Twitchy handling - woah there horsey!

homercles

I’m hoping someone out there can tell me that what I experienced today is fairly normal when making the transition from MTB to road bike.

As someone who learned to ride a bike at about 4, has been cycling ever since (27 years – yikes!) and who commutes daily on a slick-shod MTB I was a bit taken aback by the ‘Bambi on Ice-like’ experience I had today on my first run out on my new (first) roadie.

The handling generally feels twitchy as hell compared to my MTB, which I was kind of expecting, and I’m hoping I’ll just acclimatise with time, but what caught me off guard was how wobbly I was climbing. Going up a local street, which is probably around 1 in 10 for the uphill stretch (variable within), I found it really tough to keep the bike steady. I started on the hoods but was finding it hard to maintain direction and focus so switched to the tops. From there it wasn’t a great deal better and I didn’t dare try for the drops at that stage for fear of what might happen.

I’ve never had any trouble going up here on my MTB so it would be great if anyone’s got advice on how best to tackle it using road bike bars, or if it is just a case of being patient and getting used to the twitchier handling characteristics of a road bike.

Or have I just lost it?

Cheers

redddraggon

I think it just takes a while to get used to.

When I first got my road bike, I couldn't use the drops or stand up due to my difficulty in balancing.

6 months later, I've got no problems - I can even climb Pantani style.

It won't take you long ito get used to the road bike handling.

duckiciao

Yeah, when I first got on my road bike I had a crash almost straight away due to trying to do things that would usually be OK on my MTB; Road bikes are very unstable.

Just treat her with respect and you'll be riding like a pro in no time.

homercles

Cheers guys - I think that's probably all I needed to hear. Would have been mortified if I was the only one!

I've tinkered with the seat a bit too as think the position (right back on the rails) was forcing me to stretch a bit too much - already feels more comfortable in new position. Even with custom fitting et al, there's bound to be tinkering needed, I guess.

John.T

I would not say road bikes are unstable. Just different to MTBs. They are lighter and respond to 'Body Language' quicker than MTBs. This is a little disconcerting at first but you soon get used to it. I find the steering on my Marin East Peak to be a bit slow after riding my road bikes but soon get used to it again.

fossyant

No.. road bikes aren't unstable - it's that they are very responsive and MTB's aren't.

Even moving from a £100 roads bike to a £500 there is a huge difference - I got my first proper road bike when I was 16, moving from an old gas pipe racer, to a 531c with Shimano 600 (20 years ago) and the bike was 'twitchy'.

It will take you a few rides to get used to it. The only problem is, is that you'll hate riding the MTB on the road......

feel

:?
I ride a variety of bikes and don't think of road bikes as twitchy - have you given it a quick check over? Is there anyone else who can ride it to give you a second opinion?

homercles

feel wrote:

:?
I ride a variety of bikes and don't think of road bikes as twitchy - have you given it a quick check over? Is there anyone else who can ride it to give you a second opinion?

Yeah, it's all screwed together OK and the wheels are true, frame alignment seems OK (as much as you can tell) etc. I think reading the responses above suggests that there is an adjustment to be made going from one very distinct type of bike to another and as I said in my OP, I pretty much expected that to be the case (or else why bother getting a new one!).

feel

just a question of time then - Saw the piccy on your other thread - fantastic looking bike

homercles

Cheers - sure it'll look even better when I'm not wobbling up hills while riding it

JWSurrey

Nice Xmas pressie Homercles!
Last year, about this time, I bought a Fratello - Superb - I didn't want the full on Condor Race experience, as I was heading back to the land of large thin wheels after a major break filled in with an MTB.

Condor will have screwed it together properly!

I find with the MTB, turning feels more a case of cranking round the bars - with the road bikes, it's more a case of leaning.
Definitely takes a week or two to get the hang of.
I initially had trouble U-turning in the width of the street!
I found a need to be careful not to over-cook it on turns, and keep the front wheel from locking up!

Great bikes - 6 months later I went back for a Squadra - awesome - You've just dived in at the deep end, and I would expect an Italia to be noticably more responsive and "tight" than, for instance, a tourer.

Is that a Veloce compact with a 12-25 rear cassette?
Looks like a medium cage on there.
What chain is that? Doesn't look standard.
Are those A520 pedals?
What tyres are you running?

homercles

Hi JW

Yep, the whole Condor experience has been a very good one so far. I can definitely see myself getting other bikes there in future years, esp as Cycle2Work comes round once every 12 months!

You're absolutely right on your spec points: compact with 12-25 cassette and med cage derailleur. The chain is standard Campag Veloce ultra-narrow. Might be that it's the 08 version if it doesn't look as expected - it's the exact same as the one in the latest Campag catalogue. Pedals: again, you're spot on.

As for the tyres, they're just standard Condor-fit Hutchinson Equinox (23c). I didn't think it was worth up-speccing here just yet as have limited experience of what's good/ not and this made it sound like they'd do the job for starters...

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/tyres/product/equinox-12675

I'm pretty sure today's issues weren't tyre related - in faster, sweeping corners etc the bike felt pretty secure and it was damp on the roads.

The good news is no work until 2008 so plenty of time to practice now

geoff_ss

It could just be the change from one bike to another.

Now it's Winter I've dragged out my 25 year old Mercian mountain bike which I specified after reading about Richie (IIRC) MTB geometry in a magazine. The steering is lighter than my 653 road bike and just feels 'different' and hence 'unstable'. I suspect a bit less rake on the forks would give a bit more trail and make it feel a bit more stable but I've ridden it a lot in the past so I know I'll soon get used to it again.

Assuming there's nothing fundamentally wrong (ie loose or broken) I'm sure it's just a matter of perservering.

Geoff

Bassjunkieuk

I'd have to say it took me a while to get used to my first road bike (kindly received from a Freecycle!) having come from using MTB's previously. For me it wasn't so much the handling aspect but rather the strain using the hoods put on my hands!

Once I got used to it and started to use the bike for my commute I slowly got used to it. Of course I've taken a few steps back now as I have just got a new road bike - my previous one being referred to as a "classic" by a Evans mechanic once, which i think is the polite term for rather old!

The riding position has changed slightly again! The handlebars are slightly higher and wider. On my first outing with it I nearly wiped out taking a corner! Somehow I reacted to the wheels sliding and managed to stay upright tho! Overall I'm very impressed with the new ride and look forward to getting fully acquainted!

My advice would be to stick with it for the moment, you'll soon get the hang of the handling and grow to love how manoeuvrable it can be, especially in rush hour traffic :-D

AntLockyer

I've recently got my first road bike and it felt 'responsive'

Moving my hands for the hoods to the drops is a little sketchy sometimes but through corners it's on rails.

oldwelshman

I have to say I would be very surprises if it was just because it was a change to a road bike.
The only wobble I have experienced is when wheel cones needed adjustment or headset, and even then that was only noticed descending at over 40mph.
I have neve experienced wobble climbing, maybe if it was no handed but not with both hands on bars
I would get it checked out but would have thought you know enough about the set up to check it .

dennisn

Couple of things that make a bike "twitchy" are short wheelbase frames,racing as
opposed to touring frames. Really long stems that put the handlebars in front of
the front axle can also cause this feeling. On a properly, or improperly, set up race
bike things happen quickly. Takes a bit of time to feel comfortable. You'll get it.

Dennis Noward

JWSurrey

homercles wrote:

....12-25 cassette and med cage derailleur. The chain is standard Campag Veloce ultra-narrow. Might be that it's the 08 version if it doesn't look as expected ......

Cool - The chain looks like one of those expensive KMC "gold"/nickel chains - I guess they've improved them for 2008.

Did you upgrade your wheel package?
Who did you speak to at Condor? Ronan did my setups.

homercles

JWSurrey wrote:

Cool - The chain looks like one of those expensive KMC "gold"/nickel chains - I guess they've improved them for 2008.

Did you upgrade your wheel package?
Who did you speak to at Condor? Ronan did my setups.

Yep, everyone always says make sure the money goes on the wheels!

Rich (big guy, little goatee) did my fitting - very interesting it was too.

Whereabouts in Surrey are you? I'll have to keep an eye out for the Squadra if you're anywhere near the SW corner of London as I often ride the areas from Box Hill round to Richmond.

JWSurrey

Waah - Spooky. Box Hill is my favourite training run.
I was in Dauphin last weekend picking up my new handbuilt wheelset for the Frat, having scoured my way through the Ventos (and very nice those Ventos were too - true to the last, despite my mass plus pannier load plus Box hill potholing expeditions).

You're more likely to see me on the more distinctive red/black '07 Frat.
The white/grey Squaddy is strictly for sportives and the occasional treat - I prefer to get the miles in on something heavier so I've got some semblance of hope at getting round the sportives.
I'll be the Grandad wheezing up Box Hill.
I'm the Guildford side, and am occasionally out and about round Normandy if I head out the other direction.

You a member of a club?
Richmond Pk. is just a bit too tantalisingly far out - would be great for winter training sessions with the Dynamo.
What were you riding before? Probably been past each other at some point!

homercles

JWSurrey wrote:

Waah - Spooky. Box Hill is my favourite training run.
I was in Dauphin last weekend picking up my new handbuilt wheelset for the Frat, having scoured my way through the Ventos (and very nice those Ventos were too - true to the last, despite my mass plus pannier load plus Box hill potholing expeditions).

You're more likely to see me on the more distinctive red/black '07 Frat.
The white/grey Squaddy is strictly for sportives and the occasional treat - I prefer to get the miles in on something heavier so I've got some semblance of hope at getting round the sportives.
I'll be the Grandad wheezing up Box Hill.
I'm the Guildford side, and am occasionally out and about round Normandy if I head out the other direction.

You a member of a club?
Richmond Pk. is just a bit too tantalisingly far out - would be great for winter training sessions with the Dynamo.
What were you riding before? Probably been past each other at some point!

JW - Not a member of a club yet but hope to get my act together soon - I often see Dynamo (and others) out around the park. You might have seen me on my Marin (fairly distinctive with the slicks on) but it'll be the Italia from now on. I'll be keeping an eye out for the Frat and be sure to say hi if I see you.

Just a note to everyone else thanking you all for your replies. I went out today and found that just knowing what to expect had improved my confidence tenfold. That and moving the saddle an inch or so forward. It was gusty as hell on a run out down into Surrey with the odd hairy moment from sidewinds. A tough day to stay in control of any bike but I managed to take it all in my stride. Didn't do much climbing but that which I did was much less wobbly than Weds.

As for the bike, hitting nearly 35mph on the flat at full pelt in the drops - wahey!!!

JWSurrey

In terms of club, I hope to get myself fit enough to look at joining a club early summer.
I've met a number of the Kingston Wheelers and found them to be a good sociable bunch with a wide range of activities.
They also seem to pop up at most of the events I've been along to.
They have two meets for the club run - One at the advertised location, and one just outside Cobham.

Hopefully will see you out there soon!

Obligatory bike porn (yes, I cross over the transmission for storage): http://www.witts-end.demon.co.uk/Condor/IMG_1976.JPG

Foz72

I found the same thing when I got my first road bike about 18 months ago, after being long time user of mountain and commuter bikes - it just felt really twitchy

Takes a bit of getting used to. Regarding climbing a hill - were you out of the saddle? One thing I found in the transition is that if you are our of the saddle on an MTB/hybrid you more or less stand straight up with your weight directly over the pedals. On a road bike, leaning the upper body forward and having shoulders more or less over the handlebars is far more stable. If you don't do this the front wheel feels 'light' and very unstable. Hope that helps.