Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Twitchy handling at higher speeds
#1
My road bike gets a little unstable feeling at higher speeds during downhill runs... starts around 30-35+ MPH. The gyro effect from the front wheel is not increasing enough to over come "the shakes". Tire pressure, front/rear alignment, front hub play, headset play, fork rake and trail... anything else to consider? It bugs me to see mountain bikers on the same roads doing 40+ comfortably! Your thoughts?
  Reply
#2
Some bikes are prone to shake at high speeds. Some say grip the top bar with your knees when on the decent?
What wheels are you using?
I have a light bike with Ksyriums and that feels a bit jittery on downhills. But if I fit my Open Pro's on, it feels O.K.
Ride hard or ride home alone!
  Reply
#3
Well, the shaking is a resonance effect. Gripping the top tube with the knees is an old trick, it works, I know cause I had to do it. Sometimes the shaking will disappear if you loosen that steel hard grip on the handlebar as the resonance frequency is changed. You might also want to read up on the subject on http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/shimmy.html
  Reply


Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Gandolfi "Super" model 1985-86 racing bi...
Today 02:34 PM
How I used to clean my bike
Today 10:43 AM
Continued learnings from bikepacking
Today 04:50 AM
What are the pros and cons of using a 26...
Today 04:46 AM
I got new Tioga FASTR X Tires (Ask Me An...
Today 01:31 AM
Cassette shifting Problem
Today 01:06 AM
Attack // Force tire style narrow front ...
Today 12:55 AM
The great thing about trikes
Yesterday 11:10 AM
Doctors are Prescribing Cycling
Yesterday 10:40 AM
How to improve cycling endurance? I've h...
06-30-2025 06:27 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. GirishH
21 posts
no avatar 2. Flowrider
20 posts
no avatar 3. meamoantonio
14 posts
no avatar 4. rydabent
12 posts
no avatar 5. Jesper
11 posts