[Closed] Setting handlebars

They dont have to be inline with the forks, just set them so there comfy

In line with the forks? Do you mean your stem in line with your front wheel?

must be something out there to help numpty's like me

I believe they call that paticular piece of equipment 'eyes'.

The stem shold line up with the front wheel and make sure your bars ends [if using a straight or riser bar] are level not sloping down at the rear as it affects the control of your bike plus can hurt you wrists too

Sorry should've said it's th egtting the stem in line with the front wheel bit, I set it up so it looks straight but when I get out and ride it looks off to the left so with the bars in the straight ahead position the bike steers slightly right. Was wondering if there's any fancy jig for setting this up

I remember a chap once theoriesing that with a long bit of string he could solve the issue. His plan was to tie a loop in each end of the strig that he could hook over the bars. He'd then hook both bits next to each other on the bars, pull it taught and mark the mid point. He'd then loop one end over each grip and then take the centre point of the long string behind the saddle.

He's claim was that when the centre mark, the seat post and the steerer line up, that bars are straight.

However, I've no idea if it actually ever worked, sorry.

Just close one eye as it will not help. I used to do this alot...
Now I just stand over the top tube and 'keeping both eyes open' and messure it from there.
Works fine.

strap a broom handle across the fork parallel with the bars. the longer it is the easier it is to spot.

and make sure your bars ends are level not sloping down at the rear as it affects the control of your bike plus can hurt you wrists too

I don't understand?

eyes are best...

but if you use string...

tie to seat post pull tight so is in middle - put tight to centre of stem/bar clamp - compare location of star nut bolt to string position...

if string is over centre then stem is straight - adjust accordingly if not

Could be that your stem isn't quite straight?

I had a dodgy Raceface stem that made the bars slightly off centre. Changed it for a better stem and problem solved!

rootes1 - Member
eyes are best...

but if you use string...

tie to seat post pull tight so is in middle - put tight to centre of stem/bar clamp - compare location of star nut bolt to string position...

if string is over centre then stem is straight - adjust accordingly if not

et voila! your stem is now pointing straight forwards, **** knows if the wheel is tho 😕

Surely the string needs to go bar-end <-> wheel <-> bar-end?

Since my Raleigh Boxer days, I've always done this by holding the front wheel between my knees and sighting that the bars are perpendicular. If they're not straight you'll soon tell and can tap 'em round, if you can't tell then they're straight enough.

Do it on a conveyor belt. It works then.

et voila! your stem is now pointing straight forwards, **** knows if the wheel is tho

yes that is where your second bit of string comes in to tie the front wheel to the frame.... lol

you need a third bit of string to....

I have seen someone do all that - what a faff..

seriously though just do it by eye - you will soon notice when you are riding if it is out and then you can tweak

have you tried just moving it a bit at at a time till it no longer feels like it is pulling one way.
Most people just do a sight test of this. It can help if you turn the wheel to say 45 degrees first as it can be easier to spot if it is slightly out. Seriously you should beable to get it within less than .5 of a degree by eye and accomodate this error your self.

My sarcastic answer is
Is it possible one arm is longer than the other hence the steering problem

i do it like this:
set it by eye, go for a ride notice that you have done it wrong engage multi tool do it how it should have been done the first time.