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Speed wobbles ?

0 watcher
Mar 2011
5:49pm, 26 Mar 2011
47 posts
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Still a bit
Like scribbler I have also had my first bike crash today.

I was on the third time round local hill Arthurs seat, coming down at about 40 km/ hour turned into a bend, not sharp but designed for oil tankers.
The front wheel starts to wobble uncontrollably I start braking but the wobble continues, I realise I have no chance of making it round the bend and to use a quote"tried to look for a soft spot" which I think I found.

Good news is I'm just a bit bruised, well maybe a lot bruised but I suspect we won't find that out until tomorrow.

The front left gear / brake lever is looking like "an insurance job" but other than that the bike seems ok.
Bruise on my head indicates that the helmet took a good whack, but there are no signs of cracks in the polystyrene or the the plastic cover.

So my big questions are,

should I replace the helmet?

What causes speed wobbles ?

How do you get the bike under control once it starts ?

Are they called speed wobbles ?
Mar 2011
5:56pm, 26 Mar 2011
146 posts
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fastfreddiescat
I ride a motorcycle & if my lid takes a bash it is replaced.....no if's or but's, my head is too important & a new Shoei is real expensive.
Speed wobbles : check your tyre pressures, on a m/c we use stearing dampers, is that an option?

any of this any good?
Mar 2011
6:24pm, 26 Mar 2011
48 posts
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Still a bit
My instinct is that you are right about the helmet but I wanted some second opinions. And there is an element of wishful thinking that I don't need to replace it :)

Not heard of steering compensators for a bike, trying to under stand if it's just me going too fast or a setup thing on the bike / wheels
Mar 2011
6:37pm, 26 Mar 2011
161 posts
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GeeeM
I've had this and it's scary!

A tip someone gave me was to put pressure on the top tube crossbar with your knee which can dampen the vibrations / speed wobble. It's worked for me so far up to speeds of 42mph!
Mar 2011
6:39pm, 26 Mar 2011
162 posts
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GeeeM
I knew I'd seen an article about it over on bikeradar :-)

bikeradar.com
Mar 2011
6:43pm, 26 Mar 2011
1,890 posts
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Mudlark/P T.
facebook.com

This guy might have your awnswer,hes web site is called 'one man & his bike '
Mar 2011
7:14pm, 26 Mar 2011
14,579 posts
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Stepford Wife
Yes to replacing the helmet - it's really not worth finding out it's knackered next time you crash :-/
Mar 2011
7:28pm, 26 Mar 2011
3,034 posts
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The pilotlight
if you get a speed wobble, clasp your thighs on the top tube, they says it helps. i'll find an article on ctc site about them. in 30 years of cycling I have only expereinced twice.
Mar 2011
7:30pm, 26 Mar 2011
3,035 posts
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The pilotlight
ctc.org.uk
Mar 2011
11:02pm, 26 Mar 2011
49 posts
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Still a bit
Great line in that article, hence fat old men suffer more shimmy problems on super light race bikes than the lean athletes they were designed for :)

Think that probably covers most of it but, once the bike is fixed, will practice that knee clasp thing.

About This Thread

Maintained by fetcheveryone
Like scribbler I have also had my first bike crash today.

I was on the third time round local hi...
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