Alternative to Velo Orange Wheel Stabilizer

[Bob B]

Besides what the subject says...

I'm looking for a solution to wheel tippage while using a regular kickstand that:

• Does not require you to do anything (e.g.: flick down a flickstand)
• Isn't dangerous
• Looks cleaner/simpler than the VO product.
• Lasts a while so I can forget it's there
• Can be a DIY solution

Include pics on your bike if you have a good setup!

Thanks,

Bob B.

Brooklyn, NY

[Patrick Moore]

+1. I use my bike/bikes for grocery shopping -- wheel them into the aisles -- and few things in this world are more annoying than trying to strap your pannier or saddlebag closed in a busy grocery store with the front wheel flopping back and forth and the bike trying to slip and fall under your and passers'-by feet. ("Passer-byes' feets? Passer's by's feet's? Passers' bys' feets'? help!).

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Patrick Moore

Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum

[Ian A]

I use a toe clip strap to lock the front brake lever. If the wheel can't roll, the bike wont fall when loading/unloading panniers. 

IanA

[Steve Cole]

Bob,

My solution probably doesn't meet your requirements, but boy does it do what you want.  It's a commercial product called a SteerStopper [https://steerstopper.com].  It holds my front wheel complete straight and firmly whenever I engage it. It doesn't meet your need to not do anything to make it work.  In the case of the SteerStopper, you simply lower the retracted ball arm, which is attached to the stem and insert it in the holder attached to the top tube.  It took about 10 minutes to install.

 I use it for three purposes.  First, whenever I engage the kickstand, I use it as it makes the bike much more stable.  Second, I use it when I carry my bike in a roof rack.  Lifting the bike is much easier and placing the wheels in the tray is straightforward and without fuddling with the front wheel.  Finally, I use it when I store my bike, which involves lifting the bike to a vertical position and hanging it from a hook.

I don't think I would ever have another bike without this.  And I have no relationship with the company beyond being a loyal customer.

Steve Cole

Arlington, VA

[Bill Lindsay]

Another product that fails to meet the "no user action required" requirement is a Shimano headset locker for city bikes.  Google "HP-NX10 headset locker".  I haven't used that product.  I use velcro straps when I need to prevent wheel flop.  I leave the right length velcro strap permanently attached to each of my two tandems, which are the bikes that most require this kind of thing.  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Jack Barnes]

The 'Headset Locker' seems like a great solution, if you have enough extra length on your steerer tube.

[Patrick Moore]

This is brilliant. I must order one, assuming they have it for 1" threaded headsets, and that I have enough room for the spacer mount. 

The Shimano locking headset would also be an option, but installation is more involved and, I assume, more problematical? 2003 Ultegra cartridge headset for 1" threaded steerer?

$99 versus, what, $40? Tho' I don't see the Shimano device for sale currently.

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[Josh Brown]

voile straps work well but of course don't meet at least two of the requirements op listed

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[Tom Wyland]

I had a bike with that Shimano headset lock.  It really was brilliant. I bought a spare from a list member, I thought? Maybe it was ibob. It doesn't look very nice and isn't very weatherproof, though.

My current solution is a Nite-Ize gear tie.  It goes through the wheel and around the downtube.  It is a little less fussy than straps because you can poke it through the wheel without having to fish it through with your fingers.  

Tom

[Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY]

+1 for velcro straps. Every bike has one wrapped around the handlebar. Use it to hold your front brake lever and B.O.B.'s your uncle!

-Kai

[Patrick Moore]

For me, at any rate, the flip-down/flip-up Steer Stopper would be useful in the grocery store to momentarily park your bike against the soup cans or Orowheat while shopping. Not sure it's worth $100 to me, but it's worth thinking about.

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