Hey, I know I've where read people mentioned experiencing this phenomenon before, but I really can't figure out exactly how slapping on a new front tire transforms the handling so drastically. However, I am pleased as punch that it did. This is just by replacing the old worn out Pirelli Diablo Strada with an new copy of the same. Yes, the old one was completey shot, having given his all for me(I got over 8k miles).
On the old tire I had to keep a steady push on the bars while negotiating any turn, especially noticeable in long sweepers. With the new tire everything feels more balanced. After initiating a turn almost no bar input is required to keep the bike tracking on line. I'm sure this is a case of the effect having appeared so gradually that you don't notice it day by day. But then you put on the new sneaker and Voila!
The old tire, though worn, did not have a severe "V" shape, though there is a small amount of ridge on each side between the flat center and the sides. I'm guessing that this ridge is the culprit to the bad handling, but I can't visualize how this causes the bike to want to stand up and fly straight, thereby requiring the continual bar input.
As an aside, I found that by balancing the bare wheel first, experimentally finding the real "heavy spot" (per this website), then aligning the tire's dot marks to the wheel's heavy spot, I did not (technically) need any wheel weights. That is to say, the lightest spot was off by less than a 1/4 oz wheel weight. Of course, being the anal retentive with too much time on my hands, I went ahead and balanced the wheel to a gnat's ass, finally requiring only a cutoff piece of weight amounting to less than 1/8 oz (about 3 grams). I'm sure if that piece falls off I would not be able to feel it.
On the old tire I had to keep a steady push on the bars while negotiating any turn, especially noticeable in long sweepers. With the new tire everything feels more balanced. After initiating a turn almost no bar input is required to keep the bike tracking on line. I'm sure this is a case of the effect having appeared so gradually that you don't notice it day by day. But then you put on the new sneaker and Voila!
The old tire, though worn, did not have a severe "V" shape, though there is a small amount of ridge on each side between the flat center and the sides. I'm guessing that this ridge is the culprit to the bad handling, but I can't visualize how this causes the bike to want to stand up and fly straight, thereby requiring the continual bar input.
As an aside, I found that by balancing the bare wheel first, experimentally finding the real "heavy spot" (per this website), then aligning the tire's dot marks to the wheel's heavy spot, I did not (technically) need any wheel weights. That is to say, the lightest spot was off by less than a 1/4 oz wheel weight. Of course, being the anal retentive with too much time on my hands, I went ahead and balanced the wheel to a gnat's ass, finally requiring only a cutoff piece of weight amounting to less than 1/8 oz (about 3 grams). I'm sure if that piece falls off I would not be able to feel it.
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