Recent content by Jabotical

Yeah, sorry about that. Part of my problem is that it's been hard to characterize even to myself precisely what's going on, other than that the ride feels unstable, and the rear wheel seems to slip to the side sometimes as part of that instability. Perhaps I'm wrong to focus on the slippage...

I can try taking off the rear rack to see if it makes any difference (I usually keep a few pounds worth of tools and things in there). My impression is that it won't, but it would be another data point. I responded to your earlier comment to say that the instability isn't limited to cornering...

Oh!! That's brilliant! I will definitely try that! I would love to find conclusive evidence to back up my sensation of horrible instability, to confirm it's not in my head (I'm pretty sure it's not) and justify a replacement (that I'm pretty sure I need).

I'd considered that, but I hadn't changed anything at all other than wrecking and subsequently replacing the front wheel and fork. I did have to bend my cargo rack back a little, but it seems about where it should be. The battery is center mounted.

Yes, sorry the description is a little vague. It's because I've been having a hard time characterizing what's going on. The back tire is nearly new with no signs of being worn out, and this "slippery" effect happens even when not cornering, even on good road surfaces sometimes. Though it is...

Yeah, that's kind of what I figured. I wouldn't even have considered it except I really like how I have it rigged up, and hoped to avoid the hassle of transferring everything. I'll say! It seemed to work wonderfully for my purposes, and I could hardly have been more pleased. Until I smashed it...

Yeah I really, really enjoyed riding mine until I crashed it hard. It was really a great bike. If only I hadn't gotten careless, that fateful day... Admittedly, I tended to ride it more in the 20-30 mph range (hence the severity of damage when I wrecked).

Interesting. I hadn't heard that perspective before. The Trek 820 is supposed to be made from cro-mo steel, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's subpar in some ways. I will keep your advice about aluminum frames in mind -- I can certainly attest first hand that having a steel frame doesn't make...

Ooookay, that would make a lot of sense. I'll definitely do as you suggest. The feeling of slipping/instability often happens even when I'm not turning hard or even much at all, but it might be a back crack. If I do discover a crack, does it make the most sense to buck up and get a new frame...

It didn't look like a bent rim, and I did feel for loose spokes, but I'll check again. Thanks for the tips on where specifically to check the frame! I'll definitely do that. I certainly thought about taking it to a bike shop. I like the one fine that sourced the fork for me and put a star nut...

So a few months back I wrecked my steel-frame bike (based around a Trek 820) pretty hard. 1) I replaced the tacoed front wheel, but the bike felt like it rode kind of unstably afterward. I tried to convince myself it was in my head, but after several close calls the rear tire (with the DD hub...

Yeah, I had 2.4 inch tires on a regular (ie internally 17 mm) rim, and they worked surprisingly well. I've just gathered that it's even better to have them on a wider rim if possible (more surface area for steering, maybe less rolling resistance, etc.), so I wanted to give that a shot. It makes...

I do appreciate your expert discretion (: Yes, I've never had a steel rim, but I gather they're less than ideal in that department!

Sounds like sound advice. Fair enough. I guess I normally have a DIY mentality because I like learning/doing things and also because of the significant cost savings in many cases (and this is of course often only possible because of generous people on the internet). On the other hand, there is...

I kinda figured that, but it makes me feel less wasteful to have you come out so vehemently against the prospect. Thanks. Sounds like a valuable suggestion. And you're right, since I'm getting a new wheel anyway it may as well be disc brake compatible. The rim brakes so far have seemed to be...