I'm not arguing that fact i just think we should practice what we preach. @kingrollo sorry for bringing your thread down, maybe i am just a grumpy old barsteward coz i cant do it either
Admission:- I can't ride no hands !
- Thread starter kingrollo
- Start date
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I'm not saying he did, it was merely an observation
Jody
Stubborn git
Get up to speed, sit as up right as possible and then let go for 5 seconds, then increase the length of time. Your bike is stable at speed. Its more of a psychological thing. Iv'e never really thought about it as I have done it from such a young age.
The bike you do it on also has some bearing. My MTB is much more stable no hands even on bumpy rutted tracks/trails than the road bike is on tarmac.
The bike you do it on also has some bearing. My MTB is much more stable no hands even on bumpy rutted tracks/trails than the road bike is on tarmac.
Andy in Germany
Guru
- Location
- Freiburg im Breisgau
I remember once being lectured about not wearing a helmet by someone riding with no hands. Halfway through -having ensured the road was traffic and pedestrian free) I shouted "LOOK OUT, STOP!" and slammed the brakes on...
It stopped the lecture.
I never learned to ride with no hands either, on the basis I'm quite capable of falling off on a clear road with both hands on the handlebars. I could ask my kids, except that'd be the most embarrassingly naff dad thing I could think of to do...
It stopped the lecture.
I never learned to ride with no hands either, on the basis I'm quite capable of falling off on a clear road with both hands on the handlebars. I could ask my kids, except that'd be the most embarrassingly naff dad thing I could think of to do...
Andy in Germany
Guru
- Location
- Freiburg im Breisgau
Probably. I know my Bakfiets will keep going in the same direction when I take my hands off the handlebars and will not change unless it encounters a solid object or is hit by a meteor
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Profpointy
Legendary Member
Profpointy
Legendary Member
Not tried that yet but I'm not too optimistic !
Randomnerd
Bimbleur
- Location
- North Yorkshire
I've a heavy Dutch bike I could get completely naked on, jump off doing back-flips down the towpath and vault back on and it would still be going in a straight line (anyone want the Youtube link? Thought not....)
I've a road bike I have to use both arms and pray to keep upright.
Wouldn't dare do it on the good bike, for fear of having to lie to the insurance company.
Used to do it all the time down our street as a lad on the Raleigh Chico, until my father came out of the house and tore me a strip off (there we go again!) in front of my mates. Now every time I think about going hands-free, i remember the old goat shouting, and keep a grip.
I too still dream of being able to slip on a jacket at 20mph, or re-comb a stray lock after a hairy descent.
I've a road bike I have to use both arms and pray to keep upright.
Wouldn't dare do it on the good bike, for fear of having to lie to the insurance company.
Used to do it all the time down our street as a lad on the Raleigh Chico, until my father came out of the house and tore me a strip off (there we go again!) in front of my mates. Now every time I think about going hands-free, i remember the old goat shouting, and keep a grip.
I too still dream of being able to slip on a jacket at 20mph, or re-comb a stray lock after a hairy descent.
GuyBoden
Guru
- Location
- Warrington
nickyboy
Norven Mankey
- Location
- You want hills? We got hills
My gut feeling is that's a recipe for disaster unless you're on a real "sit up and beg" bike. I think you need the rider's centre of gravity as near as possible to the bike's centre of gravity. So that means sitting up as straight in the saddle as possible
I can do it, but it needs confidence to sit bolt upright and keep going at a reasonable speed. As soon as you start leaning forward a bit "in case you wobble"....you wobble
vickster
Legendary Member
Are they doing anyone any harm?
I can’t do it for more than about 2 seconds, but I’m a girly wuss
- Location
- Manchester
It is indeed very satisfying to go over the finish line of a challenging event with your hands in the air!
So...
Practice on a smooth, quiet road or path.
Don't have anything heavy on the handlebars, like lights or bar bag.
It's much easier if you don't have anything else attached to the bike that can affect the balance and steering, like drinks bottles and rear luggage but these can be added once you have mastered the skills.
It's easier to balance if you look ahead rather than what your hands are doing.
As others have said, get a bit of speed up to keep the momentum and it's easier to keep peddling in a high gear so you are doing quite a low steady cadence.
Start with one hand. When you are really confident, riding with one hand, lift the other hand off the bars just a few inches. When you can keep going like this for a while, then gradually try sitting up for longer periods.
Pretend that you are going over the finish line!
So...
Practice on a smooth, quiet road or path.
Don't have anything heavy on the handlebars, like lights or bar bag.
It's much easier if you don't have anything else attached to the bike that can affect the balance and steering, like drinks bottles and rear luggage but these can be added once you have mastered the skills.
It's easier to balance if you look ahead rather than what your hands are doing.
As others have said, get a bit of speed up to keep the momentum and it's easier to keep peddling in a high gear so you are doing quite a low steady cadence.
Start with one hand. When you are really confident, riding with one hand, lift the other hand off the bars just a few inches. When you can keep going like this for a while, then gradually try sitting up for longer periods.
Pretend that you are going over the finish line!
deptfordmarmoset
Full time tea drinker
- Location
- Armonmy Way
Is it a race?
Will you win it?
(Even if you can answer yes to both there may be hazards....
)
Yes, I managed it in the summer after 30 years of "forgetting " how to do it, getting upright quickly with my weight to the rear did the trick, it was just like being a teenager again.
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