Bike handling

src1
src1 Posts: 301
edited March 2014 in Workshop
Hi,

I've just built up a Enigma Equinox frame and I don't like the handling as much as my winter bike, a Kinesis Tk2. Hopefully someone can advise.

The Kinesis has a 54.5cm top tube, 73degree head tube angle, 43mm fork rake, 12cm stem and deda newton anatomical bars.

The Enigma has a 55cm top tube, 72.5 head tube angle, deda black blade forks (I think these have a 45mm rake but not sure), 11cm stem and Pro LT compact drop bars.

Jumping on the Enigma for the first time, the reach feels a bit short, I'm not sure I like the shape of the bars, the handling feels a bit twitchy and toe overlap seems a problem.

I was thinking of switching to anatomical bars and a 12cm stem first and seeing if that helps, or should I start with new forks with 43mm rake? (rake and head tube angles confuse me a bit!)

Many thanks.

Comments

  • Omar Little
    Omar Little Posts: 2,010
    It might just be that you are used to your winter bike so anything else will feel a bit odd until you've had a couple of rides on it
  • src1
    src1 Posts: 301
    Omar Little wrote:
    It might just be that you are used to your winter bike so anything else will feel a bit odd until you've had a couple of rides on it

    Thanks,that's definitely possible. Just wondering,will 43mm rake forks make the handling less twitchy / decrease toe overlap?
  • gethinceri
    gethinceri Posts: 1,663
    What's the wheelbase difference? shorter will be more twitchy but more responsive.
  • src1
    src1 Posts: 301
    Gethinceri wrote:
    What's the wheelbase difference? shorter will be more twitchy but more responsive.

    The kinesis has a wheelbase of 99.8cm but Enigma don't publish this info.
  • gethinceri
    gethinceri Posts: 1,663
    Just measure the distance between the dropouts.
  • src1
    src1 Posts: 301
    The Enigma does have a shorter wheelbase by my measurements:
    Kinesis : 99.8cm
    Enigma: 98.5cm
  • gethinceri
    gethinceri Posts: 1,663
    Ta daaa!!!!!!
    Possibly? You'll get used to it.
  • src1
    src1 Posts: 301
    Will fork rake or stem length have any effect or do I just have to get used to it?
  • gethinceri
    gethinceri Posts: 1,663
    You have exhausted the limits of my expertise, I'm afraid.
  • src1
    src1 Posts: 301
    Gethinceri wrote:
    You have exhausted the limits of my expertise, I'm afraid.

    No worries, thanks anyway. :)
  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    SRC1 wrote:
    Will fork rake or stem length have any effect or do I just have to get used to it?

    If you decrease the rake you increase the trail which should make the handling slightly less twitchy. Although it will increase toe overlap. That fact it's a totally different bike with different geometry (and the trail is already quite high on it anyway) would mean I'd just ride it and get used to it before changing anything.
  • src1
    src1 Posts: 301
    Thanks, good advice. Btw, how do you know the trail is already high? Is it from head tube angle?

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