Foolproof way to align handlebars with front tire?

How do you do it? anyone have a guaranteed way to quickly and easily align the bars with the front tire?

 

Lasers.

 

I just look at it. :?:
/smartass answer


actually I found one of these laying around the house last time

^t-square ruler

hung a string w/ weight off the end and over my front tire and aligned it from there.


Now I just look at it, it wasn't worth the hassle.

 

Instructions For Precision Front Tire Alignment

Tools Required:
3.5mm hex wrench
6 pack of Guiness
Park tool laser cut bottle opener

Instructions:
Step 1. Loosen 2 hex bolts at stem. DO NOT over-loosen the bolts. Stem should still have some grip on the steerer tube.
Step 2. Grab beer from 6 pack
Step 3. Open beer using Park Tool bottle opener
Step 4. Drink beer
Step 5. Repeat steps 2-5 five times for best results
Step 6. Sit on bike and carefully align centerline of the stem with the front tire. You may need to close one eye and tilt your head a few degrees to find the exact centerline.
Step 7. Torque hex bolts to spec.
Step 8. Take bike for a spin.

If for any reason this method doesn't work, try it again with a different brand of beer. Fat Tire and Widmer are also choice mechanical fluids.
:beer:

 

Well, if you don't have access to high power lasers, then this will work. However, I suggest a darker beer than suggested above. :beer:

 

Eyeball it!

Tools only complicate this. Intuition should tell you if something is a mm off. Ride w/ the stem just slightly loose so you can do the ol' kick it 'till it's straight routine. Torque it down when it's right.

 

Dont forget, If you close the right eye, stick the tongue out to the left. Vice versa. It is a natural point of balance. Make sure the head is straight and the nose is aligned with the center of the tire. If you have broken your nose, adjust to the angle of the break + or - 2 degrees.

 

Nice. Very nice!:bang:

 

Just giving a razz newpos. Sorry.:beer:

 

Yea, here too. I ALWAYS end up doing this (re-center) like two or three times, anytime I mess with my stem, headset, or spacers. I'm a bit anal when it comes to things like getting my bars / stem at 90 degrees to my wheel. Its just a matter of sighting down the top tube of your frame and your front wheel. It takes a little time. Just tighten your stem slightly, and then "nudge" your bars right or left until you are happy. Then tighten, using a torque wrench (idealy).

 

haha no harm no foul...

i considered doing this until i figured i'd look like an ass...:lol:


i'll probably end up bungie-cording the front wheel to the seat tube to straighten things out from there, just wondering if there was an easier way...

 

I could problably lace a wheel faster than I can align my handlebars :?:

But, one thing is for sure... When it's right, it definately feels right :bang:

 

Stand in front with the front wheel between your knees, use a crack in the sidewalk or slab in you garage as a plumb and try to keep the center strip of tread in between the face plate bolts. If none of this works for you call the path (714) 669-0784.

 

+1...quoted for posterity

 

This is my method but with Coors Original in hand.

If I am a little off I just go with it, you get used to it and your mind corrects for the slight difference in a few miles

 

Everyone forgot an the almighty important step of scratching your junk before you give the final twist on the bolts!!!

 

Not to get too technical, but with Coors original there is a 4.8 degree (+/-) tolerance. #-o
What happened to the good ol' days of putting your front tire between your legs and smacking your grip til it was right where you wanted it to be? Wait that was on my stingray. Nevermind, buy a laser and some beer! :beer:

 

[-X Note to self: Never borrow dirtymike's 5mm allen wrench.....

Come to think of it, you might not want to borrow mine either.... :lol:

 

take the wheel off, place the dropouts at the bottom of a wall. pick the back of the bike up until the handlebars touch the wall. tighten bolts as necessary.

oh, and drink a 6-pack while you do it for good measure :drunk:

 

Go with a dual crown fork and get direct mount stem:lol: