Front wheel turning 90 degrees?

[parkeh]

Hello. I have just bought an entry level road bike, and at this stage I am learning to ride it (have never ridden a road bike; nor any other bike in a long time). But the front wheel keeps swinging to 90 degrees when not moving. It has a life of its own.

It is also making me worried to turn when I am on the bike because it swings to such an angle. (Unless the steering is so delicate). So I can’t really turn in case of being thrown off. When I’m riding straight however the wheel stays straight.

It’s a brand new bike. Should the wheel be able to turn 90? And if not, do I need to tighten the front of the bike somehow? It also means if I try to walk and push it along with the seat it’s impossible of course because the wheel swings round.

Any advice welcome. Apologies if a stupid question.

 

[vickster]

Take it back to the shop you bought it from and get them to check it over.
However, I had a bike that did that, annoying when parking but perfectly rideable

 

[Grant Fondo]

Not a problem, mine nearly does.

 

[All uphill]

Hi and welcome.

Could you post a side view of the bike?

That would help show if the bike has been assembled correctly.

As @vickster says if you are doubtful dont hesitate to go back to the place you bought it.

 

[mjr]

Even my Dutch bike can turn its wheel ninety degrees or more. Worry if it does it without the handlebar turning!

 

[Mo1959]

I thought all bikes did! Lol. I’m sure mine all do.

 

[Chromatic]

LemonJuice again?

 

[Milkfloat]

It is probably just the cables pushing it to the side. My question is why does it matter, when you are riding you won’t even notice it.

 

[dodgy]

But the front wheel keeps swinging to 90 degrees when not moving. It has a life of its own.

If it does this when your hands are on the bars, then it's time to worry.
I suspect this isn't happening.

 

[rogerzilla]

View: https://youtu.be/Bz-d2v049mA

 

[rualexander]

Wheel flop.
Most bikes do it to some extent but some more than others.
It's related to the bike's geometry.
Smaller framed bikes can be quite prone to it.

 

[Darius_Jedburgh]

Mine does it when on the workstand. Sometimes to the left. Sometimes to the right. Sometimes not at all.
There are more important things to worry about.

 

[boydj]

It's a perfectly normal thing for the stationary wheel to fall to one side or another when unsupported. Once the wheel is turning, the laws of physics dictate that it moves in a straight line unless a turning force is applied.

 

[fossyant]

Normal.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

It's related to the bike's geometry.
Smaller framed bikes can be quite prone to it.

This!

Some of the racier road bikes are prone to it too. Longer wheelbases and raked forks / relaxed head tube tend to make the steerer more benign. It's also why you can ride no-handed on some bikes and yet find it harder to do on others. Ditto with pushing the bike along by the saddle and walking alongside, some bikes behave, others want to wander.

It all matters naught when you're riding.