Ironhead
Too supple for prison.
During the final couple of miles of the ride before last my bike developed a bizarre quirk: it acted like it really wanted to slide out from underneath me during low gear changes, corners, and especially when braking. I was close to home so I didn’t stop but when I got there I definitely expected to find the rear tire coated in oil, (which happened to me once before on another bike), but everything seemed perfect. Everything tight, brakes normal, healthy looking and clean tire tread, etc. I dismissed it as my imagination but on the very next ride, after about 25 minutes in 75F weather, the exact same thing happened - and quickly. The bike went from predictable and stable to suddenly squirming all over the damn road as I pulled to a stoplight. It no longer wanted to track properly. It was as if I was riding on ice. Really fekking unnerving. I limped it home and again I could find nothing obviously wrong.
Here’s what’s so:
• First thing I did after it cooled off from the first ride was to check the tire pressure - front and back. Dead on perfect but I let out a few pounds from each tire anyway, thinking it might help.
• I don’t think that at any time the rear tire actually spun on the pavement. More like it slid a little, or wanted to slide.
• Yes, the bike has been lowered. 1.5” front and rear but it’s been lowered for months without trouble, and again, this apparently only happens after it’s thoroughly warm.
• Tires are tubeless.
• I was riding alone both times so no one was able to follow and observe or ride it themselves.
I have asked a few other riders for their theories and at this point I’ve heard ONE that I think might have some merit. I will avoid mentioning that theory here, so as not to bias the community towards it.
Please… PLEASE gimme your thoughts.
Here’s what’s so:
• First thing I did after it cooled off from the first ride was to check the tire pressure - front and back. Dead on perfect but I let out a few pounds from each tire anyway, thinking it might help.
• I don’t think that at any time the rear tire actually spun on the pavement. More like it slid a little, or wanted to slide.
• Yes, the bike has been lowered. 1.5” front and rear but it’s been lowered for months without trouble, and again, this apparently only happens after it’s thoroughly warm.
• Tires are tubeless.
• I was riding alone both times so no one was able to follow and observe or ride it themselves.
I have asked a few other riders for their theories and at this point I’ve heard ONE that I think might have some merit. I will avoid mentioning that theory here, so as not to bias the community towards it.
Please… PLEASE gimme your thoughts.