Ah. How many rides on the new wheels?

The Ardennes+ I had before let the 25s expand to a measured 28 and I was able to run them quite a bit softer. That was very confidence inspiring, but the wheels were appreciably heavier too. Maybe I'll drop the pressure in the GP5000s 5 psi and see if they behave a little less sketchy.

10 or 12, maybe.

The first time I put light wheels on a bike, I think it stopped feeling novel after 6 or so rides. Maybe you're just more sensitive to it than I am.

I do remember the front end becoming a lot lighter.

I think the ones I put on were alloy and on the high side of 1500g,, coming from the stock DA-22 at around 2100g

Low riders on the front

40°c

I only went down about 300g total with these. I am just a wimp who can't control his bike.

True. Admitting you have a problem is the first step toward recovery.

Or maybe you are more attuned; I literally couldn't feel a difference going to my Rails from my Belgium C2s.

I could tell they looked much better though.

These wheels make a noticeable positive difference in how the bike feels most of the time and maybe I am more attuned, but I have some trouble attributing the wobbles to that. They are the first carbon wheels I've ever tried.

Did you maybe square off the tires? I remember last year an issue where I squared mine off in long-straight tri training, then rode them at COTA and could feel a lot of squirreliness on curves as the tires flopped over the newly-sharp shoulders.

Are you having speed wobble, or just a unfamiliar shakiness at higher than normal speed. Speed wobble sucks.
Common solutions, place a knee against the top tube. Lift butt off seat slightly, loosen death grip on bars. Move weight rearward. Have front wheel checked for improper spoke tension. One all or some can be employed.

Drinking is not the answer.

I was thinking about starting up again.

The tires are new and we're not talking curves, just bumpy straights at speed. On smooth pavement, it's still a delight. The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced the main problem is me stiffening up because of how the bike feels.

Wind
 

Speaking of wind... just wrapped up my day and was going to go for a short ride but it’s blowing 25 steadily and gusting to 50. Going to have some gin instead.

I get almost to the wobble stage, but can get it to go away by slowing down, relaxing, my arms and shifting my weight back on the saddle. I think the question is why the thing is spooking me and what I can do about it.

Stepheeeeen! :love:
I hope they stay ok.

I switched from a Felt F5 to Z4 back in 2015 prior to having some surgical repair done on my hip. Despite what is supposed to be a more stable bike, it felt odd, and I always stiffen up on descents. There is one where 50ish on the F5 felt fine that I’m afraid to do faster than 38-40 now. I tense up and get speed wobble.

Yeah, keeping the arms loose and free is critical. I get the same thing if I start to shiver on a downhill. As my wife and sailing buddies will tell you, I'm just a nervous little guy. :rolleyes:

Incidentally, the bike is an R3 with discs and it should feel great on anything.

Weird day:

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...26f4f92632.jpg

maybe it’s just taking time to “get used to it”?

I have the R3 coming if Excel ever ships it. I’m actually pretty excited to go back to rim from disc.

Woke up to clouds. Then it snowed hard enough to limit visibility to two blocks or so. Then the sun came out, melting any accumulation. Then it snowed again, just as hard. Then the sun came back out and melted it again. :rolleyes:

Mine sure does. :p

Really though, every time I take it out, lotta smiles per mile.

That sounds likely enough, given everything you're ruling out.

I actually just did.

There is a possibility, not likely but still a possibility, of a manufacturing defect somewhere. I raise that possibility because my bike when new had a similar sketchy feel and pulled to the left. After detailed investigation with carpenters level and string I found the front and back wheels were not plumb. The dropouts were not inserted correctly with the result that the axles were not horizontal. A bit of very careful work with a round file fixed the problem. This is not the case with your bike as it was fine before the wheel change. But don't assume new wheels from a known manufacturer are built perfectly.

Says who?

You guys know that I was kidding, right?

#teetotaler

I finished The Balvenie last night. That was the last of the whisky. :eek: