Frame Alignment Questions

[randonneur]

I'd eventually love to have one of those self-centering/dummy-axle/rear-drop-out-locating thingy I see on so many builder's tables but I figure they must have a better name than "centering/dummy-axle/rear-drop-out-locating thingy." What is it? And where can I get one?

Alex Whetmore calls it a frame and fork alignment gauge. Maybe he'll make more at some point.

[Will Outlaw]

Nah, wise words as always, Richard.

I was actually thinking about your very point quite a bit.

The very short answer is I just didn't know what that bit of kit was called and I'm a curious guy.

I'm a translator by nature. I can take computer programmer speak and make artists understand, and vice versa. Or explain aerodynamics to dogs. (They just aren't that interested, but look at you politely while you do it.) So knowing the lingo is important.

The longer answer is that down the road I'd like an easier way to accurately hold the rear drops/chainstays where I want 'em than I have been using, which is basically a couple of pieces of angle with some threaded rod serving as a dummy axle clamped to the front triangle. Works great but it's a bit of a pain. :-)

Can I just inject some levity here atmo?
We're all pals here. Asshat me - I can take it!

That is one humungous piece of device there and I am sure Drew loves it to death, uses it, and has no monthly payments on it. But with so few frames made, what exactly do you think it will do for you? The question is rhetorical, and for anyone. Fire back. I can take it, and I am happy to be wrong too. You've made, what - five frames? Note - it's the Central Coast 2009 Pinot typing so I'll need spell check here. You guys have to get through some basics, and some repetition, and a lot of boring skill drills before you have tools like that as part of your repertoire.
Downsize The Fantasy | RICHARD SACHS CYCLES

[Mike Mcdermid]

How accurate does a frame need to be ??

[cfrisia]

that question makes me want to build a frame that has components like head tube and dropouts purposly 5mm out of plane and measure the necessary power input for various riding situations in a wind tunnel with an SRM system and compare it with a frame aligned on one of those NASA-spec tables

[e-RICHIE]

How accurate does a frame need to be ??

that question makes me want to build a frame that has components like head tube and dropouts purposly 5mm out of plane and measure the necessary power input for various riding situations in a wind tunnel with an SRM system and compare it with a frame aligned on one of those NASA-spec tables

I built many, many, MANY frames that were out of alignment atmo -
http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum...tml#post294158
The short of it is that you can ride anything, and anything will work.
But misalignments will cause body parts and drive trains to wear prematurely.

[Jonathan]

How accurate does a frame need to be ??

And the other 1/2 of this is how straight can you make it after its built? Barring a crash or something like that I sort of think you get one shot to make it something approaching straight. Do it as best you can and move on is my motto.

[Mike Mcdermid]

I built many, many, MANY frames that were out of alignment atmo -
http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum...tml#post294158
The short of it is that you can ride anything, and anything will work.
But misalignments will cause body parts and drive trains to wear prematurely.

sorry richard it was a tongue in cheek remark

I have seen inspection departments with less hardware than some of the Fb's

[e-RICHIE]

sorry richard it was a tongue in cheek remark

I have seen inspection departments with less hardware than some of the Fb's

Oh -
On the internet everyone is Henny Youngman atmo!

[bencooper]

How accurate does a frame need to be ??

Exactly. And equally, how important is it to be able to quantify how straight it is? The old boy I learned from thought frame straightness was binary - either a frame was straight or it was squint. I've got no idea what numbers that related to, but he could eyeball a frame to 1/16" (I checked once).

The wheels should be in the same plane*, and the chainset should be in a parallel plane to this. Get close to that and it'll ride fine.

*And actually I'm not convinced by this either - I've ridden recumbents like the Burrows Ratcatcher where the rear wheel was several inches off the centre line. It had no noticeable effect.