Have you tried another bike just to rule out a mechanical problem?

Riding another bike does nothing to rule out a mechanical issue, unless the
other bike were in every way identical. Even then, the psychological
component of shimmy... just knowing that there *might* be something wrong
with your old bike that isn't with the new one... that alone might create
the confidence or lack of being tense that could have caused the issue on
the first bike.

It's not often as simple a problem as it appears.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com


"Zimmy" wrote in message
...
Have you tried another bike just to rule out a mechanical problem?
The only time it ever happened to me was when my headset was loose (even
though the locknut was tight) so make sure it is adjusted correctly.
Scared the sh*t out of me too.
Make sure the front wheel is evenly mounted too.

Apologies if this is all obvious to you,
Z



"Michie" wrote in message
oups.com...

A few weeks ago, I experienced, for the first time, that I am getting
front wheel wobbling on descents. It was on a steep hill that I have
been down time after time, but this day I was scared half to death
that I was going to lose control of the bike and eat the pavement.
I look my bicycle over, but I can't see any mechanical problems that
might cause that to happen. I seem to be tensing up on descents when
I didn't used to have that problem. Since those few weeks ago, I am
still experiencing the same effect and it is very scary. The people
behind me immediately try to pass me for fear they may end up going
down if I go down.
It's become very annoying. It feels more psychological than anything
else.
I have lost a bit of weight lately from all the riding I have been
doing, so I am flying up hills with relative ease where I used to get
dropped before, but now I am losing a grip on descents when I used to
fly down hills ahead of everyone else, even when I wasn't aero,
because my weight giving me advantage. However, now that I am losing
the weight, I seem to be shimmying like crazy.
It's become like a roller coaster feeling.
One rider, who is a fellow team mate, and is a cat 3 racer, told me to
try pulling my knees in using my them to pull up under the top tube
and sit back farther on the seat and get more aero, but I still feel
like I am shimmying, and he noticed that I was to, even going down a
hill at a mere 25 mph.
Finally, I tried turning the biggest gear on the bike while going down
hill, or at least spin the pedals even if it wasn't giving me
momentum, and it seemed to help. I felt more stable, like my center
of gravity was under better control.

Does anyone have any advice to help me conquer this newly chronic
problem?