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 Steve Courtright on March 12, 2012 at 3:10am

It may look straight, but my guess is that the frame is not straight, or a wheel is not attached to the frame straight.

 

I have had steel frames aligned (at Waterford) to make them perfect.  It makes a difference, even if everything looks good by eye.  A competent mech can do this.

Permalink Reply by igz on March 12, 2012 at 4:14am

its aluminum.

 

could it be bad production? it definitely wasnt crashed.

Permalink Reply by Steve Courtright on March 12, 2012 at 4:23am

Metal is distorted when welded, so whether aluminum, titanium or steel, all frames must be built to account for the effect, and either cold set like steel or rigidly kept within QA.  Aluminum does not like to be cold set so there must be careful QA.  No frames are perfect out of the box, really, but perhaps yours is somewhat outside specification, especially if you can tell the difference.  OTOH, a wheel could be attached to the frame slightly crooked. 

 

Take it into a really good shop and have the frame checked out.  That's my best advice!  And sorry it is misbehaving, but anything like this can be improved.  Bikes are really just kits until you get them the way you like.

Permalink Reply by Anthony S on March 12, 2012 at 4:41am

had the same thing happen to my old bike. Front wheel needed dishing.

Permalink Reply by Liz on March 12, 2012 at 5:20am

Could also be a variation in either the saddle length or the fork pitch.  A shorter saddle means that you would have less stability with hands.  Additionally a straighter fork can make a bike twitchier. 

Permalink Reply by Steve Courtright on March 12, 2012 at 5:53am

It might be fun to have a friend ride the bike and follow it down the road.  If the frame or wheel is not correctly aligned, you might be able to see it going down the road sideways, like the old Chevy Nova from the '60s.

 

I am betting on a slight misalignment of one or more dropouts.

Permalink Reply by Steve Courtright on March 12, 2012 at 6:05am

I just had another thought - I wonder if a bad or tight wheel bearing on one side might make the wheel pull harder to one side.  How are the wheel bearings?

 

I am a little skeptical that a loose headset will cause the bike to pull to one side. 

Permalink Reply by Steve Courtright on March 12, 2012 at 6:12am

snip>Couldn't hurt to tighten the headset.

 

I agree completely.

Permalink Reply by igz on March 12, 2012 at 6:41am

everything feels quite tight. im not getting any wobble, nothing is loose. it just...leans.

Permalink Reply by Ryan L on March 12, 2012 at 7:27am

Try the saddle and seat post where the saddle clamps on. One of my bikes had a bent saddle rail and I noticed my ass was sitting at an ever so slight angle to the right side so when I took my hands off the bars it would track a bit to the right until I shifted my weight to the left. 

Permalink Reply by Lee Roy on March 12, 2012 at 7:41am

On the headset... If your thinking of tightening until it "clicks", your going to pitt the bearing races. Then, once it loosens up again it will never be in proper adjustment, ...not loose or tight. Now you need new bearings, races, grease, and a headset press.

Checking the bike with a Frame Alignment Gauge will only verify that it is not perfectly centered. And it being aluminum, there is not much your going to be able to do to correct the condidion.

I have had a bike or two that has not tracked exactly straight, "no handed". It's not desireable, made due, and compensated for it. When riding the bicycle as designed, I could feel no difference. I have also had my handlebars "phantom turn" hanging from a bike stand. Again not a big deal to me.

For absolute validation, you could call Specialized for a technical explination. Maybe they have or not have heard/seen this already with the Langster. They might have an answer/excuse. Understanding this was purchased secondhand, does mean there is no warranty. However, I have seen Specialized go above and beyond not only to protect their reputation, but to service their customers. A phone call to them may be fruitful in an unexpected way.

Permalink Reply by Lee Roy on March 12, 2012 at 7:49am

2011 Langsters have a "Deep V" style rim. No increase in quality over Alex rims stocked on the Langsters in previous incarnations, IMHO. I want to suspect wheel dishing here, as these are certainly machine built wheelsets.

...Possibly borrow a superior quality wheelset from a buddy to give it a controlled test?

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