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#1
05-14-2016, 08:55 PM
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Ritchey Breakaway Speed Wobble
HELP: My Ritchey Breakaway has a speed wobble >30mph - wondering if this could be due to the stock fork.
More detail: I have a [year unknown blue/white] Ritchey Breakaway with a Ritchey Comp 1-1/8" headset and a Ritchey Comp Headset. On trips for years I would get pwned on descents with friends on the Ritchey. I used to attribute that to the rider or traveling. The fit is nearly identical to the reach/drop of that on my trusted Cannondale. Recently I was on familiar descents and found that there the handling nervousness while descending was actually a speed wobble when traveling >30mph. Questions: - Could this be the fork/headset? - Would replacing either/both solve the problem? - Should I stfu and htfu and deal? I've been considering upgrading the headset and getting a 1-1/8 fork with a better review (ENVE, Easton, Columbus in order of decreasing price) 
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#2
05-14-2016, 09:07 PM
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Picture of bike?
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#3
05-14-2016, 09:14 PM
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#4
05-14-2016, 09:21 PM
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I will sum up everything you can read about speed wobble.
 Every part of the bike/rider system can/does contribute to speed wobble. Replacing parts or changing rider position may or may not solve your problem. Don't stiffen your arms / clamp the top tube with you legs to help mitigate wobble when it arises. A stiffer fork may help, I have read convincing and conflicting articles about headset contributions. Some people claim a headset with more drag helps, like a needle bearing miche.
__________________
please don't take anything I say personally, I am an idiot.
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#5
05-14-2016, 09:34 PM
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Thanks so much!
I've never had speed wobble in a legit road frame, even at speeds above 60mph. This really vexes me as everything else about the Ritchey Breakaway (geometry, fit, finish, handling, ride quality, etc) is LEGIT. Yet I recognize my bias as I've raced Cannondale since 2010 - so the expectations are pretty high for front end rigidity and correspondingly low for comfort.
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#6
05-14-2016, 09:51 PM
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I think your paint is from 2008/2009. Don't quote me on that.
I have a new Road Logic and find the bike to be stable up to about 45-50mph.(Though I'm currently aerodynamically curvaceous and toroidal in shape I definitely need some deep-section hoops to get my fat ass over 50mph on our descents here). The Ritchey Logic fork isn't as stiff as some of the others I've ridden (including C-Dale, Ouzo Pro, Enve 2.0) but I don't find that it wanders on turns or switchbacks. Everything that BicycleTricycle said + paying attention to where you're placing your weight on this bike vs the other one. I always feel a bit more stable moving my weight forward a bit, toward the front wheel.
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IG: elysianbikeco
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#7
05-14-2016, 10:33 PM
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are you comfortable on that frame? looks small, strait post, seat forward, long stem. center of gravity too forward. would this happen on a larger frame? do you know the geometry? what's the seat tube angle?
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Cuando era joven
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#8
05-15-2016, 05:53 AM
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Quote:
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Chisholm's Custom Wheels Qui Si Parla Campagnolo
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#9
05-15-2016, 06:37 AM
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Quote:
That's a very interesting idea. To be sure, speed wobble existed before bladed spoke wheels were common, but it's another variable. 
__________________
'Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer.' -- W. C. Fields
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#10
05-15-2016, 06:40 AM
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Quote:
__________________
Chisholm's Custom Wheels Qui Si Parla Campagnolo
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#11
05-15-2016, 07:20 AM
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Is the fork original to the frame? I don't know if Ritchey made forks with different rakes, but I ran into this once. I bought a frame, then picked up a nice fork, but the frame was originally designed for a fork with a different rake. At speed, it could pick up and hold a wobble. Changing to a fork with the correct rake made all the difference. Maybe not applicable but a data point nonetheless.
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#12
05-15-2016, 02:12 PM
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I have the identical Break Away, 54 I believe, same color scheme, stock Ritchey fork and HS. I've never had an issue on descents, guessing I've hit 35 - 40 plenty of times. Speed wobbles are maddening, not to mention scary as hell. I had a Cervelo RS, early model, that went into a speed wobble at 45, thought I was going to be scrapped off the pavement. Sold it, couldn't ride it with confidence.
I have no suggestions for you. My only comment is that I have the same bike and haven't had any issues. Good luck and if you solve it, please post
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#13
05-15-2016, 02:31 PM
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how much do you weigh? more or less than the average bear?
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Ad astra. Tempus est. Andiamo!
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#14
05-15-2016, 03:17 PM
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Bike too small?
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#15
05-15-2016, 04:40 PM
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Put me in the camp of, "the bike's too small" and could be a contributor to your wobble.
Assuming you're not going to get rid of the bike to eliminate the wobble, here are some options: The fork is not an issue because of possible flex; it's stiff enough. Fork rake on the other hand, could be a problem. Even if the fork is outfitted with the correct rake fork for the frame size, the bike may actually need less rake/more trail than the OEM fork provides. In this case I'd suggest finding a test/temporary replacement on eBay. If it works, then either keep it or buy something new with the same specs. Check your headset for pitting and indexing. Try a different front wheel. Also, sometimes it's merely a matter of the front wheel's bike computer magnet throwing the wheel out of balance. Remove the magnet and test. The solution could be as simple as relocating the magnet.
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