Front forks offset too small in my opinion

[Pete73]

I bought an e bike a year ago and I've done a few bits and pieces to make it the bike I want - that's all good.
What I cannot get is the front forks offset is 44 mm (1 3/4") and I find the bars have to be held on to in order to keep a good track on the road. One hand on the bars is tolerable with a bit of a wobble but it's nothing like the level of stability that I was used to years ago when my bike (27x1 1/4 wheels 71 degree head tube) had a 2 1/2" offset. I could sit up and ride on a reasonably smooth surface with no hands on the bars for considerable distances. One hand on the bars for signalling was no problem. My current bike has the same head angle of 71 degrees. Granted the wheels are 29" and possibly 2 3/8" might suffice.
Where can I find or have made a set of forks with that longer offset?

 

[keithj69]

What ebike?

 

[Pete73]

It's a 2020 Vitus MACH E. French manufacturer. Variously tagged as an Urban bike and a Hybrid, but I mostly use it for rural lane riding along with some off road miles. Shimano E6100 mid drive. Hard tail and carbon fork (no suspension). I'm working on replacing the back wheel with one equipped with a Kindernay VII hub gear. By and large I'm happy with it except for the very light steering. Why must we have performance and racing standards foisted upon us by manufacturers who don't really understand the idea of cycle touring...
Just my $.02

 

[Halfast]

I have the same complaint. Having ridden relatively slow-steering motorcycles for decades, you just need a little more steering effort to make the turn.
If feasible, consider a smaller diameter rear wheel when you do the swap. This would increase the fork angle for additional directional stability.

 

[indianajo]

Quick steering (low or no caster) became all the rage about 1990. The magazine reviewers ate it up. Police departments loved it. No weak forearms in a policeman.
I had the front forks snap sideways and throw me on my chin 5 times 2008- to 2018. Diamondback MTB twice, Pacific Quantum MTB twice, Huffy Savannah cruiser once. I checked database of 220 26" frames 2017, all had exactly the same trail (caster) Some had increased fork angle, but that does nothing for centering force. I called 2 custom frame builders and asked them 2017 to build me a frame with the same caster as my Mother's 1946 Firestone safety bike. Same wheels and tires as a modern MTB. Both refused to "redesign" the fork. "Standard" fork or ride a motorcycle. I value my hearing too much to do that. Stupid ***-**** standard.
I've found some stability in a stretch frame cargo bike (shown left) that puts my weight on the front tire. Same stupid trail angle, but it least it hasn't thrown me on my chin 2018-2023.
I bought a Trek 4300 MTB at my brother's house last week to do some shopping without begging rides from him. So ****ing unstable it won't even stand against a wall without the front wheel snapping sideways which makes it fall over. At least I found how to order a bike helmet with a chin guard. "Downhill Mountain Bike Racing Helmet" is the search term. I looked for one before the fall 2008 that broke my chin. All bing & google could find me was motorcycle helmets, most with a full face plate. Yeah, sweat streaming down my face, that makes for a safe ride. I ride a Fox Rampage helmet at home, and just bought a Bell Super 3R Mips helmet for the brother's house.

 

[PedalUma]

I have been ridding a bike with a lax geo for a couple of months and love it. The fork kicks way out and it has extra long chain stays for a lux wheelbase. The distance from the crown to the bar is 41cm or 16 inches (that is also the length of the fork) and the offset from the middle of the bar to the center of the hub is 21cm or 8.25 inches. It is also a mid-step with 2.35,160x584, tires. After ridding it for a while I jumped on my road bike and said, nope, this hunched over, twitchy, harsh ride sucks. Back to the limo for me.