Does practising trackstands improve bike-handling skills?

[Smurfy]

Does practising trackstands improve bike-handling skills?

Answer in the poll*, and with comments too if you want to.

*this is a public poll

 

[colly]

Don't know ! I have never managed to get one done for more than about .0005 of a second.

 

[mickle]

Would it be wrong of me to brag that I can track stand a penny farthing?

 

[colly]

Would it be wrong of me to brag that I can track stand a penny farthing?

YES !

 

[mickle]

YES !

Then I shant.

 

[Smurfy]

Don't know ! I have never managed to get one done for more than about .0005 of a second.

I can't find a way to edit the poll to add a 'Don't know' option.

Would it be wrong of me to brag that I can track stand a penny farthing?

Cool! Would love to see a picture of your ordinary. Am feeling quite envious!

 

[TheDoctor]

Dunno. I can do a trackstand, last Wednesday I held the bike upright when both wheels were going sideways on gravel (as I recall, I shouted 'F*********ck!!' and nearly shoot myself) and I didn't come off a few years back when the back wheel locked solid, sending the bike into a 180 at 15 mph as the rear dropout sheared.
Whether any of these feats are related I wouldn't like to say.
Oh, and I can ride most bike no-hands, even if their owners can't.

 

[colly]

Then I shant.

Thank you ! Can't abide show offs.

 

[TheDoctor]

IGMC then.
*slinks away*

 

[mickle]

.... your ordinary....

I don't have one unfortunately. I wish. In fact in the unlikely event I ever win some serious money I'll be straight off to the Czech Republic for a Mesicek.

 

[colly]

I don't have one unfortunately. I wish. In fact in the unlikely event I ever win some serious money I'll be straight off to the Czech Republic for a Mesicek.

Very nice.

I've always wondered how you get on and off. Also, isn't there a tendency if braking hard, or just going down a steep hill, to throw you off the front ?

 

[TheDoctor]

I don't have one unfortunately. I wish. In fact in the unlikely event I ever win some serious money I'll be straight off to the Czech Republic for a Mesicek.

OMFG. Want. So, so want...
They look ruddy gorgeous.
How much? Dare I ask?

 

[Smurfy]

I don't have one unfortunately. I wish. In fact in the unlikely event I ever win some serious money I'll be straight off to the Czech Republic for a Mesicek.

There's also Rideable Replicas

And as far as I know, the only UK builder is/was Joff Summerfield (no idea if he's still building)

Very nice.

I've always wondered how you get on and off. Also, isn't there a tendency if braking hard, or just going down a steep hill, to throw you off the front ?

Front brakes are not for novice riders! Even a small stone can cause an inexperienced rider to take a header, or come a cropper! A safer option is one of these.

How do you get on and off? There is a step located part way up the 'back bone' of the bike.

How much? Dare I ask?

Rideable Replicas have some prices, I'd guess the Czech ones are a similar price.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Does practising trackstands improve bike-handling skills?

Answer in the poll*, and with comments too if you want to.

*this is a public poll

I don't know, my bike handling skills are good, but I'm crap at track stands. I'm crap at leg braking as well, even after all the years on fixed.

 

[summerdays]

I'm not very good at a track stand and can only do a short while. I do practise at various opportunities such as at lights, junctions etc. However if it is failing I put my foot down rather than wobble - in fact I would say that I balance rather than track stand.

I think that it improves your bike handling skills, in being very confident at cycling at slow speeds. I wish I could do it properly though.