Steering flop/twitchiness (Nukeproof content)

I’ve just got back from trying some of the Valleys techie trails on my Nukeproof Reactor, the first time I’ve been up there on this bike.  At some points, going over lips or bumps, the steering got really twitchy as the back of the wheel seemed to be able to pull the bars really easily – similar to steering flop. It took a bite out of my confidence which is something you need plenty of around there.

Does anyone else get this?

I’ve got 780mm bars and a 45mm stem. I’m on the boundary between M and L, the bike is an L.  I stopped at the top of the third descent and put the flip-chip in the slacker ‘rail’ setting, which might’ve helped a bit, but for singletrack riding I prefer it in the steeper ‘trail’ setting which is a bit odd since I bought it to replace my slack bike.

I am wondering if an angle-adjust headset would lessen this effect?  Since putting it in ‘trail’ mode I had thought I’d made the right choice when buying the bike, but today I wish I’d gone for the Mega.

the reactor is the short travel trail bike right? For some of the valley stuff I’m glad ive got a 160/170 setup to make up for my own lack of skill

150mm, don’t think that qualifies as short these days. It has fairly steep angles though which is a lot more important than the amount of travel I reckon. On yesterday’s trails I would have run out of grip and braking before needing more travel.

I’ve not ridden the Reactor but I’ve just dropped the forks from 170 to 160 on my Edit due to excessive ‘floppiness’. It now turns in more confidently and climbs properly.

Who knew that Airdrop knew what they were doing.

The bike felt great at bike parks in faster stuff but it’s never felt on confidence inspiring on slower/steeper trails which is my usual thing.

So is it the .5 degree or ever so slightly lower BB? Presumably the combination.

For the moment I’ve left the back at 168mm but might buy a spacer to try the back with less travel too

Edit, misread op

You could try a different stem length. It’s difficult to say for certain from the description you’ve given.

Also what’s your position on the bike like, slacker bikes need more pressure on the bars from the hinge position? If you’re not elbows out it can make the front feel vague.