Handling Corners?

[westtexas]

I've done a couple of rides on my Redline CX bike with the same tires from my SuperSix. Even that corners better than the Synapse, but not as well as the SuperSix. Stiffness/geometry-wise the Redline is right between the Cannondales. Redline and Synapse are both aluminum, SuperSix is carbon.

I was confused by your mushy comments about the Synapse as well - I corner great on mine, much better than my old bike. But, my Synapse is all carbon with very upgraded wheels. I can easily take a corner at high speeds, if I choose. I see that yours was aluminum. I wonder if that's what the difference is.

What works for me is to lean away from the bike. If I'm turning right, I lean left (and it's not a subtle lean at all whatsoever). Someone taught me this technique for taking corners on steep hills so you can maintain speed without losing the bike under you. So far, so good.

[Veronica]

I

What works for me is to lean away from the bike. If I'm turning right, I lean left (and it's not a subtle lean at all whatsoever). Someone taught me this technique for taking corners on steep hills so you can maintain speed without losing the bike under you. So far, so good.

I lean with the bike.



25 mph though a 90 degree corner.

Veronica

[Velocivixen]

I spoke to a Category 1 bike racer and we discussed cornering. As I newby I mentioned that I knew enough to keep the pedal in the "up" position on the same side as I was turning toward, so I wouldn't clip my pedal on the ground. He asked if I knew the more significant reason for that, and I said "No". He said that while the inside pedal is up, the outside pedal is down and the leg is straight. That straight leg is not relaxed, but the rider should put active, downward pressure on that leg to cause the wheels/tires to have grippier contact with the road so the bike does't slip out from beneath the rider going around sharp curves. He also mentioned keeping the body slightly more level and upright while the bike leans in the direction of the turn.

[maillotpois]

Veronica's picture is a demonstration of exactly what Velocivixen's post refers to. She is driving her weight through the outside leg, leaning into the corner, completely stable.

[westtexas]

I spoke to a Category 1 bike racer and we discussed cornering. As I newby I mentioned that I knew enough to keep the pedal in the "up" position on the same side as I was turning toward, so I wouldn't clip my pedal on the ground. He asked if I knew the more significant reason for that, and I said "No". He said that while the inside pedal is up, the outside pedal is down and the leg is straight. That straight leg is not relaxed, but the rider should put active, downward pressure on that leg to cause the wheels/tires to have grippier contact with the road so the bike does't slip out from beneath the rider going around sharp curves. He also mentioned keeping the body slightly more level and upright while the bike leans in the direction of the turn.

Ok, so then this is what I do. I say lean left when turning right, but really, my body is upright. I also have the turning side leg in the up position. I thought about this alot on my ride this morning, and I actually looked at my speed around corners for the first time. I can easily do 20mph around a corner without feeling any slip.

[Cynedra]

Bethany - There is no doubt in my mind that the motorcycle accident probably has a bit to do with it. Mostly though, it is getting used to that bike. I'm still wishing I could average 17 mph on the straight a ways. Go the speed you feel comfortable with, it it will get better.

[ny biker]

Old, worn tires make it harder to corner, too.

I've never felt that a bike helmet affected my ability to see.

[OakLeaf]

+1, if your helmet is restricting your vision there's something not right.

Also, on public roads, please don't tempt fate. It's fun to rail through corners and use the whole "racetrack," but it's not a racetrack. Any close is too close. We like you here...


(And I'm pretty sure that the rule is an uncontrolled intersection is automatically a four-way stop... Just because you don't have a stop sign, if cross traffic doesn't either, you're better off at least slowing until you're 100% sure there's no one coming.)

[pll]

But, my Synapse is all carbon with very upgraded wheels.

Ok, I'm officially curious. My wheels are the stock wheels and I'm thinking of gifting myself an upgrade in the coming spring. What did you upgrade to?

[westtexas]

Ok, I'm officially curious. My wheels are the stock wheels and I'm thinking of gifting myself an upgrade in the coming spring. What did you upgrade to?

Well, I built the bike from scratch. I don't know what the stock wheels are, but most stock bikes come with pretty low end wheels (unless you're in the high end market I guess). I put Mavic Ksyrium Elites on my bike - it was a compromise from the Zipps the shop kept trying to sell me - and they are worth every penny.

[Velocivixen]

@Bethany1, you poor thing. Yes, as you have found improper tire pressure affects ride and performance. Tubes can lose about 3 psi per day! That's typical. I rode today and adjusted the tire pressure prior to the ride. If I ride tomorrow I will check them again! I guarantee that I will need to "top them off" with air. I check my tires prior to every ride.

[pll]

Well, I built the bike from scratch. I don't know what the stock wheels are, but most stock bikes come with pretty low end wheels (unless you're in the high end market I guess). I put Mavic Ksyrium Elites on my bike - it was a compromise from the Zipps the shop kept trying to sell me - and they are worth every penny.

Mine came with DT Swiss R-1700 wheels. Relative to what I had before, almost anything was an upgrade. I have been looking at the Ksyriums -- the folks at my bike shop like them. Hmm. More tempting than ever! I have to set a tough goal for the winter months, so that the wheelset will be my spring reward. <or should I get a pearl necklace instead?>

[Bethany1]

I'm always paranoid about the street intersections and take them carefully. I live in a quiet neighborhood where you only see cars about 5% of the time. It's that 5% that you have to watch out for as you don't know which street you'll see them.

I was taking the corners better than I ever have, but still wanted to be safe and see the cars. I just completely misjudged the cornering on that one. I wasn't going fast, just turned too wide. Left turns scare me because of the added vigilance needed to watch for cars.

My son fell over laughing when I asked him about my tires today and told him I hadn't checked the pressure since I purchased the bike except for the time I had a flat tire outside of town. I had no idea that the tires would lose air over time. That made him laugh even harder.

[Velocivixen]

Ohh...I would like to see that chart too. My tires are 700x32 and max inflation is 95 psi. It doesn't give a range, so at 138 or so I like my tires at 80 psi. I think either Rivendell bike site has tire pressure range on it. I'll check & post it.

[Velocivixen]

Here it is: http://www.rivbike.com/assets/full/0...ick_a_tire.pdf

Hope it's helpful.