DIY front wheel stabilizer
 

I want to prevent front wheel flop, like when a bike is parked leaned on a street lamp, or when lifting the bike for storage hung from the ceiling. The goal is to keep the front wheel facing more or less straight ahead.

I am familiar with the Hebie stabilizer, which is a permanent solution that may do the trick.

For now I am inclined to simply use a bungee or some nylon webbing and fastex buckles to grab the front rim and the downtube.

There are probably better ideas floating around.

Please share if you are aware of something that'll do the job.

I use the stabilizer from Velo Orange (which is similar to the Hebie) on a few bikes, and it works well. The Velo ORANGE Blog: Wheel Stabilizer

If you don’t have a front fender, the old Rhode Gear flick stand worked well. You can still find a few around. GearInches.com » flickstand

The Flickstand was a neat "parking brake" but only fit round standard diameter downtubes. If your downtube is shaped or oversize they won't work.

While there was a second version of the Flick Stand allowing larger diameter frame tubing both suffered from the unit's soft plastic wearing such that the bail would become loose on it's pivot and not stay put. These were very sensitive to location distance from the tire and the tire's pressure level. I sold and serviced (straightened out/readjusted) dozens of Flick Stands and never really liked their design or reliability. Andy.

I have a fastex side release strap/buckle on my bike, now with a porteur rack ..
the strap is fixed to the frame , so its always handy..

old toe strap is ok threading the strap thru the buckle each time is a bit inconvenient.

flick stands and mudguards are not compatible..

My Koga WTR has a factory included 2nd kickstand beneath its Tubus low rider rack.. left side.
you can buy an accessory now from Tubus to combine with the Tara, that is a front wheel kickstand like that ..


(Lifting the bike for storage, awaiting service or pick up. in the Bike Shop,
is always done by hanging it from the rear wheel ..)






.......

I've accumulated Velcro straps over the years that came with other purchases. I use them for wheel flop and securing other parts of the bike when they are on the car rack. I find they work well and store easy. Put in saddle bag or just wrap around seat post for storage when not being used.

Some places want an arm and a leg for them, others like Walmart have them cheap.

Yes, I remember a somewhat larger diameter Flickstand that fit a 1-1/4" downtube along with the "standard" 1-1/8" downtube IIRC but beyond that and if the downtube wasn't round, they wouldn't work. And, again yes, I remember them wearing out rather quickly and not holding the bail in position.

Just for flop? I haven't tried this yet, but here's an idea that wouldn't have anything attached to the downtube, nothing to keep up with or buckle, not in the wind. I'd take a piece of tube rubber or other elastic and loop it tightly under the front brake mount (or attached to the brake bolt) and around the back of the fork under the crown race. Might need to rig a bracket to keep it from riding up to the head tube.

When stopped, just stretch it out and let it snap tight against the head tube. That should be enough to keep the wheel from flopping. I don't know how well this works - it should - but it would only take a minute to try it out.

edit: don't bother; I tried it and it didn't work very well.

One of the nice things about the Flickstand is that if you forgot to undo it when you ride off, it releases itself, unlike toe straps, Velcro and the like.

Yes, that self-canceling feature was a good one.

Years ago Blackburn sold a little plastic stepped wedge called a "Stop Block". You pulled the front brake lever and jammed this thing into the space between the top of the lever and the lever body which kept the brake clamped on. The several steps allowed it to fit snugly in whatever gap was available. It wouldn't immobilize the fork but did keep the wheel from rolling and would keep the bike stable if leaned against almost anything. It was super light and cheap but brifters usually weren't compatible with it.

I stumbled upon this while trying to find information about Flickstand. Apparently, it's no longer manufactured.

I bought this alternative: STEERSTOPPER Google it, I can't post links yet on this forum.

It works VERY well, even better than Flickstand! Easier and more convenient to use. I have it mounted on my Trek Step-thru frame. I have fenders, no problem!

The downside is it's a little expensive, but it's worth it.

seen those on a couple touring bikes last year..

https://steerstopper.com/product

https://bicycletouringpro.com/wp-con...10-896x615.jpg

Obviously way better than a mini bungee cord. Hit a bump in traffic and your life may flash before you.

Quick, easy, cheap:

http://www.os2.dhs.org/~john/rubber-band.jpg

Way too simple and light. Not gadgety enough; it doesn't need the extra cinch to keep the brake set or all the parts securely attached to the frame, and no sharp corners for your genitals in a bump. Also compatible with many different frame types and tubes -- and who wants that?

This is it, the bomdiggidiest!

I'm with JohnDThompson on this one. No need to over complicate it. Also a Velcro strap, re-usable zip tie, nylon strap, etc., works and can come in handy for other uses out on a ride.

JEEZUS, finally...:notamused: :D

And if you forget it's there, then the rubber band breaks... which is not a big problem, unless it hits someone in the eye. It can even be retied if accidentally broken.

A strip of 3/4" double-sided velcro tape can be used the same way as a rubber band, or can be used to hold the front brake lever down. The later doesn't prevent wheel flop but does prevent rotation, which is the problem when it comes to tip overs from a resting state against a pole, tree, etc. Wrap it around your stem or head tube to keep it out of the way but handy when not in use.

Ah, remember back when toe straps were ubiquitous enough to be used for all sorts of things, just like that?