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Handlebar Shimmy/Wobble (HELP)

Started by frusso10 · · Last activity · 6 posts · 1,080 views

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01 / Original postHandlebar Shimmy/Wobble (HELP)frusso10 · 4 Jun 2006 02 / This pagePosts 1–6Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #6frusso10 · 5 Jun 2006

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Original section
Cycling Training
Published
4 June 2006
Last activity
5 June 2006
Original author
frusso10
Posts
6
Discussion status
Public discussion
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1,080
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0
Topics
Stem lengthBike cleaning

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  1. Original post
    frusso10
    Archived post
    #1

    I can’t figure this out! I’ve been riding road bikes for about 10 years now and I seem to ride fairly steady. I’ve been told by people drafting me that I ride smooth and hold my line. But every once in a while and for no reason that I can see my handlebar will start to wobble which transfers throughout the bike. I have three road bikes and at certain times have done it with all of them. Seems to accrue while going done hill in a cross wind. I’m I tensing up? When I start to wobble do you know of any way to stop?

    Thank you. Any advice will greatly be appreciated.

    Report
  2. FrankBattle
    Archived post
    #2

    I assume here the wobbles happen while you have both hands on the bar ..

    .. I have experienced some wobbling while going down an incline free-hand. It's due to the size/geometry of my frame and I can stop or minimize the wobbling by clamping my thighs around the top tube. My guess is yours may not be a frame issue.

    In your case, check a few things:

    Headset (too loose, bearings loose or missing, bearing retainer bent ..). How old are the headsets?

    Do you have quick release skewers? Are they on correctly (cone-shaped springs mounted with the smaller ends inward?)

    Wheels all true .. really?

    Try a new headset on the worst offender and see if the problem disappears.

    Just some ideas. FWIW, I eventually had to replace the headset on the one frame I had that had the wobble .. it was time as I ride that guy hard and in rain etc.

    Report
  3. frusso10
    Archived post
    #3
    FrankBattle said:

    I assume here the wobbles happen while you have both hands on the bar ..

    .. I have experienced some wobbling while going down an incline free-hand. It's due to the size/geometry of my frame and I can stop or minimize the wobbling by clamping my thighs around the top tube. My guess is yours may not be a frame issue.

    In your case, check a few things:

    Headset (too loose, bearings loose or missing, bearing retainer bent ..). How old are the headsets?

    Do you have quick release skewers? Are they on correctly (cone-shaped springs mounted with the smaller ends inward?)
    Wheels all true .. really?

    Try a new headset on the worst offender and see if the problem disappears.

    Just some ideas. FWIW, I eventually had to replace the headset on the one frame I had that had the wobble .. it was time as I ride that guy hard and in rain etc.


    Thank you. I'll check. The bike I was riding is a new bike 800 miles. Both hands on the handlebars. I'll try clamping my knees to the top tube.

    I have two other bikes and have had wobble with both. But only in certain conditions.
    Thanks again

    Report
  4. JungleBiker
    Archived post
    #4

    I was reading just yesterday this article about shimmy and one of the causes could be incorrect fork alignment:
    http://www.velonews.com/tech/report/articles/9786.0.html

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  5. gclark8
    Archived post
    #5

    A couple of ideas, stem length? Longer than 100mm?

    Wheel balance and tyre mounting, manufacturers mark at the valve, not opposite.

    Report
  6. frusso10
    Archived post
    #6
    gclark8 said:

    A couple of ideas, stem length? Longer than 100mm?

    Wheel balance and tyre mounting, manufacturers mark at the valve, not opposite.


    After posting my shimmy problem message I washed my bike and noticed a slit in the front tire which crated a small bulge in the side wall. This could have contributed to my problem Thank you

    Report

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