rough pavement descents

[hardtdavid]

I take my Sofrider V1 on road rides. In general, descending at speed took some getting used to, relaxing into it more, as well as preparing the nerves ahead of time.

I could use advice/comments on the following observation/sensation:

When descending on anything other than very smooth asphalt, the bike seems to lose sensation of steering contact with the road. This is just sensation, not actual losing contact. It is very un-nerving. If I repeat that hill days later, and again over time, I eventually develop a sense of relaxation and "trust" that allows me to go ahead at full speed rather than braking.

Any notion on what causes this or how to modify out of it? i've been reading about bike geometry, handling, and "geometric trail." Don't know if the V1 geometry has anything to do with it, or if the V2 feels any different in similar circumstances.

I have the seat one notch forward of center position (out of the five available positions), thinking the center of gravity shift should help handling with the seat angle lower. The seat is fairly laid back, perhaps around 45 degrees.

I read recently about reducing tire pressure for better ride feel, and, thinking that I could increase "pneumatiac trail" as well, reduced the pressure on the Kenda 26x1.5's to the 70-80 range. That has seemed to help a little bit.

Since I weigh 165lb, I also reduced the rear suspension tension to about "1/4" position, hoping that would decrease the head angle slightly, and perhaps increase "trail" slightly. I think a sense a small change, and perhaps an improvement, in general downhill stability. May try relaxing the suspension all the way.

Of course, I've changed all these things at one time, which means I don't know for sure which change made a particular difference.

Or is all of this just in my head? Perhaps more experience on the bike will alleviate any concerns with confidence under varying terrain and smoothness conditions? I have 200-300 miles on the bike, at least.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[John Tolhurst]

I think I understand the feeling you describe. Apart from the decent, your riding is generally done while pedalling. I suspect that if you continue to pedal - only very lightly - you will retain your sense of connection to the frame and the handling will continue to have the same feel. I dislike high speed desents on any bike I am not very familiar with.

 

[hardtdavid]

Yes, I have already noticed that continuing to pedal helps, probably because the feet stay active in maintaining some sense of steering control on the FWD bike.

Do you get this sensation on rougher pavement descents on a Sofrider/Freerider (which I am riding), or on a Silvio, or other recumbents (FWD or not)? I want to say I may have had at least a little similar sensation on an unsuspended diamond frame, but it's been a few years since I rode one. And I would have thought that the suspension would absorb the surface imperfections enough to not "jar" my sense of the road under the front wheel. There is no adjustment to the front suspension on a Sofrider, right? Which is why I'm fiddling with the rear suspension to see if it alters any of that sensation.

 

[super slim]

Re: rough pavement descents

If you only ride on bitumen roads, would checking the load on the front and rear wheels using two identical digital bath scales, and adjust the seat for/aft position until a 50% / 50% load is acheived on the wheels as the Silvio acheives tis with its fixed seat.

Regards

Super Slim

 

[MrSteve]

Sofrider VI

I must have more time on my V1 than you do,
having ridden it for years, but I remember feeling what you describe.

Seat-time helps a lot. Practice makes perfect and all that.

Pedaling lightly down hill works and as a side benefit of pedaling,
you accumulate extra momentum for the next hill climb!

Here's something else I've found, tinkering on my Sofrider:
there are a few long grades in my regular route which gets
my bike moving fast.
So fast that I felt the need to try some aerodynamic tricks.
The first thing I tried was making some cardboard wheel covers for
the rear wheel.

With the wheel covers in place, the bike both rolled down hill quicker and coasted farther
than it did stock, as you'd expect.
What surprised me though, was how much more stable, more sure-footed
my bike felt at speed!
Side-winds are not a problem... gusts from passing semis are felt, but are not a problem.

I've long since retired my cardboard wheel covers for permanent wheel covers.

Front wheel cover, you ask?
I don't know. I have never tried -or even tested- covers on my front wheel.

But covered/faired back wheels work great on my Sofrider V1.

The V2 must feel more secure, must handle more confidently than the V1, out of the box:
-the wheelbase of the V2 is longer than the V1s';
-The seat height of the V2 is lower than the V1s'.

I hope this helps,

-Steve

P.S.:

I feel no desire for any other bike, as my Sofrider V1 works for me really, really well.
...Except, perhaps, for a Cruzbike Vendetta. Maybe.