Taking hands off handlebar, signalling etc

bikeboon

Hi, approaching 1k miles on my 1st road bike, and still not comfortable taking off a hand at a time (e.g. to signal) whilst of the hoods, in particular on downhills. Could indicate on my mtb and a hybrid no problem. Bike seems to be the right size. The carbon fork does not feel as solid as mtb, side wind can push off course - am guessing that's the price one pays for 23mm tyres @120+light weight. Any tips/drills you can suggest to learn riding with only one hand on (I know this sounds silly, but nevertheless)? Thanks.

Peddle Up!

Just practice I guess. I followed a guy this morning who leaned down to grab his drink bottle, had a swig and then took his hands off the bars and had a good stretch before putting it back. Some of us are doomed to life's wobblers.

night_porter

I too find that roadbikes are a little less stable so I use a different strategy for turning.

If you position your bike correctly on the road it is blatantly obvious where you are going and this reduces the need to use hand signals.

Obviously there are times when you have to do it but given that any hand signal is reliant on someone actually seeing it I find road position works better.

Another option would be to buy some indicators that fit to your bike and flash similar to car indicators, I saw some at the Ideal Home show but they are available on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bike-Signals-Bicy ... 19c39aab7d

They look stupid to me but whatever floats your boat.... :roll:

Uchiga

I've considered makign a set of indicators to go on the rear seat stays of a bike for a tech project, and then thought again. You'd be better off with lights on your gloves so people can see your signals in the dark!

Practise makes permenant/perfect so keep practising down your quiet street if you have one... I do find after comign from my MTB or Singlespeed, if i do try a road bike i'm a little wobbly to begin with but thats cos of the narrower bars. If it helps, buy yourself a set of wider bars and then ocne you get used to it, bring your hands inwards towards your stem and practise till you get used to it.

+1 for road position though it's one of the best things you can do, you have as much right as a car to be on the road, and heck you have this beautifully wide lane so long as no cars decide to over take you.. so use it! Signal obviously but by all means use the whole width of the road you're in! I saw someone signalling right but remianning ont he left hand side of the lane, some idiot car over took just as they turned and nearly took the poor guy out!

nickwill

night_porter wrote:

I too find that roadbikes are a little less stable so I use a different strategy for turning.

If you position your bike correctly on the road it is blatantly obvious where you are going and this reduces the need to use hand signals.

Obviously there are times when you have to do it but given that any hand signal is reliant on someone actually seeing it I find road position works better.

Another option would be to buy some indicators that fit to your bike and flash similar to car indicators, I saw some at the Ideal Home show but they are available on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bike-Signals-Bicy ... 19c39aab7d

They look stupid to me but whatever floats your boat.... :roll:

Sorry but I think that's bad advice. You need to indicate really clearly and get in the correct position. If you've got your position set up properly your bike should be reasonably stable. It is probably mainly a confidence problem so practice as much as you can somewhere quiet.

teulk

The one problem i find trying to signal when on my road bike is when going downhil and turning left or right - problem is trying to brake and also take a hand off the brake/bars. Im sure (well think i am) it says in the highway code there is no need to signal in such circumstances due to the danger of turning and braking and taking a hand off the brakes / bars to signal as it may be dangerous.
Obvoiusly you have to be very careful and sure any drivers know what your intentions are.

bikeboon

Nickwill wrote:

Sorry but I think that's bad advice. You need to indicate really clearly and get in the correct position. If you've got your position set up properly your bike should be reasonably stable. It is probably mainly a confidence problem so practice as much as you can somewhere quiet.

I mean, whatever works, right, as long as it is safe? If taking hands off the _road bike_ is considerably less safer than the highway code prescription then I go with whatever is safer for me... It's so much less 'unsafe' signaling when on a hybrid or MTB, so yes, I would.

Consider MSM in practice when driving. Mirror - definitely. Signal - only if it helps someone.

AidanR

It's not that hard to take a hand off and signal. It's not even that hard to brake one-handed whilst signalling with the other. You should have the position on the bike and the core strength to be able to take both hands *just* off the bars and keep the same body position, at least for a few seconds. That will allow you to brake one handed. Everything else is just practice.

Yes, you can make the compromises above, but it's best to learn how to ride safely by practicing the necessary bike-handling skills. It shouldn't take too long, just a bit of bravery

bails87

I don't find that I'm ever turning and indicating at the same time.

Check what's going on behind you, signal before the junction and where appropriate, take the lane so no-one can overtake. That way, the car behind has seen your signal and they know what you're going to do. And you don't have to worry about signalling right whilst negotiating a roundabout at the bottom of hill and braking.

desweller

Maybe your position is causing you to put too much weight on your hands? As AidanR says, you should be able to support your normal riding position without major contribution from your hands.

Try riding in a straight line and just placing one hand against your chest so you get used to controlling the bars one-handed before doing the whole shoulder-check-and-indicating malarkey.

P_Tucker

If you can't take one hand off the bars, is it really a good idea to be riding on the road?

andrewjoseph

To help keep the bike more stable when indicating going downhill, put your knee onto the frame.

Indicate before the turn when the bike is upright in a straight line.

Do most of your braking before you indicate, then just use the brakes to keep speed from building when you are indicating.

jswba

Get yourself doing some core strength exercises. This'll really help with your stability

rick_chasey

Practice riding one handed - one fignered - then no handed.

It makes all bike handling easier if you can ride no-handed. It's the next skill to lean after riding sans stabilisers.

rhext

Check your headset's properly adjusted and turns freely.

aripallaris

this may sound silly but try working your core it will help you stabilise better. if your core is strong then it will just take a little time till it learns how to react on an unstable platform. as above remove a finger and remember to breath. if your breathing heavily and in and out of your mouth your core will not tighten and thus you wont stabilise very well. breath through your nose and out your mouth and you'll notice a massive difference.

Pross

Well in advance of the junction check shoulder to make sure nothing is about to pass, signal clearly, check shoulder again and move into position (more for right turning). Once you are in a position where you need to slow down for the turn or need to actually start the manoeuvre give your shoulder a final check and put your hand back down on the bars ready to turn. Confidence is the biggest single issue in taking a hand off the bars, I think with a hybrid or MTB you probably feel more confident as you expect the bike to be more stable and the brake levers are easier to reach. Maybe try putting your hand on your thigh at first when checking your shoulder.

derosa

Pross wrote:

Well in advance of the junction check shoulder to make sure nothing is about to pass, signal clearly, check shoulder again and move into position (more for right turning). Once you are in a position where you need to slow down for the turn or need to actually start the manoeuvre give your shoulder a final check and put your hand back down on the bars ready to turn.

Exactly as I was taught for my cycling proficiency test as a kid all those years ago - and still the right thing to do.