What is the recommended, best method for setting the sliders on my Flaanimal 5.0 so the rear wheel is properly aligned (straight and centered) with the frame? I’ve looked around and haven’t found any instructions for this… maybe because it’s obvious to everyone else? I’ve come up with a method that seems to work (use calipers to measure position of slider bolt relative to the end of the slider slot and match on both sides) but I couldn’t help wondering if there’s a more elegant method.
And in what may be a related question – are the slider set screws just there for use with single-speed setups? Do they have any function/purpose when running a geared setup?
Hi Colby,
Setting the slider / wheel position is very easy. Your caliper method would be effective and also precise (when measuring from the front of the slider, but what I do and have always done is simply set one slider where I want it and leave the other slider loose, then center the tire between the two chainstays using the play in the non-torqued slider. When the wheel is where I want it I torque the other slider to spec and lock in my desired tire position. There is no functional need to be ultra precise with this measurement, the bike will track and ride perfectly straight even if you are slightly non-centered in either direction – we tested this extensively far before the bikes were ever put into production.
Set screws are mostly there for dialing in chain tension (or previously also belt tension), but they can be used to help micro adjust slider position. In theory they could provide some anti-slip if your sliders aren’t fully torqued, but many people don’t even run the set screws and have no issues with dropouts slipping if they are properly torqued. Do be sure to keep those set screws greased when in the frame so that corrosion doesn’t go to work on them.
-Stephen