share your wisdom on aligning the stem angle
01-09-15 | 02:23 PM
#1
Thread Starter
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From: NYC+NNJ
Bikes: i don't have a bike. a few frames, forks and some parts. that's all
share your wisdom on aligning the stem angle
what's your brilliant tip to have the stem angle completely straight to the fork facing?
(in other words: how to keep the handlebar angle perfectly perpendicular to the front wheel?)
knowing nothing other than eyeballing and was wondering if there's any scientific wisdom on such.
pictured here is a long overdue Parkpre Catalyst build.
the original CrMo stem has been put via Hatta Swan headset. it's coming along one at a time.
(in other words: how to keep the handlebar angle perfectly perpendicular to the front wheel?)
knowing nothing other than eyeballing and was wondering if there's any scientific wisdom on such.
pictured here is a long overdue Parkpre Catalyst build.
the original CrMo stem has been put via Hatta Swan headset. it's coming along one at a time.
01-09-15 | 02:29 PM
#3
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From: Madison, Wis.
I just put my feet on either side of the front wheel and my hands on the handlebar and use my sense of feel as much as my eyes.
But the way to measure it is to run string through the stem and between the fork ends. I'm not sure it actually yields a more precise result
But the way to measure it is to run string through the stem and between the fork ends. I'm not sure it actually yields a more precise result
01-09-15 | 02:32 PM
#4
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From: Cork, Ireland
Bikes: 1989 Moser Leader Pro, 1978? Flandria, Batavus Professional AMEV, Gios Compact Pro, 1968? Frejus Tour de France, 1972 Peugeot Touring?, 1976 Flandria Tour?, 2013 Kuota Kharma, 2010 BeOne Raw, 2013 Kenesis Pro6, 2009 GT Aggressor, 2011 Trek Fuel Ex8.
Could use a plumb line if you wanted to be real fastidious about it, but seems to work fine just using the old fashioned stand over the front wheel and eyeball the SOB method.
01-09-15 | 02:35 PM
#5
Aspiring curmudgeon
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From: Saint Louis
Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti
Remove the front wheel. Tie a plumb line (or DIY one with a string and something heavy) to the stem. Measure the distance between the fork ends and the line, and adjust until they're equal.
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01-09-15 | 02:41 PM
#8
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From: Northeast, USA
Bikes: 2015 All-City Spacehorse, 2014 Specialized Allez Race, Mid 80s Takara Acknowledge Fixed Gear
Put a wheel in your fork
Affix a piece of wood centered on both your wheel rim and your stem's underside
Place a level on the wood
Adjust to perfection
Affix a piece of wood centered on both your wheel rim and your stem's underside
Place a level on the wood
Adjust to perfection
01-09-15 | 03:20 PM
#10
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Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
I use this limited edition Park optical stem alignment tool:
Ref: Park Tool Number STA-007.
Works a treat too!
Easy to use!.....You put it over one eye and use the other eye to sight down the side of the stem to align with the sides of the wheel rim and tire below it......
Ref: Park Tool Number STA-007.
Works a treat too!
Easy to use!.....You put it over one eye and use the other eye to sight down the side of the stem to align with the sides of the wheel rim and tire below it......
01-09-15 | 03:42 PM
#11
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From: Fredericksburg, Va
Bikes: ? Proteous, '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, 'Litespeed Catalyst'94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster
Dave Moulton's approach: Dave Moulton's Blog - Dave Moulton's Bike Blog
01-09-15 | 03:58 PM
#12
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: NYC+NNJ
Bikes: i don't have a bike. a few frames, forks and some parts. that's all
I use this limited edition Park optical stem alignment tool:
Ref: Park Tool Number STA-007.
Works a treat too!
Easy to use!.....You put it over one eye and use the other eye to sight down the side of the stem to align with the sides of the wheel rim and tire below it......
Ref: Park Tool Number STA-007.
Works a treat too!
Easy to use!.....You put it over one eye and use the other eye to sight down the side of the stem to align with the sides of the wheel rim and tire below it......
01-09-15 | 04:26 PM
#14
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From: Utah
I use the eyeball-it approach... usually sighting out of one eye, and then the other, will let you get it there.
But in this case, you may want to use something more technically sound, as the incredible badassitude of that splatterpainted stem and fork is likely to melt your ability to perceive anything reliably.
But in this case, you may want to use something more technically sound, as the incredible badassitude of that splatterpainted stem and fork is likely to melt your ability to perceive anything reliably.
01-09-15 | 04:54 PM
#15
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From: South Holland, NL
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Turn the fork so the wheel is at 90 degrees with the TT (easy to see) and align the bars with the TT (also easy to see). The operative word is 'easy'.
01-09-15 | 05:41 PM
#17
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
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Best? not have to be super tight, should still Move some.. on Fresh Bike builds I use a signpost and tap it with the wheel ..
if the bars dont line up with the axle and the stem Reach is not inline with the tire.. on the test ride.
if the bars dont line up with the axle and the stem Reach is not inline with the tire.. on the test ride.
01-09-15 | 06:40 PM
#18
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From: northern michigan
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
That brought back childhood memories. We always left some play in the stem to readjust after crashes and falls.
01-09-15 | 07:11 PM
#19
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From: on the beach
Bikes: '73 falcon sr, '76 grand record, '84 davidson
i'm gonna guess that one eye is more dominant, so eye-balling it is better suited for personal use than using a precise method that might look a bit off when riding.
i'd rather it look/feel right, rather than be precise.
getting the levers perfectly aligned takes a lot longer. for that, i use a broom handle and tape measure.
i'd rather it look/feel right, rather than be precise.
getting the levers perfectly aligned takes a lot longer. for that, i use a broom handle and tape measure.
01-09-15 | 07:27 PM
#21
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From: Berkeley, CA
Bikes: 72 Cilo Pacer, 72 Gitane GT, 72 Peugeot PX10, 73 Speedwell Ti,l, 75 Peugeot PR-10L, 80 Colnago Super, 81 Zinn, 85 ALAN Cross, 85 De Rosa Pro, 86 Look 753, 86 Look KG86, 89 Parkpre Team, 90 Parkpre Team MTB, 90 Merlin
Dave Moulton's approach: Dave Moulton's Blog - Dave Moulton's Bike Blog
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-Randy
'72 Cilo Pacer (x2) • '72 Peugeot PX10 • ‘72 Gitane Gran Tourisme • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Motobecane Grand Jubile • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • ‘80 Colnago Super • ‘81 Univega Super Special • ‘82 Zinn • ‘84ish Mystery Custom • '85 A.L.A.N Cyclocross • '85 De Rosa Pro • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
-Randy
'72 Cilo Pacer (x2) • '72 Peugeot PX10 • ‘72 Gitane Gran Tourisme • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Motobecane Grand Jubile • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • ‘80 Colnago Super • ‘81 Univega Super Special • ‘82 Zinn • ‘84ish Mystery Custom • '85 A.L.A.N Cyclocross • '85 De Rosa Pro • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
01-13-15 | 12:40 AM
#23
I AM AI
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Tucson, AZ
Bikes: 2008 S-Works Roubaix SL, 1979 Raleigh Comp GS, 1978 Schwinn Volare
Wow. I was gonna post this exact thread a couple of days ago and didn't get to it. Glad I'm not the only one!
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
01-13-15 | 01:06 AM
#24
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My bikes hang from the front wheel or rear wheel on hooks. The wheels stay basically plumb if it's sitting on the hook correctly and it's obvious if it isn't. I tend to stare at the ones that are hanging and can notice the stem being off angle pretty easily. They are also not hung very high so I can reach up and adjust if needed.
