Touring - Shaky Steel Fork

I have a Surly Crosscheck I use for various things including touring. I've noticed that sometimes when I brake, it feels a little shaky. I thought it might because its a steel fork, has anyone else experienced this? It never happens with my road bike (carbon fork).

Are you using canti brakes? Sometimes you get what is know as 'chatter' if they are not toed in properly, and on some brakes it's just about impossible to get rid of. It's more annoying than anything.

Are you using canti brakes? Sometimes you get what is know as 'chatter' if they are not toed in properly, and on some brakes it's just about impossible to get rid of. It's more annoying than anything.

Yeah, I do have canti brakes, that must be it.

If the brakes don't turn out to be the cause, I'd check your stem/headset. Especially with threadless stems/headsets (which I assume you have), it's very easy to have the stem/headset on a little too loose which can cause the fork to wobble a bit in the headtube. This behavior would be most evident when the bike is decelerating due to applying the front brake.

I agree with Syntax PC, if the fork actually seems to be moving. Stand next to the bike and put the front brake on full, rock the bike forward and backwards. If the fork appears loose, loosen the stem attachment to the fork/stearing tube; tighten firmly (don't go nuts) the bolt on top of the stem that compresses the stack via a star nut in the stearing tube, the idea is to take out the play; re-tighten the compresion bolt that secures the stem.

On a threaded stem one can normally retighten the lock nuts by hand, while rolling. Just apply enough brake pressure to stand the fork up and re-tighten the nuts by hand.

Cantis can cause vibration as noted, it's really a question of whether the forks actually are loose. While rolling, if you apply the front brake, you can see the fork tuck in if it's loose. If the simple steps noted don't cure your fork wobble, don't ride the bike until it is properly checked out.