Clamp a 2x4 (anything with a straight edge) across the front and rear wheels to hold the front wheel straight. Measure from the end of the handlebars to the seatpost on both sides. Adjust as needed.
Tips for getting handlebars straight?
This may be a stupid question, but is there a good way to get handlebars straight? I keep having the nagging feeling that mine are tweaked to one side but when I eyeball it, it looks pretty straight... I've been looking down the sides of my stem to the sidewalls of my tires and been looking down my bars to the front edge of my fork... maybe I shouldn't worry about it but am wondering if somebody has a clever way to get them perfect-ish.
RideON!
Scott.
RideON!
Scott.
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
Don't most bars have some sort of markings in the center, so that you can eyball them against the stem?
If it looks straight but feels weird adjust so it feels right. It's pretty simple, bikes are easy to tweak. Just set it up how you like it.
Sounds like you are referring to the stem being straight, right?
I just eyeball my stem and make adjustments as needed.
ETA: Are you sure your stem isn't loosening during the ride?
I just eyeball my stem and make adjustments as needed.
ETA: Are you sure your stem isn't loosening during the ride?
I hear ya and thanks. Who knows, maybe one arm is longer than the other... I have a straight edge along the deck can tie the wheels to and measure.
RideON!
RideON!
Yeah, I mean my stem being straight. And she's tight enough, I'm just looking for a more accurate baseline to start from. Since I am a chronic bike tweaker and am always taking things apart, it is an issue pretty often and I'm not clever enough to mark anything position before disassembly...
I've discovered some pretty good misalignments while working on the bike that I never noticed while riding. Just eyeball it and you should be fine.
I like to line up the stem by looking down and lining up the edge of the stem with the edge of the tire (use 1 eye) and check both sides, A little practice to get the hang of it, Even your first time you'll usually get it on 2nd try.
Hold a 2x4 against the forks (at right angles to the wheel) and it makes aligning the bars a lot easier.
Perhaps you need to reconcile those points. Bike set-up is part science, part "whatever works for you".... the science gets ya in the ballpark, and ya tweak from there. You should be more attentive to how things are pre- and post- disassembly.... common sense prevails ftw.scocra said:Since I am a chronic bike tweaker and am always taking things apart, it is an issue pretty often and I'm not clever enough to mark anything position before disassembly...
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