Twitchiness

thegreatpoobarr
thegreatpoobarr Posts: 32
edited August 2013 in MTB general
Reasonably new bike, which I'd say I'm now fairly familiar with, but I'm just not entirely happy with the handling. I'm finding the steering just a little too 'twitchy'. Is this something effected by choice of components or is it determined by frame geometry?

Comments

  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Either or both.
    Depends
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    What bike?
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • thelonegroover
    thelonegroover Posts: 1,073
    Generally, steeper head angles of 71° or higher have quicker steering. Narrow handlebars will also make for quick steering. The length of the stem can also effect steering response.
    Planet X Kaffenback 2
    Giant Trance X2
    Genesis High Latitude 2x10
    Planet X n2a
    Genesis Core 20
  • thegreatpoobarr
    thegreatpoobarr Posts: 32
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    What bike?

    Saracen Kili Cromo 2
    http://www.saracen.co.uk/bikes/2012/trail/kili-cromo-2
    Thelonegroover wrote:
    Generally, steeper head angles of 71° or higher have quicker steering. Narrow handlebars will also make for quick steering. The length of the stem can also effect steering response.

    That's certainly something to consider then, the bars are 680 mm.
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    It shouldn't be twitchy. Wider bars may help and possibly a shorter stem. Get some cheap parts from ebay to try rather than splashing out on something expensive without knowing if it will be comfortable.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • thelonegroover
    thelonegroover Posts: 1,073
    I notice the stem is quoted as 70-90mm, which is it? If it's 90, then a shorter stem may help. 680mm bars aren't exactly narrow. And 69 degree head angle is OK.
    Planet X Kaffenback 2
    Giant Trance X2
    Genesis High Latitude 2x10
    Planet X n2a
    Genesis Core 20
  • Daz555
    Daz555 Posts: 3,976
    I'm not sure why anyone is suggesting a shorter stem. In my experience (and I think this is the conventional thinking) a longer stem tends to dampen steering input and therefore smooth things out a bit.

    Having said that, if weight distribution is contributing to the twitchyness then a shorter stem *may* reduce weight on the front and might tidy things up a bit - I'm not too convinced about that however.

    Either way, as it's a new bike - just crack on a keep riding. Don't worry about it - give it a few months.
    You only need two tools: WD40 and Duck Tape.
    If it doesn't move and should, use the WD40.
    If it shouldn't move and does, use the tape.
  • robertpb
    robertpb Posts: 1,866
    It's usually the biped that's at fault, as the previous comment, give it some time.
    Now where's that "Get Out of Crash Free Card"
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    Shorter stems are good when combined with wide bars. They help keep your weight a little further back and make the steering more neutral.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • thegreatpoobarr
    thegreatpoobarr Posts: 32
    Thelonegroover wrote:
    I notice the stem is quoted as 70-90mm, which is it? If it's 90, then a shorter stem may help. 680mm bars aren't exactly narrow. And 69 degree head angle is OK.

    How the hell do you measure a stem, centre to centre? If so it's 80mm.

    Also occurs to me that there's 3 spacers on there too, what do they bring to the mix? (other than a bit of space ofc)

Categories