Dwonhills - what am I doing wrong??

[velogirl]

Wow! Definitely brake with both front and rear at the same time. That's the way your bike is designed. If you brake with only front, you could endo. If you brake with only rear, you could skid. Apply both brakes evenly and adjust based on how your bike responds.

SnappyPix -- your wobble was likely caused not by bumping the bar/turning the wheel, but because you momentarily relieved weight from the front of the bike. When we descend, we should try to put a bit more weight on the front of the bike (one of the reasons you should always descend in your drops).

On of the biggest challenges with women's bike fit is that we modify man-sized bikes to fit our smaller upper bodies. We do this by adding a shorter stem. With older women and more recreational riders, we also put a stem with a large degree of rise, placing us in a more upright position. This combination (short, high stem), places too little weight on the front of the bike, which contributes to poor handling and speed wobble. If using a longer, lower stem isn't an option for you, try to consciously put more weight on the front of the bike when you descend, and I almost guarantee your speed wobble will disappear.

[Kathi]

Velogirl,

I agree with you about the changes from the intended design of the bike required to get a good women's fit causing handling issues. I wonder if some of the WSD frames also compromise handling because of their design.

I'm thinking the reason why I'm very comfortable at higher speeds on my new bike is because of its custom fit. Unlike my stock frame which was jerry rigged to fit me I don't notice the speed on my new bike.

Also, I now have handlebars that are the correct width for me and handbuilt wheels that were designed for lightweight me, thus less stiff than prebuilts and giving me a smoother ride.

My partner is looking at getting handbuilt wheels because he can't keep up with me!

[yogabear]

Just want to second the idea of using both front and rear brakes equally

Also, for myself, I feel more comfortable applying braking pressure in 'extreme' conditions such as fast downhills while riding in my drops. I am a tiny rider so I have little hands and also, I don't have a lot of hand strength. I like how my bike brakes better in the drops in certain situations, especially when downhilling in 'scary' fast situations