Confirming wheel / fork / caliper alignment?

N4teTheGreat · Jun 13, 2018

I'm a bit of a bike-ochondriac. I got new tires installed, bike felt fine on the ride to work after (50 miles at around 80 - 90 mph). However after comparing videos of wheel spin times to what I saw when they were finishing up I think there might be too much drag on the front of the bike.

I don't have a front stand, but I'm wondering if I can still make sure everything is aligned via the following steps

1. loosening the axle pinch bolts to allow to bounce the bike and ensure the axle is seated properly

2. with the axle pinch bolts proper tightened again, loosening the caliper bolts, applying pressure to the brakes a few times while walking the bike and then tightening the bolts while pressure on the calipers in maintained to ensure they are aligned correctly

Does this seem logical or should I just book time somewhere I can use a lift and a front stand?

appliance821 · Jun 13, 2018

#1 is the right thing to do - as Wilford Brimley would say. (10nm w lithium based grease)

Don't see the purpose of #2. The calipers can't be put on out of alignment, and disc brakes self adjust, unless they're sticking. The pads are in constant contact, though lightly, with the disk, so unless you really feel it's binding, I wouldn't worry.

If they are binding, check fluid levels, and maybe you'll have to clean and lube (brake fluid) the pistons.

N4teTheGreat · Jun 13, 2018

Got it, I stick with #1 then. I was watching a video from Dave Moss where he suggests doing #2 for the calipers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYHV78tWs1c&feature=youtu.be) but it could be that ours are keyed, I've never taken them off myself.

kuksul08 · Jun 13, 2018

I always align the front end and settle it and tighten it without the brakes attached. Then, attach the calipers and hold the front brake while tightening the calipers which will let them self-center.

N4teTheGreat · Jun 13, 2018

Got it, while I'm sure this would be easier with a front stand, I'm pretty sure this is something I can do with the wheel on the ground?

appliance821 · Jun 13, 2018

N4teTheGreat said:
Got it, I stick with #1 then. I was watching a video from Dave Moss where he suggests doing #2 for the calipers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYHV78tWs1c&feature=youtu.be) but it could be that ours are keyed, I've never taken them off myself.

Good vid. Though I've never run into a misaligned caliper on this bike, that seems a straighforward failsafe. I'll do that up the road. live and learn.

If you note, when he spins the wheel you can hear the slight touch of the pads on the disk.

I'd think you could do it just using the sidestand. It might be best to have someone hold the bike upright after squishing down the suspension, while you tighten the bolts. Don't know how you'd spin the wheel though to check everything out.

N4teTheGreat · Jun 13, 2018

Yeah, I suppose I should just leave it for now. It rode all the way to work fine so if anything is actually out of whack it can't be that bad.

appliance821 · Jun 14, 2018

If you're riding comfy at 90mph, I'd say things are good.

A decent front stand shouldn't be too much if you want to check stuff down the road. With a center stand I just weight up the rear until the front wheel is lifted.

Learned some good "best practices" stuff from this thread so cheers to you and kuksul.

N4teTheGreat · Jun 14, 2018

Seems that way! I'm getting roughly 30 - 35 mpg which is around what I was getting before so yeah, things seem good enough. I'll likely pick up a front stand in the future (challenge there is storage since I just rent a spot in a garage) if for no other reason than to be able to appease my worrying

Confirming wheel / fork / caliper alignment?

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