Steering dampers?

[Geoff Crowther]

Hi all,
Anyone used one of these thingummies:
http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/hebie-696-steering-damper/aid:254591
or even of these cheapo alternatives?
http://www2.westfalia.net/shops/bic...mfortable/1237445-bicycle_steering_damper.htm
I have an Esge twin legged kickstand on my touring bike. It's very useful not only for parking but also maintenance when touring cos it'll hold one wheel off the ground. Only problem is, once parked, there's nowt to stop the front wheel turning through over 90 degrees. Very irritating and, more than once, the bike's almost fallen over. A steering damper's clearly the answer but I can't seem to get a definitive answer as to how well they work. The Hebie version's a bit pricey, which I don't mind IF it works.
Thoughts?

 

[KneesUp]

Looks like it would work, but also looks like weight and a thing that only does one job. Could you just use a short bungee when you need to, and then you have a spare bungee at other times if you need it?

 

[Ian_w]

Elastic band around valve ,over frame and back around valve.job done

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Looks like it would work, but also looks like weight and a thing that only does one job. Could you just use a short bungee when you need to, and then you have a spare bungee at other times if you need it?

I did try making one using shock cord tied around the top of each fork and a zip tie around the downtube (before I realised they were produced commercially) but the shock cord was nowhere near strong enough and the wheel still turned. Attaching something just to park still leaves you dealing with the same problems
while you try to fit the bungee. Sorry to be negative, but I'd like a more professional solution.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Elastic band around valve ,over frame and back around valve.job done

Yeah ... already have an image of a snapped elastic band whacking me in the chops.

 

[Ian_w]

Ha ha yeah I didn't think about that ,I use an elastic band on my maintenance stand, may just change that now

 

[KneesUp]

A hair bobble is lots of elastic bands in a convenient fabric tube. They don't snap easily and probably have other uses.

Not professional enough though

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Mrs SB's bike has a spring damper, after the first couple of times when you feel the resistance, you pretty much forget it is there. It works but seems adequate at best when the basket is loaded up and you set it on the kickstand. Would I retro fit one, probably not unless it was for specific laden on/off/on/off bike trip & it was quite heavy duty, but I taken hers off? No.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Mrs SB's bike has a spring damper, after the first couple of times when you feel the resistance, you pretty much forget it is there. It works but seems adequate at best when the basket is loaded up and you set it on the kickstand. Would I retro fit one, probably not unless it was for specific laden on/off/on/off bike trip & it was quite heavy duty, but I taken hers off? No.

Ok. Yes, I do use my tourer for ... touring so it is, as you say "on/off/on/off" and well laden.
Cheers

 

[Geoff Crowther]

A hair bobble is lots of elastic bands in a convenient fabric tube. They don't snap easily and probably have other uses.

Not professional enough though

View attachment 47970

Yeah, point taken but I'm lookin' for a permanent solution not something I have to do every time I get off the bike.

 

[Bodhbh]

Ha ha yeah I didn't think about that ,I use an elastic band on my maintenance stand, may just change that now

I think the other thing with laggy bands is they tend to last a week or two then rot and snap. I used to use em to wrap round a brake when parking on a slope, but they were always snapping. Velcro strap in the end....would that work here?

 

[Yellow7]

there's nowt to stop the front wheel turning through over 90 degrees. Very irritating and, more than once, the bike's almost fallen over. A steering damper's clearly the answer but I can't seem to get a definitive answer as to how well they work. T
Thoughts?

On someones blog I once read a wonderfully written sentence about how when parked, his bike would twist and turn, eventually coming to rest where it decided was best, almost like a snake dropping to the floor after being enchanted. In the end all was good as after discovering the steering damper he became a happy chappy... and so will I when I find a bike shop that sells them. So in a nutshell, they work well.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

On someones blog I once read a wonderfully written sentence about how when parked, his bike would twist and turn, eventually coming to rest where it decided was best, almost like a snake dropping to the floor after being enchanted. In the end all was good as after discovering the steering damper he became a happy chappy... and so will I when I find a bike shop that sells them. So in a nutshell, they work well.

Thanks for that Yellow, and see my original post for a supplier.
'Think I might bite the bullet.
Cheers

 

[Yellow7]

Thanks for that Yellow, and see my original post for a supplier.

I'm presently on a prolonged tour Geoff so am looking to find a supplier en-route. I'm sure you'd be happy after purchasing it.

Thanks.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

I'm presently on a prolonged tour Geoff so am looking to find a supplier en-route. I'm sure you'd be happy after purchasing it.

Thanks.

Good luck with that ... and your journey Mark.