Stem alignment tool

[C R]

Plenty of the cheap ones that clip onto the handlebars and shine a thin line of light onto the tyre for alignment
View attachment 816095
Just search for Bicycle handlebar alignment tool in your favourite search engine.

Edit - if turned round the other way they also shine the light on the seat so you can check that's in line as well.

Never even occurred to me to check if such a tool existed. Thank you, I have one on order now.

 

[rogerzilla]

Plenty of the cheap ones that clip onto the handlebars and shine a thin line of light onto the tyre for alignment
View attachment 816095
Just search for Bicycle handlebar alignment tool in your favourite search engine.

Edit - if turned round the other way they also shine the light on the seat so you can check that's in line as well.

I have a bridge to sell you!

 

[Rusty Nails]

It is estimated that some 35% of people have arms of slightly different length (between 0.5 and 1.5 cms out). These people probably don't need the handlebars set exactly at 90° to the direction of the wheels.

 

[Webbo2]

It is estimated that some 35% of people have arms of slightly different length (between 0.5 and 1.5 cms out). These people probably don't need the handlebars set exactly at 90° to the direction of the wheels.

In general one is advised to have your arms bent at the elbows when cycling. So even at a difference of 1.5 cm you ain’t going to notice.😉

 

[PeteXXX]

My dad always used to stand over the front wheel, clamp it between his legs and yank at the handlebars until it 'looked about right'.
No tools were ever necessary.

He taught me everything I needed to know, bless him...

 

[Drago]

My dad always used to stand over the front wheel, clamp it between his legs and yank at the handlebars until it 'looked about right'.
No tools were ever necessary.

He taught me everything I needed to know, bless him...

And he managed it while you were riding the bike!

 

[Webbo2]

My dad always used to stand over the front wheel, clamp it between his legs and yank at the handlebars until it 'looked about right'.
No tools were ever necessary.

He taught me everything I needed to know, bless him...

The above is still very common in Professional cyclocross races when they crash also bashing the Brifters with one’s fist to get it lined up.
These tool things are overrated.

 

[PeteXXX]

And he managed it while you were riding the bike!

Highly skilled 'Fixer of all Stuff', my dad! 😋

 

[Gillstay]

My partners bike has a stuck stem so I keep throwing releasing fluid at it and trying to halfheartedly loosen it. Its only a bit off,

but when you ride it knowing it wont move I find I just accept it and carry on.

 

[scotsbikester]

Edit - if turned round the other way they also shine the light on the seat so you can check that's in line as well.

I kept (re-)aligning my saddle as it felt out of line. It looked perfectly aligned every time I tried it.

Then I realised that it wasn't the saddle that was more on one side than the other...

 

[Milzy]

Hi. My tool arrived. Although I can pick out the centre of the tire the line runs out as it goes down the tire length. How queer?

 

[Seevio]

Hi. My tool arrived. Although I can pick out the centre of the tire the line runs out as it goes down the tire length. How queer?

I suspect this may connected to the fact that light is famous for going in straight lines while wheels are generally regarded as being circular.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Hi. My tool arrived. Although I can pick out the centre of the tire the line runs out as it goes down the tire length. How queer?

It only works properly on stems. 😆

 

[Sharky]

Was there any discrepancy between this and the "by eye" method?

 

[Milzy]

Was there any discrepancy between this and the "by eye" method?

I can honestly say the by eye method is just as good. £15 wasted could have bought beers instead FFS.