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"Lean lock" on TT bikes
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There is a thing in slalom waterskiing we call lean lock. That means you are locked into a path, can't get the hell off it and are headed for a super-sonic train wreck.

My TT bike, re-purposed for commuting has the same tendency, especially at speed. It's very difficult to alter a line once committed for a corner. My pure road bike doesn't do this.

Is it the fork angle - how close the fork or front wheel axle is to the steering axis that does this?

Do bikes like the P5 with that wheel tucked in compromise handling?

The reason I ask is my GURU CR901 looks like a chopper in comparison, I should have it on the road soon, but curious about the differences.

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Re: "Lean lock" on TT bikes [SharkFM] [ In reply to ]
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Sounds like you have your headset too tight or the bearings are bad. Or maybe both.
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Re: "Lean lock" on TT bikes [SharkFM] [ In reply to ]
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Are you saying the bars/wheel are actually hard to turn, or are you talking about handling?

Definitely you're going to see reduced handling in a TT bike. They aren't made for turning. Just going straight ahead, and flat, for the most part. It's about fork angle and seat tube angle, how far you are out over your front wheel, IMO. I've always felt the same way. Inflexible, uncomfortable, and the handling of a dump truck. But faster. :)
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Re: "Lean lock" on TT bikes [James Haycraft] [ In reply to ]
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James Haycraft wrote:
Sounds like you have your headset too tight or the bearings are bad. Or maybe both.

Agreed. Well designed TT bikes corner great.


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Re: "Lean lock" on TT bikes [DarkSpeedWorks] [ In reply to ]
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Great compared to bad TT bikes, but I wouldn't say great compared to a road bike.


Dtyrrell
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Re: "Lean lock" on TT bikes [SharkFM] [ In reply to ]
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Often a high profile front wheel makes turning a bit more sluggish. Try a low profile wheel and see if it's any different.

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Re: "Lean lock" on TT bikes [brotherbock] [ In reply to ]
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A Trek TTX 9.9 converted to a road bike is the best crit.bike that I have ever ridden.
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Re: "Lean lock" on TT bikes [SharkFM] [ In reply to ]
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Look up "wheel flop". With a shallow head angle the bike can fall into the turn as you lean it The impact is usually minor but you can notice it on some bikes.
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Re: "Lean lock" on TT bikes [slindell] [ In reply to ]
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Sounds like that's it (wheel flop).

This bike has always been a bit of a handful- a Devinci TT 2009 ish. It's not stable, takes time to dial in. I thought I would get used to it.

I try to "dive" into corners and it's like frig I almost ran out of road. If I keep pressure, push the inside handle bar, I seem to be able to turn harder but it's sketchy at best. I am also not sure where the tires are for grip ie no feel of the road.

The Argons I have handle much better....anything handles better for that matter.

But I have noticed on video for TT bike crashes - even pros going into the haystacks, this lean lock sort of phenomena.

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Re: "Lean lock" on TT bikes [SharkFM] [ In reply to ]
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"Lean lock " or target fixation ?
Last edited by: talking head: Jan 20, 15 6:03
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Re: "Lean lock" on TT bikes [SharkFM] [ In reply to ]
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the lean can't actually lock.
you can turn the wheel any time you want.

you can go too fast into a corner and not have any options though...on any bike.



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Re: "Lean lock" on TT bikes [SharkFM] [ In reply to ]
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As stated...it really depends. If there is room, there are headsets you can use to modify your fork angle though. If the bike was designed around a longer wheelbase and a shallower head-tube angle, it's not going to be as agile, but you'll have greater stability in a straight line and you'll hold a straight line better, but I don't think that there's anything remotely as sever as what you're stating. I imagine it's possible if you are leaning with your bike it gets hard to get it going in the other direction, but if you're handling the bike correctly, you'll lean the bike, but your body's center of mass should stay as close to the location your tires contact the road as possible (kinda lean the bike, but don't lean the body).
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Re: "Lean lock" on TT bikes [jackmott] [ In reply to ]
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You can actually lock into a lean - the centripetal force "standing" up the rider is equal to the force you are able to impart to turn the bike (break the gyros by leaning in) - effectively locking your line.

However technique changes - now that I know this it can be prevented. So keep the shoulders upright, drop the lower body/bike and push the inside handle bar to "break" the bike,bob's your uncle.

After doing the research on wheel flop I can confirm that this bike is too "propped up". The front wheel angle is too steep - only by about 1/2" at the front axle.

Solution - new fork would do it.

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