Wobble? Twitchy?
Peddle Up!
Posts: 2,040
Arrgh! I think I'm going mad. I went for a twenty mile ride on my bike (a Trek 1.9) yesterday and I couldn't get over how wobbly and twitchy it felt. Coming down a long straight, a relatively gentle gust of side wind sent me halfway across the road.
I've had the bike checked out at my LBS (which I trust) and it's OK. Could there be something about the setup, or geometry that causing this? How can I go about a systematic investigation to find out what's going on. I really need to nail this so your views would be appreciated. Thanks.
I've had the bike checked out at my LBS (which I trust) and it's OK. Could there be something about the setup, or geometry that causing this? How can I go about a systematic investigation to find out what's going on. I really need to nail this so your views would be appreciated. Thanks.
Purveyor of "up" 
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I used to have a 80mm stem on my old bike that felt horrible on the decents and this was cured by fitting a 100mm that slowed the steering down.
Also check that you headset is free and not to tight0 -
A strong cross wind makes descents on my trek 1.5 pretty scary at even 25 mph. Last night, with no cross wind, and 45 mph was fine.2010 Trek 1.5 Road - swissstop green, conti GP4000S
2004 Marin Muirwoods Hybrid0 -
Could be positioning, I rode my TT bike for the first time last night, and I was wobbling up the road like Bambi on ice skates to start with as I wasn't used to being so over the front wheel.0
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danowat wrote:Could be positioning, I rode my TT bike for the first time last night, and I was wobbling up the road like Bambi on ice skates to start with as I wasn't used to being so over the front wheel.
How did you tackle it?Purveyor of "up"0 -
Relaxed and got used to it!!!, I found if I was tense about it, it was a problem.
I also shifted the seat back a bit, but I may need a shorter stem....0 -
being relaxed is a good point. Also look further ahead (hard if you've just been climbing and looking only 6 feet ahead). DON'T look at the speedo as that'll make you tense up (when you see how fast you are) and stop you looking ahead.2010 Trek 1.5 Road - swissstop green, conti GP4000S
2004 Marin Muirwoods Hybrid0 -
explosifpete wrote:I used to have a 80mm stem on my old bike that felt horrible on the decents and this was cured by fitting a 100mm that slowed the steering down.
Also check that you headset is free and not to tight
Interesting. I guess a guide to what adjustments to what w.r.t. a bike's handling would be useful.Purveyor of "up"0 -
Stabilisers?Carrera Vanquish....0
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Seriously though, If I were you I'd take it to another bike shop and get a second opinion.Peddle Up! wrote:Carrera Vanquish....0 -
Do you have bladed spokes? These can make a difference in cross winds. My Lemond came with Bontrager Race wheels with bladed spokes and would always catch sidewinds. Switched to Eastons with round profile spokes and the problem disappeared0
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I've done a lot of reading around on bike geometry, trying to understand what influences what, and I think I may have hit upon an important factor (in my case). When I checked out my bike frame size it came out at 52cm (centre of bottom bracket to top of top tube, right?). I'm 6'3" with an inside leg measurement of 34" and just about every sizing guide that I've look at suggests a 58cm (or larger) frame. So am I riding a bike that's too small for me?
If so, what affect would that have on the cycling experience? Do I need to buy a new bike?
(Apologies if my questions seem a bit basic, but having recently returned to cycling after a long break I'm eager to catch up and made the most of my rides).
Thanks.Purveyor of "up"0 -
I can't imagine a small frame would make it more suscpetible to cross winds.
However, a 52cm frame is extremely small for a person 6 ft 3 tall - even allowing for the semi compact appearance of the frame (judging from google images)
For what it is worth, I am just under 6ft. I ride a 57cm c-t seat tube, 57cm horizontal top tube frame.
I last rode your size bike when I was about 14. According to Trek's website it looks like they recommend a 52 for people around 5 ft 6 tall, and about a 60 for people of your height.
http://www.trekbikes.com/faq/questions. ... stionid=630 -
I can confirm that I'd require a 52 in the Trek (I've test ridden a couple), and I'm 5'6" with a 31" inside leg.
Unless you have a seatpost with a massive setback, too much of your weight will be too far forward and it will handle badly. I suspect you also have a lot of seatpost showing, and a large drop from the saddle to the bars.
Isn't the frame size on a sticker on the seat-tube somewhere??0 -
I'm 6'1" and ride a 58cm Trek 1.9, the sizing is spot on for me. I'd say that a 52cm is way too small for you. That could well be why the bike feels a little unstable.Science adjusts it’s beliefs based on what’s observed.
Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved0 -
MattC59 wrote:I'm 6'1" and ride a 58cm Trek 1.9, the sizing is spot on for me. I'd say that a 52cm is way too small for you. That could well be why the bike feels a little unstable.
Is there a size sticker on your bike? I'd like to double check the details for mine.Purveyor of "up"0 -
Peddle Up! wrote:MattC59 wrote:I'm 6'1" and ride a 58cm Trek 1.9, the sizing is spot on for me. I'd say that a 52cm is way too small for you. That could well be why the bike feels a little unstable.
Is there a size sticker on your bike? I'd like to double check the details for mine.
Update - rechecked the measurement to the point where the seat post enters and it's 55cm.Purveyor of "up"0
