Good Morning Rich.
Back in my shop days I fitted many people to new there new bikes, and quickly found that the "seeing the front axle" rule only applied to a small number of customers. More important factors were the level of bike handling skills, individual goals, and ridder comfort. The first step is getting the seat at both the right horizontal and vertical adjustment, then setting up the stem and handle bars. What do is install the handle bar and brake levers, then have the costumer sit on the bike while it's in a stand. If they are happy with the set up then I connect brakes and wrap they handle bars, and then finish the bike. This also saves time and work, as you are not redoing work if they are unhappy with it.
What I found was the most common requist was to raise the handle bars. Adults don't want to ride with a big bent in there backs. I have found the rule that says the seat and the handle bars should be on the same horizontal level to apply much more often. I hope this helps.
Tom HarrimanSan Francisco, Ca
> Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 19:51:41 -0800
> From: teaat4p@yahoo.com
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: [CR] Cockpit positioning question
>
> Ahoy !
>
> With respect to setting-up several bicycles of various sizes, I am seeking the "Wisdom of The List".
>
> May I ask please: Where does your front axle align with your handlebars/brake lever? That is: as viewed from the side, where does the front axle align fore-aft with respect to handlebars/brake lever?
> For instance: On one of my bikes, the axle aligns immediately behind where the brake cable passes through the brake lever body.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Richard Cielec
> Chicago, Illinois; U.S.A.