Is my stem straight . . .?

[moonlite]

On a few recent rides using different bikes, I have started to become obsessed that my stem is a couple of degrees 'off' to the left or right, thus putting my handlebars at a slight angle rather than nice and straight, 90 degrees to the top tube and wheels.

The more I look, the more it seems wrong, although not definitively enough to be absolutely sure. Yesterday I stopped trailside and used my tools to loosen the stem in an attempt to rectify the issue. Again, the more I fiddled with it, the more unsure I was that it was straight. In the end, I over-straightened it and rode home convinced it was now slightly rotated the other way.

It's a minor issue but its recurrence on two different bikes has me wondering:

a) Do you fall victim to this kind of irksome mental bug regarding your bikes?

b) Do you have sure-fire method of ensuring your stems are straight, your cockpit is perfectly aligned, and your mind free to enjoy the great outdoors?

Please help. This could be the beginning of a descent into madness.

 

[greencat]

Always relied on the grip the front wheel with knees and line up technique. It's always looked and ridden right enough.

I believe, but have never watched them, there are techniques and tools demonstrated on youtube for the similarly afflicted to your good self.

Alternatively, if this is a recent obsession perhaps its indicative of something else where you perhaps have less control and is a reaction to it. A smart scolding, "shut up brain - what a daft thing to worry about" repeated a few times when I get the urge is sometimes enough to snap me out of similar issues.

 

[moonlite]

Always relied on the grip the front wheel with knees and line up technique. It's always looked and ridden right enough.

I believe, but have never watched them, there are techniques and tools demonstrated on youtube for the similarly afflicted to your good self.

Alternatively, if this is a recent obsession perhaps its indicative of something else where you perhaps have less control and is a reaction to it. A smart scolding, "shut up brain - what a daft thing to worry about" repeated a few times when I get the urge is sometimes enough to snap me out of similar issues.

Haha -- I also use the knees / front wheel technique but the 'shut up brain' approach will probably be more useful.

 

[grantoury]

I do sometimes look down on my stem and keep doubting myself its straight. But after checking and checking again I know its straight, even if it looks as if it isn't. I turn the wheel at an angle to the bike, this makes the angle more obvious to the eye. (A tip from my more than excellent local builder; m-gineering.nl)

 

[TreaderSteve]

When looking down from above I shut one eye at a time - I find this highlights if it's on the pi$$ slightly more one way than the other. No need for a descent into madness!

 

[d8mok]

I’ve never understood why fork manufacturers don’t add some sort of central mark to steerers , which can be lined up with a corresponding mark on the stems.

 

[Imlach]

I literally don't think anything about my bikes are straight.