CNY rider
09-21-2005, 07:42 AM
As this is a somewhat mysterious topic I thought I would share an experience I had yesterday.
I ride my commuter to work 4 days a week. I hit 40 MPH daily going down my hill. I've always felt stable, never a shudder. My road is rural and I'm rarely passed as I ride down.
Yesterday I had to go pick up my car at the local garage after work. It happens to be at the bottom of a different, large hill. Since I had to drive it home after, I had sandals and a few other things in my messenger bag that aren't normally there, and which increased the bulk and weight.
I rode downhill and was passed by a near continuous stream of cars. At 36 MPH there was a pronounced wobble. Enough that my heart fluttered for a second til I realized what was happening and I thought about how to deal with it. I was able to gently brake and get it back together, and the rest of the ride was uneventful.
I suspect several factors came into play: First off I was sitting more upright as I descended. If I lean too far forward the messenger bag feels like it will flip off over my head. Second, I think the increased weight on my back made my arms more rigid. And finally I think the key factor was the turbulence generated by cars going 50 MPH a foot or two away from me.
So, given that this is an otherwise stable bike, I'd say those are some factors to think about if you're having problems with speed wobble.
I ride my commuter to work 4 days a week. I hit 40 MPH daily going down my hill. I've always felt stable, never a shudder. My road is rural and I'm rarely passed as I ride down.
Yesterday I had to go pick up my car at the local garage after work. It happens to be at the bottom of a different, large hill. Since I had to drive it home after, I had sandals and a few other things in my messenger bag that aren't normally there, and which increased the bulk and weight.
I rode downhill and was passed by a near continuous stream of cars. At 36 MPH there was a pronounced wobble. Enough that my heart fluttered for a second til I realized what was happening and I thought about how to deal with it. I was able to gently brake and get it back together, and the rest of the ride was uneventful.
I suspect several factors came into play: First off I was sitting more upright as I descended. If I lean too far forward the messenger bag feels like it will flip off over my head. Second, I think the increased weight on my back made my arms more rigid. And finally I think the key factor was the turbulence generated by cars going 50 MPH a foot or two away from me.
So, given that this is an otherwise stable bike, I'd say those are some factors to think about if you're having problems with speed wobble.