Dodgy bike/tyres or rider?
stevencatlin
Posts: 5
Hi,
Apologies if there is a raft of discussion on a similar vein elsewhere, but it's not been obvious in my searches.
I had a strange incident (or two) on my Sunday morning ride this weekend. Left the house at roughly 0700hrs Sunday. Weather was Clear blue skies, 10+ degrees, small patches of dew/damp in places.
I've recently bought a new bike, with prop. Giant PSLR-1's on and needless to say, I crashed, twice, whilst negotiating bends. One occasion of which, was UPHILL (14 mph according to Strava)!!!
After the second crash in 10 miles, I inspected the bike and assessed the damage, which was minor scrapes and bar re-alignment required after second crash. Nothing else seemed to be wrong with the the bike whatsoever. It pretty much just slipped down the road in tandem with me. For the remainder of the journey, I started to become aware of something which I had previously overlooked on completely dry rides. The slight floating feeling from the rear wheel, even going straight down relatively decent (UK standard) smooth roads. This seemingly only occurred at roughly 20mph+.
The reason I am so disturbed by this occurrence is that I have NEVER crashed before. After the first crash, I had just assumed that I was trying to go too fast and must have dipped a toe in a patch of the slightly dewy surface that I hadn't particularly noticed. However, once I crashed AGAIN 7 miles later, I was lying in the road, genuinely perplexed... 'How the hell have I crashed going UPHILL (again)?'. Both were left-hand bends/turns if that's of any relevance?
Firstly, am I the only person to have crashed going uphill? Secondly, does anything I have said sound distinctly unusual to you? I'm convinced that there is a problem with the tyres of some sort.
My previous bike, used to negotiate the same route in the same and worse conditions without concern, though on Specialized Turbo's.
Please help!
Many thanks,
Steve
Apologies if there is a raft of discussion on a similar vein elsewhere, but it's not been obvious in my searches.
I had a strange incident (or two) on my Sunday morning ride this weekend. Left the house at roughly 0700hrs Sunday. Weather was Clear blue skies, 10+ degrees, small patches of dew/damp in places.
I've recently bought a new bike, with prop. Giant PSLR-1's on and needless to say, I crashed, twice, whilst negotiating bends. One occasion of which, was UPHILL (14 mph according to Strava)!!!
After the second crash in 10 miles, I inspected the bike and assessed the damage, which was minor scrapes and bar re-alignment required after second crash. Nothing else seemed to be wrong with the the bike whatsoever. It pretty much just slipped down the road in tandem with me. For the remainder of the journey, I started to become aware of something which I had previously overlooked on completely dry rides. The slight floating feeling from the rear wheel, even going straight down relatively decent (UK standard) smooth roads. This seemingly only occurred at roughly 20mph+.
The reason I am so disturbed by this occurrence is that I have NEVER crashed before. After the first crash, I had just assumed that I was trying to go too fast and must have dipped a toe in a patch of the slightly dewy surface that I hadn't particularly noticed. However, once I crashed AGAIN 7 miles later, I was lying in the road, genuinely perplexed... 'How the hell have I crashed going UPHILL (again)?'. Both were left-hand bends/turns if that's of any relevance?
Firstly, am I the only person to have crashed going uphill? Secondly, does anything I have said sound distinctly unusual to you? I'm convinced that there is a problem with the tyres of some sort.
My previous bike, used to negotiate the same route in the same and worse conditions without concern, though on Specialized Turbo's.
Please help!
Many thanks,
Steve
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Comments
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The minor roads around me are quite slippery at the moment - a thin film of mud and other slime that has remained even though it's generally dry. No crashes (touch wood) but lots of rear wheel spin on climbs, especially under the trees.
What tyres and pressures are you running?0 -
If you still have your previous tyres try them on the bike if they fit and see if you get the same problem.
If you were going uphill it is likely you are putting a lot of power to the back wheel which means any problems get magnified. If you were out of the saddle leaning far forwards and really going for it this could possibly put the back wheel out as you would have shifted your weight right off it reducing traction. If you were sat down the whole time then you are looking at tyres or road surface really.
Have a look at the road surface where you crashed. White lines and iron works like drains have little real grip when pushing the bike. You seemed to have ruled out frost, water, mud, wet leaves etc.0 -
Thanks guys.
As I said, Giant P-SLR-1's. I've always run 120psi Front + Rear (same on the Spec. Turbo's I was referring to - without issue). I weigh 92kg - FYI.
Road was a typical B road. No drains/white lines etc. I think I was seated at the time - But I honestly cannot remember - yes i did hit my head, and yes, I was wearing a helmet!
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I have those tyres and am 86kg running at 110 psi.
I found those to be good tyres and grip has been great. One thing to check - the tyres are wheel dependent - have you checked you had front tyre on front wheel?
Is there any oil on the side of the tyre?0 -
izza wrote:I have those tyres and am 86kg running at 110 psi.
I found those to be good tyres and grip has been great. One thing to check - the tyres are wheel dependent - have you checked you had front tyre on front wheel?
Is there any oil on the side of the tyre?
Yep. Just checked Front and Rear correctly fitted. Thank you. No signs of oil either. Strange fading/browning to the sidewalls though? Have you come across this at all?0 -
FYI bike is 2 weeks old.0
