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Rear Wheel Slipping

Started by Eric Lambi · · Last activity · 6 posts · 773 views

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01 / Original postRear Wheel SlippingEric Lambi · 29 Apr 2003 02 / This pagePosts 1–6Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #6Tom Kunich · 29 Apr 2003

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Original section
Road Cycling
Published
29 April 2003
Last activity
29 April 2003
Original author
Eric Lambi
Posts
6
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Public discussion
Total views
773
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0
Topics
Frame geometry

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  1. Original post
    Eric Lambi
    Archived post
    #1

    I've been having a problem where my rear wheel slips. It only happens when I am out of the saddle,
    most frequently when I am climbing steep grades, but sometimes when I am sprinting also. I have two
    bicycles, and it happens with both of them, although less-frequently with the heavier one.

    Obviously, if I had more weight towards the rear of the bicycle when I was out of the saddle, then
    the wheel probably would not slip. But I have asked several riders, and they all seem to think I
    look perfectly normal while riding out of the saddle. I weigh less than 130lbs, which I am sure
    contributes to the problem. I am not sure how to proceed in fixing the problem. If it is purly a
    center of gravity issue when out of the saddle, I'm not certain of the best way to go about changing
    it . . . when the rear wheel does slip, I end up doing a lot of work to make up for it, not what you
    want in the middle of a race! Any ideas?

    Thanks,

    Eric Lambi [email hidden]

    Report
  2. Steve Blankensh
    Archived post
    #2

    "Eric Lambi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I've been having a problem where my rear wheel slips. It only happens when I am out of the saddle,
    most frequently when I am climbing steep grades, but sometimes when I am sprinting also. I have
    two bicycles, and it happens with both of them, although less-frequently with the heavier one.

    Obviously, if I had more weight towards the rear of the bicycle when I was out of the saddle, then
    the wheel probably would not slip. But I have asked several riders, and they all seem to think I
    look perfectly normal while riding out of the saddle. I weigh less than 130lbs, which I am sure
    contributes to the problem. I am not sure how to proceed in fixing the problem. If it is purly a
    center of gravity issue when out of the saddle, I'm not certain of the best way to go about
    changing it . . . when the rear wheel does slip, I end up doing a lot of work to make up for it,
    not what you want in the middle of a race! Any ideas?

    Thanks,

    Eric Lambi [email hidden]

    Assuming your position is indeed OK, it may just be a function of your frame geometry. At under 130
    lbs, I'm guessing you're not a big guy, and many small frames have very short (56-57cm)
    front-centers, often coupled with longish (41cm+) chainstays. The result is that when you get out of
    the saddle, the forward weight transfer is excessive and you get rear wheel hop/slip. You probably
    have trouble with the rear wheel locking when braking hard on descents as well.

    You can compensate somewhat by altering your riding style and trying to pedal more smoothly, but the
    real solution is probably a different frame; one that will give you better weight distribution
    through a longer front-center and/or shorter chainstays. There's more to good fit than seat
    angle/top tube/stem length, but a lot bike builders seem to ignore the effect of weight distribution
    on handling. I'd suggest measuring your two bikes to see if the one with the shorter front/longer
    rear is the one more prone to the problem. If it is, there's your path. If not, look more closely at
    your relative position on the two.

    Report
  3. Kyle Legate
    Archived post
    #3
    Eric Lambi said:

    I've been having a problem where my rear wheel slips. It only happens when I am out of the saddle,
    most frequently when I am climbing steep grades, but sometimes when I am sprinting also. I have
    two bicycles, and it happens with both of them, although less-frequently with the heavier one.

    Obviously, if I had more weight towards the rear of the bicycle when I was out of the saddle, then
    the wheel probably would not slip. But I have asked several riders, and they all seem to think I
    look perfectly normal while riding out of the saddle. I weigh less than 130lbs, which I am sure
    contributes to the problem. I am not sure how to proceed in fixing the problem.


    You answered your own question at the beginning of your second paragraph. Put more weight towards
    the rear. This either means staying in the saddle or moving your centre of gravity back when you are
    out of the saddle.

    Report
  4. Scott Hendricks
    Archived post
    #4

    Two choices:

    1- sit down, or...

    2- if you must stand, don't stand over the bars. Keep your hips back, and bend at the waist to keep
    the front wheel down.

    [email hidden] (Eric Lambi) wrote in message
    news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    I've been having a problem where my rear wheel slips. It only happens when I am out of the saddle,
    most frequently when I am climbing steep grades, but sometimes when I am sprinting also. I have
    two bicycles, and it happens with both of them, although less-frequently with the heavier one.

    Obviously, if I had more weight towards the rear of the bicycle when I was out of the saddle, then
    the wheel probably would not slip. But I have asked several riders, and they all seem to think I
    look perfectly normal while riding out of the saddle. I weigh less than 130lbs, which I am sure
    contributes to the problem. I am not sure how to proceed in fixing the problem. If it is purly a
    center of gravity issue when out of the saddle, I'm not certain of the best way to go about
    changing it . . . when the rear wheel does slip, I end up doing a lot of work to make up for it,
    not what you want in the middle of a race! Any ideas?

    Thanks,

    Eric Lambi [email hidden]

    Report
  5. Mike S.
    Archived post
    #5

    "Scott Hendricks" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Two choices:

    1- sit down, or...

    2- if you must stand, don't stand over the bars. Keep your hips back, and bend at the waist to
    keep the front wheel down.


    When I'm trying to climb on the mtn bike and have rear wheel traction problems, I try and "row" the
    bike. Basically, I'll pull back and down on the bars as I'm powering standing up. Seems to drive the
    rear wheel into the ground, keeping things from spinning.

    Its not the smoothest thing, but it gets me up the hill.

    Mike

    Report
  6. Tom Kunich
    Archived post
    #6

    [email hidden] (Eric Lambi) wrote in message
    news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    I've been having a problem where my rear wheel slips. Any ideas?

    Yeah, you're hopping around when you climb out of the saddle.

    Report

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