My Squirrelly Gary Fisher Bike

[5-7HEAVEN]

My friend Hawaii Ed gave me a 1998 bike. It has 21-speeds, cantilever brakes and a 15.5" frame, which is PERFECT for my short legs. I really like to have my feet close to the ground, especially if I motorize it.

This bike weighs 28.5lbs. "The Dragon Lady" weighed 45lbs before it ballooned up to 91lbs with twin engines.

The bike was rusty and hadn't been ridden for awhile. The tires are pumped to 40psi and holding air. After a LOT of chain lube sprayed on every moving part I've ridden it on grass and sidewalks.

I REALLY like this bike! Thanks Ed!

The handlebar is the straight bar type. The only thing I don't like is how squirrelly and twitchy it seems to handle. Not at all like the slow handling, laid back feeling of my cruiser bikes. If I can't get this bike to handle the way I like, I'll keep it at work for pedalling to McD's and Burger King for lunch.

What can be done to slow down the steering? Cruiser-type handlebars maybe?

 

[Kiwi]

Wider handle bars and a longer stem will slow the steering down.
Those cruiser bars are pretty sketchy at slow speeds tho.
If you go by a local bike shop see if they can lend you different stems to try out ( we let people exchange theirs if they don't like them at my shop).

 

[5-7HEAVEN]

The Final Chapter

I guess all it took was getting used to the Gary Fisher's unique handling.

I decided to leave the bike safely chained at work. That way I can use it to ride two to four blocks to eating places on a regular basis.

I'm also using this bike for daily exercise during my lunch hour. On Wednesday I rode eight miles, which was a bit much. Maybe six miles next time.

The 11-year-old front tire sidewall finally "moused" when I jumped a small curb. Luckily I just bought a 2005 Giant Rincon bike today. I'll use this bike's original tires for the Gary Fisher, then build high-performance wheels for the Giant.