Customer Reviews

Park Tool WAG-4 Professional Wheel Alignment Gauge

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What I do like about this gauge is that:
+ The black plastic blocks act as a stand-off from the rim, so the gauge can be used with a tire mounted and inflated (unless it's a **really** fat tire).
+ The blocks slide, so the gauge can be used with all sorts of rim sizes -- 29"/700c? No problem.
+ The tip of the feeler is "bent in" so that, in most cases, dish can be checked while the wheel is still mounted in the bike frame or fork, without removing the quick release. This makes it very convenient to use in conjunction with the Feedback Sports Truing Station, which requires the QR to be in place and secured (as if the wheel were mounted in the dropouts) while holding the wheel.

There are a couple of things I don't like:
- The knob used to secure the feeler gauge is just a friction lock. The feeler is a little wobbly, and the friction lock has to be adjusted "just right" so that the feeler can be moved with thumb pressure, but won't move on its own. I think I'd prefer some sort of threaded setup here so that I can position the feeler precisely, and it'll stay where I set it.
- The black plastic blocks slide a little too freely. Like the feeler, once I have these blocks set in place, I want them to stay where I set them.

Prior to picking up this WAG-4, I simply (and reliably) used the "flip-flop" method of checking for true / centering in my truing stand. This dishing gauge is more convenient than flipping the wheel during final check, but while I'm building up the wheel, I still prefer to true only to one side so still flip the wheel often during the build. Still, this is a good tool to have on the bench as the final check is more reliable, and because centering can be checked easily without ever removing the wheel from the bike.

I can't fault the tool. It is made of good quality and works fine. I just regret the purchase, because I realized I didn't really need the tool to build a wheel when you have a truing stand or at lease the pro stand. Once you true a wheel on a stand that is correctly aligned, the gauge becomes redundant. Live and learn.

The first time I used this otherwise nicely-made tool it was apparent that the knob that secures the depth feeler was difficult to adjust "just right" so that the feeler didn't move when I secured it for depth. I added a stainless steel 10 mm I.D. washer between the knob and the feeler and that solved the problem (the washer fits exactly within the recess in which the feeler slides). I can now adjust the knob so that the feeler slides easily for depth, and then tighten the knob just a bit to hold the feeler without it moving off the depth setting. A 17 cent fix that I would recommend you try.

P.S. (The manual doesn't mention that the slider blocks can be secured for width by slightly tightening the screws on the bottom).

This is a great & necessary tool for checking the dish of a bicycle wheel. I have seen them cheaper but this price wasn't bad.

If ever you're worried about your wheel dishing, this tool is for you! Wherever this supplier gets his tools from, I can review this product sold by him as totally awesome! Not to mention the product still retains the original paperwork instructing you, the buyer, of the tools assembly and use, not to mention the paperwork on the warranty offered by Park tool. I would buy from this supplier again for my wheel builds, as should you! Five stars, my friends!