advice

When you say 'jittery and unstable' does the front wheel actually start developing speed wobbles, that is does it start oscillating back and forth and making the whole bike shake or is it more a question of feeling like it's quicker to steer, doesn't want to track a straight line as easily, is harder to ride no-hands or in other words is a bit twitchier?

If it's speed wobbles then it can be as simple as double checking your headset and hub adjustments, running a bit less air pressure in the tires or perhaps adjusting your position a bit to redistribute your weight. Some bikes break into oscillations on faster descents and sometimes on rougher pavement or gusty crosswinds. Often it's the result of a tight or loose headset or other adjustment but ultimately it's like a car's suspension when the shocks go South and the entire system is underdamped and prone to oscillate. Clamping the top tube with your knees, relaxing your elbows and trying to stay relaxed while dampening the vibrations is the key and hard braking is a really bad idea.

But if it's a case of a more responsive geometry on the newer bike with a quicker race style geometry on a bike that's performing as it was designed then it's more a question of riding the bike and deciding if you want that kind of performer. It's a lot like driving a high performance sports car as opposed to a sedan, they get up and go a lot better but are quicker in and out of turns, quicker to change lanes, etc and take some getting used to.

Definitely make sure you're positioned well on the bike, see a good bike fitter (not just a sales person in the bike shop) to see if you should make changes to fore aft positioning, stem length and height, etc. But if that's all good then your only real options are perhaps a bit wider tires run at slightly lower pressure like running 25c tires instead of 23c tires. But some bikes are twitchier and more responsive than others and not everyone appreciates the ride or the attention they require to ride comfortably in a straight line and to avoid over steering into the corners. But if you want to ride faster and or race then most folks find they adjust nicely to the quicker handling of a race bike once they give it time.

Good luck,
-Dave

ajcassandrea said:

[FONT=Calibri]Advice[/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri]Hello I am writing this in hope of someone being able to give me some advise. I used to own a Giant TCR Composit One. I was very happy with my bike I felt good and safe on the descents and had no problem going fast on them. It all changed recently when my family gave me form my birthday a new bike. It is a beautiful Pinarello FB6 that I love to ride. The problem is this. My new bike is awesome during climbs but on the descents it feels jittery and unstable.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]To me it is extremely light to what I was used to. The bike came with some Reynolds Attack wheels. I am not sure if this feeling is due to the bike being new or if I am doing something wrong.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Do you think my position , post height, distance to the stem are factors to this feeling?[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]If I put my old wheels which are heavier do you think the bike will become more stable.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Please help . I love my new bike but I am not enjoying it as much on the descents as I should[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Regards[/FONT]

daveryanwyoming said:

When you say 'jittery and unstable' does the front wheel actually start developing speed wobbles, that is does it start oscillating back and forth and making the whole bike shake or is it more a question of feeling like it's quicker to steer, doesn't want to track a straight line as easily, is harder to ride no-hands or in other words is a bit twitchier?

If it's speed wobbles then it can be as simple as double checking your headset and hub adjustments, running a bit less air pressure in the tires or perhaps adjusting your position a bit to redistribute your weight. Some bikes break into oscillations on faster descents and sometimes on rougher pavement or gusty crosswinds. Often it's the result of a tight or loose headset or other adjustment but ultimately it's like a car's suspension when the shocks go South and the entire system is underdamped and prone to oscillate. Clamping the top tube with your knees, relaxing your elbows and trying to stay relaxed while dampening the vibrations is the key and hard braking is a really bad idea.

But if it's a case of a more responsive geometry on the newer bike with a quicker race style geometry on a bike that's performing as it was designed then it's more a question of riding the bike and deciding if you want that kind of performer. It's a lot like driving a high performance sports car as opposed to a sedan, they get up and go a lot better but are quicker in and out of turns, quicker to change lanes, etc and take some getting used to.

Definitely make sure you're positioned well on the bike, see a good bike fitter (not just a sales person in the bike shop) to see if you should make changes to fore aft positioning, stem length and height, etc. But if that's all good then your only real options are perhaps a bit wider tires run at slightly lower pressure like running 25c tires instead of 23c tires. But some bikes are twitchier and more responsive than others and not everyone appreciates the ride or the attention they require to ride comfortably in a straight line and to avoid over steering into the corners. But if you want to ride faster and or race then most folks find they adjust nicely to the quicker handling of a race bike once they give it time.

Good luck,
-Dave

Thank you Dave, I will first check the headset and hub adjustments. After I will see a fitter.
You have been very kind.
Regars

FWIW. Since you know how your [FONT=Calibri]Giant TCR Composit One[/FONT] handles, if you still have it, then do a test ride with the Reynolds wheels mounted in your Giant frame ...

That way, you'll know if it's the wheels or the way the Pinarello is set up.

ajcassandrea said:

[FONT=Calibri]Advice[/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri]Hello I am writing this in hope of someone being able to give me some advise. I used to own a Giant TCR Composit One. I was very happy with my bike I felt good and safe on the descents and had no problem going fast on them. It all changed recently when my family gave me form my birthday a new bike. It is a beautiful Pinarello FB6 that I love to ride. The problem is this. My new bike is awesome during climbs but on the descents it feels jittery and unstable.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]To me it is extremely light to what I was used to. The bike came with some Reynolds Attack wheels. I am not sure if this feeling is due to the bike being new or if I am doing something wrong.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Do you think my position , post height, distance to the stem are factors to this feeling?[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]If I put my old wheels which are heavier do you think the bike will become more stable.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Please help . I love my new bike but I am not enjoying it as much on the descents as I should[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Regards[/FONT]

hi had similar exspierience went from hybrid with suspenion to road cube aerial very nervous on decents as front felt so light compared to old bike but you will get used to it ,now really enjoy the extra responce i think not locking up your arms makes a big difference and relaxing ....soon you,ll be going down hills while on your mobile phone .....

hod65 said:

hi had similar exspierience went from hybrid with suspenion to road cube aerial very nervous on decents as front felt so light compared to old bike but you will get used to it ,now really enjoy the extra responce i think not locking up your arms makes a big difference and relaxing ....soon you,ll be going down hills while on your mobile phone .....

First of all, I am very jealous. You wouldn't want to trade families, would you??? Oh well, I think hod65 is spot on. You will get used to the lighter, more responsive bike. It just takes a little time. Just don't be doing downhills on your mobike phone:eek:!