Slanting-roads

[Pretzal]

Hello all.

I'm a newcomer here! I've just been cycling over a year and am planning my first 2 day trip on my second-hand £110 Raleigh X1 Hybrid! Might be a bit of a challenge, but that's the fun.

Something I've noticed recently. I seem to really struggle when the road slants, either for drainage (like when the cycle lane is in a gutter, basically), or because I'm cycling on a road that wraps around the hill. I can go for miles feeling like I'm straining leaning right (or into the direction of the upward slant) to stay balanced, and if I sit normally and comfortably, I just slowly veer into the curb. This is particularly stressful on fast roads where I want to pick up speed, but can't be veering up the slant suddenly and into traffic coming behind me. After a while, I get enormous pain in my arm and shoulder, and discomfort just from the feeling of leaning for so long.

I can't figure out what to do to improve this. Does everyone get this and it's just 'tough'? Or am I really getting something wrong here? Am I overcompensating and is there something I could do to make my life easier, etc?

If anyone has any advice, I'd be super grateful. It can really temper my enjoyment of a ride when I feel like I'm spending all my time trying not to topple into the gutter.

Thanks all!

S x

 

[I like Skol]

Couple of things to check. Not saying these are the answer, or even a possible cause, but definitely worth ruling them out.

Are the handlebars straight and at right angles to the front wheel?

Is the frame/forks straight?

Are the wheels sat in the dropouts correctly, especially the rear wheel if the rear dropouts are horizontal?

Actually, forget all that, just realised the most likely problem while typing the above. Headset is either stiff or pitted which is forcing the steering to try and run dead true when it actually needs a slight turn to compensate for the camber. Pick up the front of the bike and turn the handlebars. Feel for any stiffness or notchiness. Might need a new headset if this is the case.

 

[Pretzal]

Hi Skol,

Thanks for this. I've had a quick glance and all seems well. I only bought it a few months ago but have ridden the cr*p out of it since then and will definitely get it serviced and tinkered with before I head out on my 2Xday. I'll ask the bike shop about this too.

Half the time I'm convinced it's like a....psychosomatic thing about being pressed up against the curb by a slope and I'm overcompensating, but then when I really try to push myself to sit comfortably, I have to quickly correct to keep straight.

It did also occur to me that yesterday I was cycling in quite strong East-West wind which would also have been nudging me to the left, but I wish I could find a better way to cycle in those conditions without putting such strain on one side of my body.

 

[PaulSB]

In all my years of cycling I have never seen or heard anyone mention a road with a camber (slant) steep enough to have this effect. I would be surprised if roads are permitted to be built like this.

I have to suggest this is either a mechanical issue with your bike or something which has become so strongly fixed in your mind that it has become "real" for you.

 

[raleighnut]

In all my years of cycling I have never seen or heard anyone mention a road with a camber (slant) steep enough to have this effect. I would be surprised if roads are permitted to be built like this.

I have to suggest this is either a mechanical issue with your bike or something which has become so strongly fixed in your mind that it has become "real" for you.

I don't even get this on the Trike.

 

[pawl]

Could the frame be out alignment .Just a thought as theOP keeps having to correct to keep the bike in straight line

 

[I like Skol]

Got to be the headset, almost certain of it. Bearings are likely brinneled and have been regreased to try and make them last a bit longer.
Some information in this article later on in the troubleshooting section - www.sheldonbrown.com/headsets.html

 

[winjim]

Yes, I get the feeling you mention, especially when I'm tired and have been riding hard for a while. It can feel like there's a camber even when the road is dead flat. I assume it's a psychological / fatigue thing, plus the asymmetry of the road, riding on the left, passing traffic, worry of sliding on the white lines all contribute.

 

[Ian H]

I suspect it might be a by-product of riding too close to the kerb. 1 to 1.5m out is roughly where you should be. It does take practice to build up confidence to do that.

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

A bike with normal geometry and in good mechanical condition without any accident damage should go exactly where you want it to with very little active steering other than negotiating tight turns. Most of the steering is done by subtle changes of balance and you do this subconsciously without thinking about it.

 

[fossyant]

Might be 'in your head' - keep well away from the gutter

 

[Sharky]

I don't even get this on the Trike.

I did when I first started riding my tandem trike, but now I've learned how to steer, but it can be a strain to keep it straight. However on a two wheeler, never had such a problem, except for one cold morning and there was black ice on the corner. Front wheel just went and I went down.

 

[roley poley]

do you have a section of QUIET road in your area where you could ride on the right for a while to compare the change in camber on this effect?? stay safe...or the right side of a one way street perhaps?

 

[Paulus]

Could it be the phenomenon of drifting the way you are looking, there is a proper name for it. If you , when riding , look to the left or right, you can automatically drift that way. So if the O.P is looking at the kerb all the time, they could be subconsciously riding towards it?

 

[CXRAndy]

Try riding on a mtb up and down a hillside. That will give you a good indication of slant. Roads have a tiny imperceptible slope. Try looking much further forward most of the time, whilst using peripheral vision to keep an eye out for road imperfections.