The Chainlink

why??

i recently acquired a 2011 specialized langster. the bike had very few miles on it when i got it.  i have a terrible habit of riding with no hands.  the first time i let go of the handlebars on this bike, it immediately started to lean left and i had to grab the bars to regain control.  ive had a bike to this to me in the past, but it was an old crappy bike, unlike this new one.

what could be causing it?  everything - the wheels, the bars, the seat - appear to be sstraight and flush. there is nothing else in there that would make it obvious.  i have been able to ride it no hands since, but i do have to counter balance a bit.

help me understand...

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Permalink Reply by igz on March 12, 2012 at 1:58pm

i do have another, proper wheel set i know to be good that i can control against.  ill try that. 

 

the seat and seat rails are fine. the fork is straight (and carbon apparently), headset is internal.

 

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=52864&m...

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on March 12, 2012 at 2:23pm

Bent fork, bent frame, improperly dished wheel, axle not fully seated in the front dropouts.

...or a combination of two or more of the above.

Take the front wheel out and put it in backwards.  is it still centered?    I bet it won't be.  You don't need another wheel to do this test. 

Permalink Reply by Steve Courtright on March 12, 2012 at 2:26pm

I agree with James, with the additional possibility of the rear wheel being pulled out of proper alignment in the rear dropouts.  This can happen easily if the rear wheel is not secured properly.

Permalink Reply by igz on March 12, 2012 at 2:33pm

rear is a flip flop.  and i have flipped it.  does the same thing either way.  ill putz around with the front wheel.

Permalink Reply by Rich S on March 12, 2012 at 3:54pm

I've got a 2010 Langster and I'd say it doesn't like to be ridden no hands. It'll track straight but only if the road isn't bumpy or if it's not windy out. Slightest bump and I'm grabbing the handlebars! I always figured it was because the fork is so light. I bought it brand new and it's always been that way but more so after I added a rack. 

You're welcome to take mine for a comparison ride Iggi. It's my daily rider so I'm on it all the time! 

Permalink Reply by Duppie on March 12, 2012 at 4:15pm

Have you taken your alcohol consumption into account?

Permalink Reply by igz on March 12, 2012 at 4:44pm
Alcohol makes me lean, but its doesn't affect the bike...
Permalink Reply by Liz on March 12, 2012 at 5:05pm

Probably the fork offset and frame geometry.  The bike may be designed to make it more responsive to small movements on the handlebars. 

Here's an interesting article on it.  Maybe later I'll figure out a bit more about the dynamics and stability factors. 

http://www.avaghon.nl/download/Naloop_Bikestability-Forkrake.pdf


iggi said:

i do have another, proper wheel set i know to be good that i can control against.  ill try that. 

 

the seat and seat rails are fine. the fork is straight (and carbon apparently), headset is internal.

 

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=52864&m...

Permalink Reply by Aaron Bussey on March 12, 2012 at 6:38pm

You might need to take a poo

Permalink Reply by tmacz on March 12, 2012 at 7:12pm

bring it into Nick (bike mechanic), at Play It Again Sports...he can check it out for you, tell him "dr tom" referred you, he will give you an increased awareness at figuring this out (his prices are lower than your average shop)...

Permalink Reply by Lee Roy on March 20, 2012 at 11:20am

It's been a week. Cartalk guy's give the quiz answer in a week.

...I cannot take the suspense any longer!!!

Permalink Reply by igz on March 20, 2012 at 11:33am

i havent had the time to troubleshoot yet. hopefully, tonight...

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