Wandering handling

I think (famous last words)... i've got it sorted. Only had a brief ride so the commute tomorrow morning should be more conclusive.

I basically took the front wheel off, retorqued fork clamps, installed front wheel and torqued up axle and clamp bolts. Not sure what was loose, but one of the steps seems to have improved things.

I guess gratifyingly sometimes it is the simplest thing, despite worrying about all the more annoying and complicated stuff.

Thanks all for the input. Appreciated as ever.

You said in your first post that the tyres are nearly new...... Possibly the the tyre fitter did things up in the wrong order or trapped stresses in the fork legs when he did everything up..
 
AAAAHHHHH - I'm confusing myself now!

Thought it was sorted but after a couple of dry days commuting realise that it was just wishful thinking on my part. The wobble and uncertain feeling remains. The sensation changes a bit when altering pressures, but does not go away.

Took it to FWR in Kennington yesterday who said the front tyre was well out of balance, but they've now rebalanced and it doesn't feel any better. So that's another cause off the list.

I'm going on holiday in a couple of weeks and had always planned to put the front and rear shocks into ABE to be refurbed while I'm away - so that's a possible avenue to resolution. I really don't think it feels like the shocks though (although previous bikes I've ridden which lost dampening all had conventional forks - so maybe telelever reacts differently to shocks being fooked).

My main thoughts are for the tyres - Anakee 2s. I'm pretty sure I first noticed the wobble soon after having these fitted (in December I think).

I'm thinking that if I buy a new pair and it immediately fixes the issue - then I know the Anakees were faulty and I should be able to send them to Michelin... ? And if the new tyres don't make a difference then the problem is something else, and I have a perfectly good pair of Anakee 2s ready to fit when the newer pair run down.

If Michelin do refund or replace - then it seems a win-win.

Anyone ever tried to send a suspect tyre to Michelin?
 
If you know someone with the same bike as you, perhaps you could swap over parts, one by one and figure out what the problem is. Before you spend loads of cash on new tyres and shock refurbs etc. I'm not suggesting either your tyres or shocks are to blame, just cautioning you that it starts to add up quickly when you start replacing loads of stuff to find a problem. DAMHIK.
 
Hi jamieboy,
Sorry to hear your problem's not fixed.
Before you spend a lot of time and money:eek: swopping or overhauling bits or changing tyres, would it not be worth getting in touch with Steptoe and arranging to visit to him?
He could give the bike a road test and a good check over and see what his opinion is.
If it proved to be tyres then Michelin would replace and investigate why - but worth getting a 2nd opinion on symptoms first from an experienced guy like Steptoe:thumb

Cheers..............Grizzly
 
I had similar handling issues with my 1150 a number of years ago. Ruined a trip to Scotland as I just couldn't trust the front end - everything felt vague and unconnected somehow. Eventually traced to a loose nut on the telelever pivot. Easy to check and certainly a lot less hassle than changing the ball joint - Good luck and let us know:thumb
 
Sorted.

It was the front tyre.

I got a new anakee 2 put on this morning and voila - bike tracks perfectly and front feels smooth.

The tyre shop (FWR in Kennington) is sending the tyre back to Michelin. Hopefuly the 'fess up to the defect and refund me. Will let you know.

As ever, thanks to everyone here for your thoughts and input.
 


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