> Chuck Schmidt wrote on Measuring:
>
> For fork rake I have a plexiglas gage called a "Gabe Meter" made in
> Germany in the early 1980s that has a v-block (with magnets) on the back
> that attaches at the top of the fork leg that has a scale you read at
> the pointed end of the QR.
>
> For head angle and seat angle I use a 4' long metal straight edge along
> top tube and a draftsman's 14" adjustable triangle that has a degree
> scale on it to measure the angle.
>
> I think this is much more accurate than one of those angle finders that
> relies on leveling the top tube first (fluid filled, with floating pointer?).
>
> I also use the 4' metal straight edge and a vernier caliper to measure
> the BB drop.
>
> Anyone have a better method to measure fork rake, head and seat angle?
Other than wishing I had that Gabe meter, a good methodology, the Primary thing I do that is differently from the start is use a true set of wheels without tires.
I learned long ago that all top tubes are not level, tires have diameter variation, so a level base plane with a bare set of wheels shows not the intended but the actual.
For my subjective comparisons, front center distance and trail make the handling differences that I can feel.
I like large drop BB's for downhill stability but always want a higher one going into a corner on a level turn.
A good excuse to have more than one bike.
John Jorgensen
Palos Verdes Ca