Bike wobbles with no hands: Why?

Could also be frame shimmy, check out: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/shimmy.html

^

Defintely the last I expect ...

I am quite happy riding my old racing bike (an orbit) no handed most of the time and my mountain bike. However my shorter racer and my specialized allez I find quite difficult to ride no handed. I think it is the tighter geometry.

The tighter geometry may make it a bit less stable/easier to change direction but it shouldn't make the bike actually wobble should it. That would suggest an actual problem.

It depends ... my old Marin used to wobble from side to side until the suspension fork was nicked and I got a new one. Once it had the newer fork the "problem" dissapeared.

One of my road bikes wobbles when I ride no handed, but that's because a) it has really short, tight and fairly steep geometry, and b) it's made out of really thin, flexible steel tubing. It's actually quite scary to ride but it's very pleasurable once you stop fearing the enflexment of the frame when you pedal. So comfy it's like riding a full sus MTB but without the weight or wasted energy.

It depends ... my old Marin used to wobble from side to side until the suspension fork was nicked and I got a new one. Once it had the newer fork the "problem" dissapeared.

So the suspension fork was causing the issue then surely?

Can't see how geometry would make a bike wobble but I haven't ridden it so clearly I am not in a position to say :-)

My track frame rides no hands without any problems, tested today by riding no handed for upwards of 10 minutes. Over bumps, around corners etc,. with no issues at all.

What I was trying to get at that it can be a number of things and it isn't easily diagnosed.

buckled wheels

After I crashed one of my old race bikes into the side of a mountain at speed it would always steer left.. so to ride no hands I'd be twisted/leaning around to the right quite a bit. It took a bit to get used to it and must've looked fucking odd to outsiders.

After I crashed one of my old race bikes into the side of a mountain at speed it would always steer left.. so to ride no hands I'd be twisted/leaning around to the right quite a bit. It took a bit to get used to it and must've looked fucking odd to outsiders.

and at what point have you looked normal?

Back then I may have looked normal.

What I was trying to get at that it can be a number of things and it isn't easily diagnosed.

Agreed. Was referring specifically to your tight geometry as a reason comment, which I don't agree with. Could be the shimmy issue that was linked to.

And no one has said it but a a wobble could be caused by a lack of skill :-)

Agreed. Was referring specifically to your tight geometry as a reason comment, which I don't agree with. Could be the shimmy issue that was linked to.

And no one has said it but a a wobble could be caused by a lack of skill :-)

You lack reading skills, hippy made this suggestion in post no 3 in the thread.

You lack reading skills, hippy made this suggestion in post no 3 in the thread.

Yes, yes I do.
Well two people have said it now then so must be that lack of skill thing causing the wobble.
Maybe challenge people to see if they can ride the wobbly bike no handed and win a big teddy bear if they can? Roll up, Roll up.

just because two people have said so, does not make it a fact

others have suggested the headset...

Yeah.. we could have bets on how far we can make it. Maybe raise some money in a Wobble-o-thon. Oh lordy the possibilities are endless. Call the PM!

Paul Michel?

Paul Michel for PM!

just because two people have said so, does not make it a fact

others have suggested the headset...

I was joking, yes more likely to be a bike fault somewhere.

I think its the pedals.

Its always the ffing pedals.

Club foot?

There could be a rift in the space-time continuum near your house causing these wobbles.
What happens is the front part of the bike actually travels slightly faster or slower than the rear end of the bike due to time-dilation principles (which are too detailed for me to explain here).
Essentially, you need to consult your local wizard (some warlocks will also be of use but tend to charge more) for a remedial time flux resolution spell.

Good luck.

Perhaps we are in the midst of magnetic reversal of the poles.

Did you feel that?

Yes, impressive isn't it.

First time I've ever had that response.

:)