things...
https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-HBH.../dp/B000QSXPL2
Park Tool HBH-2 Handle Bar Holder

That's ok. Fine for repairs. It's a pain to attach though. I ended up just tying it off instead of messing with the velcro. I'm not sure what they were going for with that.

That's freestanding though. And bright blue. I can't really attach it to my bike.

I was thinking something with bunjee cables might work. If a long bunjee cable was attach on far ends of the handlebars and went around the bike seat post, it might have enough tension to hold the handlebars straight. I messed with it a bit one day but didn't get anything. With that idea, I hop off the bike, attach one cable, and the handlebars stay straight.

I've got a double kickstand, but even with that, if the handlebars swing one way or the other, it's enough of a weight shift to potentially tip over the bike. In a couple places where I park my bike I make a point to have the handlebars swiveling one way and pressing into something solid so the bike is stable.

Does anything like this exist to easily keep the handlebars straight for normal use parking, something quick and easy? If it's not quick and easy, it won't be done. It would be worth the extra little effort though for getting the handlebars to stay straight while parked. It's not quite the same level of annoyance when that happens when parking the bike as when trying to work on the bike, but it's frequent which adds up.

sarahbruce

There is a product made for this specific purpose- VO Wheel Stabilizer
I tried one a few years ago and wasn't really impressed, but other user have been happy with them.
Bruce

bikeman715

Try using a bungee cord thou the frame and hook to the front wheel should keep the handlebar straight for you . by the way it is normal for the wheel / handlebar to turn one way or another when you park the bike .

FBOATSB

I just cut a strip of old innertube to tie on. the price was right....

Bill Kapaun

I use one for my grocery getter.
It works.

HillRider

Years ago Rhode Gear sold a gadget called the "Flickstand" that was a parking brake/front wheel stabilizer that did work well. It's limitation was it only fit round downtubes in standard diameters.

Here are a bunch of pictures of them: https://www.google.com/search?q=flic...Q5f2M2kVWp3GM:

dsbrantjr

I have them on my bikes and like them a lot. I managed to score the entire stock of an LBS which was going out of business. They are currently available on EBay for what are (to me) exorbitant prices. But, a great product and I keep hoping someone brings them back.

dsbrantjr

The bungees work but it kind of sucks when you forget about them and try to pedal away. Don't ask how I know this.

bikeman715

Yes I agree , I was just making a suggestion for him to try .

TimothyH

A piece of velcro around the front wheel and downtube.


-Tim-

79pmooney

Toestrap through the wheel and over the downtube is a trick mechanics have been doing forever.

Ben

JohnDThompson 

And it only works if your bike doesn't have fenders.

canklecat

This. I usually tote a coupleafew bungee cords in my grocery panniers on my errand bike; and a long Velcro strap for situations where there's no handy place to hook the bungee cords. Besides stabilizing the front wheel I use the bungee cords to lash the frame to the improvised lockup points so the bike doesn't flop around during loading/unloading. Usually I park and lock to the shopping buggy rack closest to the front door. I'll use a bungee on the front and rear, wrapped around the buggy corral, to keep things steady. Helps when fetching really heavy stuff, like jugs of cat litter, etc.

I'll also bungee or Velcro-strap the bike to the city bus bike rack. The bike rack arm hooks have bungee cords inside but are often worn out and not secure. And an extra bungee cord or strap should slow down a would-be thief if someone tries a grab and go at a bus stop.

Snuts

A band of stick-on Velcro for a base. Which makes the One-Wrap now a one handed operation. Also stores upon itself. I use this on my Touring bike with a wishbone stand. Nice for loading, or parking anywhere.

Hope this helps.

-Snuts-

tyrion

That's what I use. Just keep it in a figure-eight around the top tube and head tube when riding.

Slash5

I clicked on this thread expecting that to be the first and only answer.

corrado33

I clicked on this thread and expected THIS to be the one and only answer. I mean, it's what the product was designed for....

Literally the first sentence describing it.

blakcloud

Accept, have you ever tried them? I used them on two bikes with porteur racks and let me tell you they were quite useless. My first foray was using them stock with the adjustable tension knob with was useless. I then had tabs brazed on to my frame to eliminate and slip on the downtube. The springs are too weak at best but maybe they are not meant for anything with a rack on front. I have since sold the bikes but still have these in my part drawer, most likely never to be used again. They may work for some but I never had good luck. When they racks were loaded the bike would fall over all the time.

corrado33

Interesting. (BTW, nice bike, beautiful color/paint). However, in the picture it seems the spring isn't loaded at all, where as in the picture on their site the spring is at least a bit loaded (stretched.) (You can see light through the coils.)

You said that the original clamp on mount was useless, was that because you tried to stretch the spring and it made the clamp slip?

caloso

Toe strap. Or velcro cable bundler. https://www.amazon.com/Reusable-Stra...-1-spons&psc=1

3alarmer 

...

bikerbobbbb

Thanks. I'm leaning toward velcro now. It sounds firmer. I've tried bunjees for a few days, but the ones I have can be a little work. If I get some foam pads for handling over areas and tie those down with velcro, I can get a longer strap for the wheel too.

Otherwise the VO Wheel Stabilizer sounds interesting too.

bikerbobbbb

The VO stabilizer stays on all the time?

I was searching for some videos. The angle on that looks like it wouldn't pull a lot or would take a lot of force (potentially bad spot for a spring to pop back at you). I noticed with bunjees lower on the frame and wheel kept the wheel in place better.

Bill Kapaun

The Velo Orange one works if no "loaded" front racks etc. (I assume)
Mine works fine with a fender only.
I've since gone to a double legged kick stand, which eliminated my bike wanting to flop on its side when loading the rear baskets.
The Velo Orange one helped, but not enough.
I have to have my baskets set far back because of my long feet, and the weight in the baskets unloaded the front wheel and FLOP.

corrado33

Yes, it stays on all of the time.