Trouble riding new bike without hands

nshadow · Jan 1, 2012

The older bike more than likely had heavier wheels, giving them more rotational inertia, making it easier to balance.

Robbmiami · Jan 1, 2012

Yamabushi said:
I don't think anyone is discounting the fact that some geometries are inherently more stable(slower handling) than others making them easier to ride hands free. That being said, I've directly experienced the too tight headset issue, have you? If the bars aren't able to turn completely freely with minimal friction, then it will be impossible to ride hands free. Give it a try!

Either the OP's headset is too tight, he isn't good/confident at riding hands free, or he's got an extremely unstable geometry bike. I'd say the first two possibilities are far more likely.

It could be my confidence too, I really don't want to drop my new baby either ! I don't ride as much as a lot of you either-I might do 10 miles a week on average. It's going to increase substantially this next week because I'm back in college.

askmass · Jan 1, 2012

Lots of variables could apply here, I would think.

Too easy of a gear makes it near impossible for me to ride hands free, so I've got to be cranking fairly steady and sit fully upright - commit to it as mentioned above.

That said, I am no expert at hands free whatsoever. Even for those who are, one odd rock at the wrong time and place can put you down hard, I have been warned.

Robbmiami · Jan 1, 2012

askmass said:
Lots of variables could apply here, I would think.

Too easy of a gear makes it near impossible for me to ride hands free, so I've got to be cranking fairly steady and sit fully upright - commit to it as mentioned above.

That said, I am no expert at hands free whatsoever. Even for those who are, one odd rock at the wrong time and place can put you down hard, I have been warned.

I'm going to try in a higher gear. I was kind of brainwashed by someone who told me that I should be pedaling at higher rpm all the time. I've been riding hands free since I was a kid, but never on this type of bike and only for small trips and short commutes. I've had some close calls from no hands but you can usually catch yourself. Getting hit by cars is my worry-that hurts !

Seagoon · Jan 1, 2012

Do me a favour Robbmiami reduce your seat height by 2" and then try.

Robbmiami · Jan 1, 2012

Seagoon said:
Do me a favour Robbmiami reduce your seat height by 2" and then try.

Well let me ask you something, how important is the angle of my leg when the pedal is all the way down ? I've been told it's very important that it be almost straight.

tihsepa · Jan 1, 2012

Robbmiami said:
Well let me ask you something, how important is the angle of my leg when the pedal is all the way down ? I've been told it's very important that it be almost straight.

It is very important. not straight though. Maybe 10-15 degrees of bend.

stanseven · Jan 1, 2012

Almost straight might be too much. You should have a slight bend in it. You should also be bale to lock your ankle (toes pointed straight up) at the 6 o'clock pedal position. Another way to get it right is adjust the saddle so that it's 88% of your inseam height to the pedal spindle while at the bottom position.

ericm979 · Jan 1, 2012

The problem is not with the bike or riding position. It's the rider. You are used to the way a mountain bike's steering responds to input. Road bikes have much quicker handling. So your timing is off when you are making a correction while riding no hands.

The solution is to practice more. Eventually you'll get it. I had the opposite problem at one point when I got a MTB and was doing a lot of riding on the road to get to the trails. It took a while to learn to think farther ahead because the steering was slower to respond to a weight shift.

Your saddle may be too high for efficient pedalling but that's not going to affect your riding no hands.

Seagoon · Jan 1, 2012

Please just try my idea and see if it works.

TWB8s · Jan 1, 2012

Not to be a smart ass but can you balance without being on a bike? It could be you and not the bike.

tihsepa · Jan 1, 2012

I got an idea. How about saying fawkit and just leaving your hands on the bars?

The last thing we need is another out of control cyclist on the road.

Robbmiami · Jan 1, 2012

Seagoon said:
Please just try my idea and see if it works.

I plan to when I get home. I'm out for the weekend

Robbmiami · Jan 1, 2012

TWB8s said:
Not to be a smart ass but can you balance without being on a bike? It could be you and not the bike.

Well what exactly do you mean...I'd guess I have good balance. How would I check my balance in relation to sitting ?

TWB8s · Jan 2, 2012

Robbmiami said:
Well what exactly do you mean...I'd guess I have good balance. How would I check my balance in relation to sitting ?

You could try walking and chewing gum at the same time.

Yoga would be beneficial. Not only would it fine tune your balance it will help with your fitness.

Robbmiami · Jan 2, 2012

ericm979 said:
The problem is not with the bike or riding position. It's the rider. You are used to the way a mountain bike's steering responds to input. Road bikes have much quicker handling. So your timing is off when you are making a correction while riding no hands.

The solution is to practice more. Eventually you'll get it. I had the opposite problem at one point when I got a MTB and was doing a lot of riding on the road to get to the trails. It took a while to learn to think farther ahead because the steering was slower to respond to a weight shift.

Your saddle may be too high for efficient pedalling but that's not going to affect your riding no hands.

Well I'll definitely get plenty of practice with the semester starting. I don't think my seat is too high. I can put my leg straight, with my ankles locked and lift off the seat a couple of inches. I'm going to see how it feels if I bring it down a little bit.

cleansweep13 · Jan 2, 2012

I noticed one of my bikes was a little harder to ride with no hands. I checked and the headset was too tight so I think there is some excelent advice here!

Robbmiami · Jan 2, 2012

TWB8s said:
You could try walking and chewing gum at the same time.

Yoga would be beneficial. Not only would it fine tune your balance it will help with your fitness.

Lmao ! I thought you meant something particular to cycling. I have exceptional balance. I lift weights three times a week. I do in place lunges with 135 x 10 with a barbell on my back (I'm not the hulk nor do I want to be) and I never lose my balance, so I'd figure that's fine. Plus I took my training wheels off last week so...

Robbmiami · Jan 2, 2012

tihsepa said:
I got an idea. How about saying fawkit and just leaving your hands on the bars?

The last thing we need is another out of control cyclist on the road.

Your right, but it nice to sit up sometimes

Robbmiami · Jan 2, 2012

cleansweep13 said:
I noticed one of my bikes was a little harder to ride with no hands. I checked and the headset was too tight so I think there is some excelent advice here!

But I did the test suggested and it moves back and forth fine, I didn't observe any play in it either. When riding it turns smooth as silk

Trouble riding new bike without hands

nshadow

Robbmiami

askmass

Robbmiami

Seagoon

Robbmiami

tihsepa

stanseven

ericm979

Seagoon

TWB8s

tihsepa

Robbmiami

Robbmiami

TWB8s

Robbmiami

cleansweep13

Robbmiami

Robbmiami

Robbmiami

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