Laser alignment tool
04-03-18 | 03:06 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 17
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Laser alignment tool
I recently installed a shorter stem and was having issues getting things lined up. Eyeball it, torque it down properly, ride, repeat. Then it dawned on me I have a laser level. I hung it from a rafter pointing it down towards my stem and front wheel. This made quick work of getting things lined up. You can get one that will work for under $20 at any hardware store.
04-03-18 | 03:56 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,657
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
I just use a metal yard (meter?) stick. I align it edge-on along the center line of the stem and let it project over the front wheel. Adjust the stem until the stick bisects the front tire.
04-03-18 | 04:12 PM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,702
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From: Llano Estacado
Bikes: old clunker
Very informative! It never occurred to me that there is any other way than just eye-balling. Time to get out the old total station and check the alignment of my valve stem caps.
04-03-18 | 07:16 PM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,327
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From: Roswell, GA
Bikes: '93 Trek 750, '92 Schwinn Crisscross, '93 Mongoose Alta
I keep my stems and other controls "race tight" so that they hold under use and will (hopefully) give instead of injuring me in a spill. So I just put the wheel between my knees and eyeball the bars.
04-03-18 | 07:55 PM
#9
SE Wis
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,548
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From: Milwaukee, WI
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
04-03-18 | 09:30 PM
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,702
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From: Llano Estacado
Bikes: old clunker
04-05-18 | 12:13 PM
#11
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,167
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I'm not good at eyeballing this stuff. I do my best, and then, riding down the road, I see my stem is off to one side. Could you describe the laser technique in a bit more detail? I was thinking of making some kind of mechanical gauge.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
04-05-18 | 05:50 PM
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,862
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That isn't going to help you if the road gets rough. You really need to safety wire the bolts once they are torqued properly.
04-06-18 | 05:27 PM
#13
All Ass No Gas
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 136
Likes: 3
From: Azusa, Ca "Everything from A to Z in the U.S.A."
Bikes: 1988 Peugeot St. Laurent, 1974 UO18 Peugeot, 1985 P16 Peugeot, Roadmaster Ground Assult Mtn. Sport, Schwinn Traveler, 1986 Iseran Peugeot, Junet Mixte
I LOVE IT, Im always thinking of ways to make my own gadets and tools.
