Wheel-flopping Gitane
08-01-18, 03:39 PM
#1
Bad example
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Bikes: Peugeot: AO-8 1973, PA-10 1971, PR-10 1973, Sante 1988; Masi Gran Criterium 1975, Stevenson Tourer 1980, Stevenson Criterium 1981, Schwinn Paramount 1972, Rodriguez 2006, Gitane Federal ~1975, Holdsworth Pro, Follis 172 ~1973, Bianchi '62
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Wheel-flopping Gitane
At the Co-op I have been working on an old Gitane Mixte. It is low end, with the usual Delrin Simplex derailleurs and cottered steel crank. Yesterday we put on a pair of aluminum 27” wheels to replace the steel ones. After we got everything adjusted, I took it for a short ride in the parking lot. To put it mildly, it Did Not Feel Right. The front end felt as though the wheel wanted to flop from side to side. I have ridden quite a few bikes (including French bikes from that era) and have never come across that. I did not have a lot of time to look further at the frame but since yesterday I have been wondering if the fork was a poorly chosen replacement. When my client comes back in, I want to measure the trail and the frame angles to see if I can spot anything amiss. Can you kind folks suggest anything else I should keep my eye on?
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Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
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08-02-18, 06:40 AM
#2
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I think that's just your first reaction to low trail. Handling is quicker. Some people like it, many people don't. But it takes getting used to. Not knowing any measurements, I could be wrong.
If the a-c on a replacement fork is a lot more than the fork that came on the bike, it will decrease the trail and increase the flop. That is bad on a fork with a lot of rake.
If the a-c on a replacement fork is a lot more than the fork that came on the bike, it will decrease the trail and increase the flop. That is bad on a fork with a lot of rake.
08-02-18, 09:42 AM
#3
Bad example
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Seattle and Reims
Posts: 3,067
Bikes: Peugeot: AO-8 1973, PA-10 1971, PR-10 1973, Sante 1988; Masi Gran Criterium 1975, Stevenson Tourer 1980, Stevenson Criterium 1981, Schwinn Paramount 1972, Rodriguez 2006, Gitane Federal ~1975, Holdsworth Pro, Follis 172 ~1973, Bianchi '62
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I think that's just your first reaction to low trail. Handling is quicker. Some people like it, many people don't. But it takes getting used to. Not knowing any measurements, I could be wrong.
If the a-c on a replacement fork is a lot more than the fork that came on the bike, it will decrease the trail and increase the flop. That is bad on a fork with a lot of rake.
If the a-c on a replacement fork is a lot more than the fork that came on the bike, it will decrease the trail and increase the flop. That is bad on a fork with a lot of rake.
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Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
