Bike feels twitchy...

ChrisYZ3 · June 2007

Ok, basically, my bike has felt a bit unpredictable. Scott Voltage YZ3, everything completely standard, tyres pumped up to within the acceptable range stated on the tyre itself etc.

Anyway, the problem is that when I was on some loose dust/stone going downhill, reasonable speed but not stupid fast, it was sliding from side to side etc. and felt like a rodeo ride! Understandable because of the loose stones etc. but even when riding along the road and just catching a stone just off-centre of the tyre it 'jumps'. I wondered if this could be because of the tyre and it's tread pattern, or just if they're perhaps over-inflated. I'm guessing the latter, but just want clarification, but the tyres certainly aren't inflated to even near the top limit.

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colin747 · June 2007

i have the same problem on my Marin, what tyres do you have?

ChrisYZ3 · June 2007

Nothing special, bog standard Deli Tire 26's. Similar to the one on the right

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abul · June 2007

it may be your tires are inflated too much but i wouldnt think so with it being inside the recommendations.

what about suspension? is it adjustable? rebound may be set high (not sure about suspension i dont tend to know how it all works)

buckled wheels? i know it sounds stupid but you never know

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ddoogie · June 2007

Could just be poor weight distribution. If the tyres are inflated properly, suspension is working then it would seem that's the case. Keep a bit more weight over the back next time and see if it improved.

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colin747 · June 2007

i've got:
WTB Timberwolf's on the front http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Tire/WTB_Timberwolf_2.3.jpg
WTB Moto Rapter on the front
http://www.pricepoint.com/images/styleI ... WTBRM2.jpg

i've got the exact same problem it even slides about on climbs, whenever there are stones. They grip brillently on anything else.

Shadow_Conspiracy · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Colin747

i've got:
WTB Timberwolf's on the front http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Tire/WTB_Timberwolf_2.3.jpg
WTB Moto Rapter on the front
http://www.pricepoint.com/images/styleI ... WTBRM2.jpg

i've got the exact same problem it even slides about on climbs, whenever there are stones. They grip brillently on anything else.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You have two tyres on the front?

That might be your problem.

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colin747 · June 2007

moto rapters on the back

ChrisYZ3 · June 2007

Hmm, I'm perhaps guessing my problem could be over-inflated. As I said, they're not at the top limit, but to the touch there is only slight give in them, so could be they are just bouncing off stones etc. Cheers for the suggestion Andy, but I do tend to have my weight well over the back, althought that said it may not be perfect. However, I doubt that would be the problem if it happens going over stones on the street, I'm sat down etc.

Colin, maybe yours could be over inflated too, unless they're worn?

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colin747 · June 2007

they couldn't be worn there only a week old, might just check the pressure before i go out for a ride next time

ChrisYZ3 · June 2007

Ha, oh right. Well in that case could be your weight distro as suggested before, especially if it does it when climbing too.

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daiboy06 · June 2007

Checked your spokes?

ChrisYZ3 · June 2007

Yup, went in for a service not too long ago too. I went out for a quick spin, ran over a few stones and when it happens theres a kind of 'popping' sound, so makes me think even more it's over-inflation.

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ROCHA · June 2007

IMO, it isn't the tyres, it's the front suspension. It's a crappy RST with no damping and very light springs. Get used to it or buy a new one. I sugest you run about 35 psi on both tyres and see how it goes, anyway...

Anonymous · June 2007

We had a bit of a bike swap on sunday in llandegla for a giggle. i rode mine, a 2000 specialized FSR-XC, and a Kona cinder cone hire-bike. The kona and the FSR felt very skittery to me. the conder cone was all over the place, which I put down to having really narrow tyres. Not sure what they were, but I'm almost certain they were only 2.1s.
It was especially noticeable at high speeds, any small stones could upset it's line. I kind of enjoyed the experience though, it made things more challenging, and I hadn't ridden a hardtail in years.
the FSR, whilst skittery, wasn't half as bad, but it has much softer compound specialized tyres on it.
My marin, however, stuck to it's line like glue, but it does have have a 2.35 IRC kujo on the rear and a 2.75 Intense DH on the front. The intense is so soft, it's like chewing gum to touch.

Sooo, it may be the width, or lack of thereof, of your tyres, or the tyre compound.
Tall, stiff knobs (ooh er!) may wander more than soft short ones.

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ChrisYZ3 · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ROCHA

IMO, it isn't the tyres, it's the front suspension. It's a crappy RST with no damping and very light springs. Get used to it or buy a new one. I sugest you run about 35 psi on both tyres and see how it goes, anyway...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

First, it's not an RST. Second, it has nothing to do with the front suspension, as it does it on the rear as well, so may be best to get your facts sorted next time. Thanks for a suggestion other than 'omg ure forks suk, get sum nu ones!!1!' though. [;)]

yeehaamcgee, thanks, useful info there. I do belive my tyres are 2.1s, s that could be the problem. Will obviously double check though, but if that's the case, anything I can do to alleviate the problem without buying new tyres? Weight distribution, lowering tyre pressure, or just live with it?

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colin747 · June 2007

"Tall, stiff knobs"
hmm... think that might be the problem with mine

ROCHA · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ChrisYZ3

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ROCHA

IMO, it isn't the tyres, it's the front suspension. It's a crappy RST with no damping and very light springs. Get used to it or buy a new one. I sugest you run about 35 psi on both tyres and see how it goes, anyway...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

First, it's not an RST. Second, it has nothing to do with the front suspension, as it does it on the rear as well, so may be best to get your facts sorted next time. Thanks for a suggestion other than 'omg ure forks suk, get sum nu ones!!1!' though. [;)]

yeehaamcgee, thanks, useful info there. I do belive my tyres are 2.1s, s that could be the problem. Will obviously double check though, but if that's the case, anything I can do to alleviate the problem without buying new tyres? Weight distribution, lowering tyre pressure, or just live with it?

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<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If your bike is standard, as you stated, than your fork is an RST.
http://www.dalescycles.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=14268
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying your fork could be better 'cause I'm one of those guys who think that only high end stuff is ok. Some RST forks are a lot better and are still cheap. I rode a bike with a fork (RST Capa C something) almost identical to the one that comes on your bike and the fork bottomed out easily and rebounded too quickly through rough terrain, though it was quite comfy for a more relaxed ride. That's why I thought it was the fork, because I knew the fork moves up and down faster than most forks and that's bad for stability. Besides, I also rode a bike with the same tyres you have and I think they're ok. Infact they're a lot better than my Ritchey's, now that they look like slicks, and my bike doesn't feel too "twitchy".
I just said what I thaught was most helpful.

ChrisYZ3 · June 2007

Nah don't worry about it, but they're not RST's. Mines the 2005 version. They're 'Top Gun' or something. Probably regarded as being even worse, but I get a little annoyed when I think someones assuming the problem is just because of the forks, as these have done pretty well for a couple of years now. People sometimes forget MTB's used to be completely rigid, so any suspension is a luxury, especially when you're only riding for fun and not competitively.

Anyway, the problem is probably the width of them. I can probably live with it for now, but it just doesn't seem right, it being skittish and jumpy. I want to feel confident it's not going to washout!

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Pigchops · June 2007

I'd be inclined to put in down to the width and style of the tyres too. I only say this because when I swapped my 2.35" knobblies for 1.5" slicks I really noticed the bike being much more "skitty" as you describe.

drewcole81 · June 2007

Could it be that you have the wrong size tube?

A small tube for the tyre size, if the tyre isn't 'filled' with tube then it might be slipping around?

just a thought.....

Bike feels twitchy...

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