[pacman]

New post, even Tim didn't notice this in the other thread.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showpost.php?p=2051197&postcount=47

 

[Quasi]

I'll bet that helped alot. I remember when I hit a tree with my right hand a little while ago. I pinched my finger btw the handlebar and the tree. Yow, that hurt and I instinctively ripped my right hand off the bar. Of course that wasn't the smartest thing to do in a rough section. My left hand immediately over steered to the left and I went straight off the trail. LOL No injuries, but lesson learned. That steering dampener sounds great, I will look into it.

 

[20.100 FR]

New post, even Tim didn't notice this in the other thread.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showpost.php?p=2051197&postcount=47

I did.
How does it works in tight singletrack, and switchbacks ?

 

[one1spede]

I'm curious too. I had read some threads about this and looked into purchasing one, but I can't figure out how they actually effect your steering. It seems it may just help recenter your bars/stem/front wheel, but how does it effect turning? Any thoughts would be appreciated, still trying to understand this. Thx!

 

[pacman]

I'm curious too. I had read some threads about this and looked into purchasing one, but I can't figure out how they actually effect your steering. It seems it may just help recenter your bars/stem/front wheel, but how does it effect turning? Any thoughts would be appreciated, still trying to understand this. Thx!

Its primary use is as a shock to damp sudden turns of the bar either from the ground/obstacles or the rider. The quicker the turn the bigger the resistance. The design is such that it always takes zero force to re-center the bar.

I use it in two areas, when speeding so sudden inputs (deflection from a rock) don't cause a crash and on long climbs to reduce energy-wasting wiggles, your arms don't have to provide all the resistance to keep the front going straight.
Anyplace where the going is slow and turning is quick (typical singletrack) I turn it off. By design the shock releases at 25 degrees so you can continue with a sharp turn, but I haven't adjusted my reflexes.

 

[Quasi]

I'm curious too. I had read some threads about this and looked into purchasing one, but I can't figure out how they actually effect your steering. It seems it may just help recenter your bars/stem/front wheel, but how does it effect turning? Any thoughts would be appreciated, still trying to understand this. Thx!

I would figure it varies the resistance when you steer, so that the further your handlebars are from straight, the less resistance there is. When the handlebars are straight ahead, there will be the greatest resistance to turning. There is something similar with computer joysticks: you can set an acceleration curve. So you don't have a linear acceleration curve, the further the joystick is from center the more effect your movement has. This enables you to have more authority the further your joystick is from the center. I have a big problem controlling my front wheel when I am biking, especially when I am tired. This should be a very useful gizmo.

 

[one1spede]

Thanks to both of you. I was guessing it was something along those lines. Sounds like a real winner for more techy riding. We have some rooty trails around here, so could be helpful. Think I'll look into it once again.