damonwang

My work has a bike-share program that lends out the Giant Suede GX. At training we were told that this model was chosen specifically because it was very stable and easy to ride, but after several weeks I still have trouble going straight. The bicycle just naturally seems to want to weave all over the lane, and I can hardly ride ten minutes before my shoulders and upper arms start getting sore from the effort of holding it steady. Due to the logistics of the bike-share program, I get a different bike almost every time, so I'm sure this isn't some sort of hardware defect in the bicycle itself. How did the manufacturer imagine I would ride this to hold a decent line?

Outside of work I usually ride an old ten-speed with drop bars and friction stem shifters, so I'm entirely ready to believe that I've picked up some habits that would be unusual on a modern bike. For example, I still accidentally engage the coaster brake at least once a week when I forget about the telescoping saddle and try pedaling backwards to "post" over bumps.

NormanF

Its a crank forward I believe and you will have to get used to riding it with a different set of muscles. It can take awhile to get used to a CF style of riding. Its not the bike.

Retro Grouch 

A too tight headset will make the bike act that way but you said you have the issue on several different bikes. Do other riders have the same complaint?

damonwang

I don't think the problem is in the bicycle.

I'm afraid I don't personally know anyone else who uses the bike share, and I haven't taken the time to track down anyone from the program itself (I am at work, after all). My guess is that they don't---the handful of times I've seen someone else on a loaned bike, they seemed able to hold a good line.

Another reason I think I'm doing something wrong myself is, I have this problem with a friend's Dutch-style singlespeed. It might be the handlebars, because that bicycle handles much better if I grasp the bars right next to the stem instead of at the grips at the ends. At least, until my hands cramp up or I get tired of looking like a fool.

Kimmitt 

Yeah, that actually might be worth a visit to a sports doc to discuss.