Author Topic: Shaking on the downhills  (Read 18287 times)

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Offline Lowly Swale

Re: Shaking on the downhills
« Reply #15 on: November 13, 2010, 07:59:31 am »
I had such a problem with a BOB trailer on a suspension mountain bike, Marin/Whyte quad link back end. No problem with light loads but really un-nerving. The shimmy was so severe as to steer me across the road, luckily no oncoming traffic.
It occurred at about 20mph.
Dilemma, I used Bob trailer to allow a more comfortable full suspension bike.
Changing back to rigid cures the problem but then I could just have used panniers.
Lightening the load helps but then there might be times when I want to carry heavy stuff like water on dry sections of GDMBR.
Any advice/ observations?

Offline humunuku

Re: Shaking on the downhills
« Reply #16 on: November 13, 2010, 07:52:15 pm »
I had a shimmy caused by a jacket that I had strapped to my rack...when I got going fast, the slight flapping of the jacket then transferred to the bike...i now put everything that could blow around in panniers

Offline knolltop

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Re: Shaking on the downhills
« Reply #17 on: November 16, 2010, 01:21:50 pm »
Guy's journal on CGOAB mentions this problem at length.  Semi permanent first aid treatment was to stretch bungee cord between head tube and seat post.  This significantly reduced shimmy.
Course would be MUCH better to solve problem permanently before ya leave.
Also, ya may find better gear weight distriution to be 60% front & 40 & rear.
+-+ Michael +-+

Offline Tandem4Rider

Re: Shaking on the downhills
« Reply #18 on: November 23, 2010, 06:40:16 am »
I'd second the suggestion to check the rack screws to ensure they are tight enough.  We had the kids in a trailer and hit a down hill segment that made the tandem sway in a most disconcerting manner.  Fearing something going seriously wrong my inspection revealed a slight flaw in the hitch attachment.  It was hard to believe such a small flaw could cause such a violent sway, but after easily replacing the offending part all was good.