09-26-2016, 04:49 AM
On our recent trip down the coast, I happened to look down at my handlebars while underway and noticed that they and the rest of the front end assembly were ever so slightly aiming to the right (maybe 2 degrees tops, but noticeable) even as I was moving in a perfectly straight line. I continued to check on every straightaway, and it definitely was out of alignment. Having recently had new tires put on, I had a look at the rear axle adjusters at the next stop to see if they were not adjusted equally on each side. Sure enough, if the indicator notches are anything to go by, it looked to me like the left (port) side of the rear axle was just ever so slightly forward of the right (starboard) side. Doing the geometry in my head, I imagined that having the rear wheel out of adjustment to the right would force the handlebars to settle at a similar angle to keep going in a straight line, resulting in the bike crabbing or yawing down the road ever so slightly.
Am I on the right track here? It seems a simple matter to loosen the rear axle, re-adjust to true, and snug it back down, and if I get it right the yaw should disappear, yes? Is there anything else I should be thinking of? I'll have a look at the chain and sprockets while I'm at it, hopefully no damage has been done...
Thanks as always for your kind guidance! - K
Am I on the right track here? It seems a simple matter to loosen the rear axle, re-adjust to true, and snug it back down, and if I get it right the yaw should disappear, yes? Is there anything else I should be thinking of? I'll have a look at the chain and sprockets while I'm at it, hopefully no damage has been done...
Thanks as always for your kind guidance! - K