Why does the front (handlebars and front wheel bits) wobble terribly when I let go of handlebars to cycle (only really done it today to adjust cap and to see if I can still pretend to be young). Now my balance was still damned good must be said but front of bkke wobbled / shook terribly.. Not veer right and left but shook??
Wobbling??
- Thread starter wissy
- Start date
There could be several reasons for this. If the weight distribution of your bike is poor, with too much weight at the back, this could be one cause. The other thing is that in general, steering geometry [rake and trail] have changed a bit since we were young. The plus side is that steering now tends to be "quicker". The downside is that some of the built in stability is lost, making it much harder to ride a bike "no Hands".
doesn't do it at all when barely holding the bike.. Then I suppose you naturally lean back and straighten back to do handsfree mode so guess something happens to what you call geometry then after all.
Does it a. Happen or b. Not happen on your bikes?
Does it a. Happen or b. Not happen on your bikes?
Rake and Trail.http://www.seegercycle.com/Rake-and-Trail.aspx
This article is more bout motorcycles, but the principles are the same. Try Google for more articles if you still don`t "get it".
This article is more bout motorcycles, but the principles are the same. Try Google for more articles if you still don`t "get it".
Many modern bikes do it. I thinks the idea is to give the bike somewhat quicker steering as opposed to the older more relaxed approach.
Some would call it more sporty. It's not a fault with the bike just a characteristic.
Sorry about the cake error.
My fifteen year old son uses my xtra-cycle cargo bike for his paper round and cycles it effortlessly with no hands, yet I'm well wobbly when I try it.
I used to cycle no hands regularly when I was a nipper so I assume my balance is deteriorating with age.
I used to cycle no hands regularly when I was a nipper so I assume my balance is deteriorating with age.
D
Deleted member 4366
Guest
Their bikes are set up for more straight line stability because they don't need quick steering. It's the fashion for MTBs to have these characteristics so that you can steer round all the off-road obstacles.
Something in that, there's a video of Peter Sagan riding his bike on to the bonnet and then roof of his support car to park it on the rack.The other answer of course is that they are better bike riders than me
D
Deleted member 4366
Guest
All the riding skill in the world can't help you. The wobbling comes from the steering geometry. As soon as you let go of the handlebars on these bikes, they flap from side to side until you fall off. How much it does that depends on the design of the bike.The other answer of course is that they are better bike riders than me
I have seen a video somewhere of the finish if a bicycle road race. One guy is within ten yards of the finish line, when he takes his hands off the bars, and extends his arms upwards in a sort of victory salute. First he wobbles, then ends up coming a gutser. The guy behind him wins the race. The moral is, don`t count your chickens until they are hatched.
One of my favourite motorcycles was the Yamaha Virago 535. I owned two at different times. They were a chopper style of bike with raked forks, and wide handlebars. Handling was very relaxed. One day I had a guy run out onto the road to pick something up, may have been roadkill. I managed to swerve around him, although I was doing about 60 MPH. I do remember that it took a great deal of muscular effort.
One of my favourite motorcycles was the Yamaha Virago 535. I owned two at different times. They were a chopper style of bike with raked forks, and wide handlebars. Handling was very relaxed. One day I had a guy run out onto the road to pick something up, may have been roadkill. I managed to swerve around him, although I was doing about 60 MPH. I do remember that it took a great deal of muscular effort.
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