Riding no handed
orderodonata
Posts: 86
I've upped the spec on my bike over the last year, and it's a couple of pounds lighter than it used to be, but now if I ride no handed, it feels very twitchy and I'm not as confident as I'd like, especially at low speed.
Is it just a skill to learn/re-learn, or are lighter bikes inherently all over the place?
Ta.
Is it just a skill to learn/re-learn, or are lighter bikes inherently all over the place?
Ta.
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Alive at both ends, but a little dead in the middle.
Alive at both ends, but a little dead in the middle.
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if its a better spec bike then it probably has better/lighter wheels.
this means there is less rotating mass and therefore less gyroscopic effect, which is what keeps you upright and balanced.
also differing angles...head, rake, trail will all effect its twitchyness too.
i had a trek vrx with awesome rolf satalite wheels, the front was 20 paired spokes and it was impossible to ride no handed!0 -
More speed = more gyroscopic effect = more balance
Does that sound counter intuitive, I can only ride no hand if i keep my legs spinning, and think forwards and not think about the fact my hands arent on the bars.0 -
i can ride my giant with no hands easily pedalling or just rolling the front always keeps straight until i shift my weight slightly to steer the bike. but i cannot take my hands off my ribble and sit back as the handle bars will instantly swing around and i'll dieCrafted in Italy apparantly0
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You can ride no handed anywhere with enough momentum especially if you can deliver power in a balanced way. I went no handed up a reasonably steep slope whilst removing my helmet yesterday and didn't veer once. Try sitting even more straight as you go no handed. Need a back like an ironing board when doing it.
I'm on a light bike too, P-X. Maybe the lighter bike is punishing you for balance errors you got away with before. It's just practice but it's certainly doable on light bikes.The British Empire never died, it just moved to the Velodrome0 -
Sit bolt upright and look at the road ahead, not down at the front wheel.0
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Practise,Practise,Practise....
I have been able to ride no handed since I was a kid,however I have only recently been able to do the same whilst on my rollers which does take quite a lot of concentration.Dialled Bikes Prince Albert MTB
Giant Bowery Inc lots of Upgrades
Project Concorde Road Bike0 -
there is anlso another answer - buy deeper rimmed wheels - lighter wheels have the bike more twitcy, but I have found deep rimmed wheels more stable when you need to eat or do an SMS
http://veloviewer.com/SigImage.php?a=3370a&r=3&c=5&u=M&g=p&f=abcdefghij&z=a.png
Wiliers: Cento Uno/Superleggera R and Zero 7. Bianchi Infinito CV and Oltre XR20 -
My vote says it's down to practice.
I've never been without a bike since about 4yrs old, and whilst I've not conciously practiced riding no handed, I guess 34yrs of biking has given me plenty of practice. I find it second nature now, although on my road bike it's a little more twitchy.
MScience adjusts it’s beliefs based on what’s observed.
Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved0 -
Just practice !
I learnt how to do it this year, age 47...
Harder on my TT bike as the weight distribution is further forward, more onto the front wheel. Easier on the roadbike, particularly if I lean back more and unweight the front wheel.0 -
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I think it's definitely the change in wheels from Aksium to Dura Ace. I think the gyroscopic effect must play a part, I was just a bit surprised the first time I tried it on the new wheels.
I'm sure I'll get used to it! Or fall off, one or the other.______________________________________
Alive at both ends, but a little dead in the middle.0 -
Look no hands! Look no teeth!
that is the advice I was given.
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There is another option. Don't ride no handed. 0
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Smokin Joe wrote:Sit bolt upright and look at the road ahead, not down at the front wheel.
Thats what works for me, although I can't do it on my Specialized very well for some reason. Also keep pedaling kind of evenly and powerfully, not spinning.And now you know, and knowing is half the battle
05 Spesh Enduro Expert
05 Trek 1000 Custom build
Speedily Singular Thingy0 -
If you've upgraded your bars or changed your cable housings recently that could contribute. A change in the length (or just stiffness) of the cable housing may mean that left alone the bars tend toward turning one direction more easily than the other.
Probably the wheels though.0 -
I used to be able to ride my BMX when I was younger downhill no handed but no chance would I try it now, one hand signalling can make me wobble sometimes.0
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lol :shock:pneumatic wrote:Look no hands! Look no teeth!
that is the advice I was given. Coveryourcar.co.uk RT Tester
north west of england.0
