Handling stability / Handlebar height
02-04-07, 02:10 PM
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Handling stability / Handlebar height
Read somewhere recently that front wheel sketchiness might be caused by having bars too high, resulting in weight being too far back? Anyone ever here of this or experience it?
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02-04-07, 02:34 PM
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Less weight over the front wheel the less 'sketchiness' you going to have, thats why you sit up and take all your weight off the front wheel when you ride no hands.
02-04-07, 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by recneps
Less weight over the front wheel the less 'sketchiness' you going to have, thats why you sit up and take all your weight off the front wheel when you ride no hands.
Lower handlebar height probably does make the bike more stable because it'll lower the rider's center of gravity. What would you rather take a high speed turn on?...a Harley or a Sportbike?
02-04-07, 04:07 PM
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I do know a shorter stem makes for a twitchy front end. Would raising the stem not affectively shorten the stem length due to the rake of the headtube?
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02-04-07, 04:38 PM
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Any riding position with a center of gravity much different from the bike's design will noticeably affect the bike's handling. Moving your weight too far back will take weight off the front wheel and making the steering less stable (except when you're going downhill).
02-04-07, 08:50 PM
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Originally Posted by garysol1
I do know a shorter stem makes for a twitchy front end. Would raising the stem not affectively shorten the stem length due to the rake of the headtube?
02-04-07, 09:06 PM
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Lower center of gravity = better handling.
Examples; 1) watch a crit, everyone corners in the drops not on the hoods.
2) motorcycle designs, for high performance handling, are designed to provide a low center of gravity.
Now the difference in raising or loweringthe handlebars a few centimeters may be nominal, but ceterus peribus lower handlebars equal better stability.
Examples; 1) watch a crit, everyone corners in the drops not on the hoods.
2) motorcycle designs, for high performance handling, are designed to provide a low center of gravity.
Now the difference in raising or loweringthe handlebars a few centimeters may be nominal, but ceterus peribus lower handlebars equal better stability.
