Originally Posted by
Shadco
no it’s old age balance issues the bar drop hasn’t had any effect. It’s that I feel I have to always pay complete attention and can’t relax at all.
I will be trying out the Giants since we have them at the shop where I work but no Times near my size.
.
Head angle and trail will make a diff. in handling, and to some extent, wheelbase. But wheelbase has more impact on uphill (and downhill) handling and weight distribution.
Here are the Geometry Geeks numbers of the Gunnar and on the Giant Revolt in M & ML sizes.
https://geometrygeeks.bike/compare/g...1-2022-m-long/
Given the differences in head angle and trail, the handling should be noticeably diff.
An M revolt has the same stack as the Gunnar (in 56), so saddle to bar drop setup should be quite similar. Reach on the Revolt is 1.4 cm shorter, but easy enough to adjust with stem choice, and you might like the shorter reach.
Tire width will also have an affect on 'handling', wider giving just a bit less responsive, less twitchy, handling. Your Gunnar looks like it has 23s, just my visual perception - and the chainstay length doesn't look like it could handle much more than 25 - which won't be a real diff.
The longer rear triangle on the Revolt will certainly allow some choices in tire type and width - which gives more options for performance/handling.
All this doesn't mean there is some set 'apparent diff' that one can count on.
Really, you should ride an assortment of bikes to get a real feel for what they offer and what suits your wanted performance.
I picked the Revolt because it offers the greatest variation/difference from your Gunnar.
Ride on
Yuri
EDIT: the other seemingly small thing which will affect 'handling', is bar width. Given the same stem length and bar 'reach' (not overall reach, bar reach is the distance of the bar bend forward of the rear axis along the bar width).
A slightly wider bar with the same stem length will be discernibly less twitchy. If you currently have a 42, try a 44, or 46. This also has it's effect on 'posture', and how flexible you are for shock absorption and handling. Sometimes greater width allows better shock absorption and improved handling; but often it just promotes more rigid A-framing and increased shock thru arms to shoulders and neck... depends on the rider...