Bike Drills/Goofing off

[HillSlugger]

I'm working on the no-hands thing... just playing around. It really depends (for me) how my saddle's tipped. I think it might be somewhat easier for men because men are generally more comfortable with saddle tipped upward. I like saddle tipped down, but when I'm going hands-free, I feel like I slide forward on the saddle.

I rode no-handed all the time growing up but almost went down the first time I tried it on my road bike. When I sit up and unweight the front wheel the handling and control fall apart. I will probably try it again now that I'm much more used to this bike.

[Eden]

If your front wheel really wobbles around when you are no handed check your headset - it may be loose or the bearings may need replacing.

[HillSlugger]

If your front wheel really wobbles around when you are no handed check your headset - it may be loose or the bearings may need replacing.

I bought it new in September and it only has about 400 road miles on it so too loose seems much more likely than worn out. I'll have my LBS check it out when I bring it in for its tuneup.

Thanks

[Kitsune06]

Yeah, no clips. I can get the rear wheel to leave the ground by jumping and pulling the bike up with me (just a little) and using forearm and wrist to move it forward a bit, but I need a lot more practice on that b/c I lose balance a lot on landing. Trials riders just blow me away. I think I read somewhere that trials riders use pressure back against the pedals to grip (hence 'shinburger' pedals) because you don't want to do real trials clipped in (you'd eat it in fantastic ways if you couldn't bail right)

[maillotpois]

Kit - intreresting comment on the "how the seat is tilted" affecting your no hands ability. My riding partner says it's all about how your pelvis and lower abs are positioned/tilted/whatever. She's better at it than I am and tried to get me to practice at the end of our 85 mile ride (during which I pretty much bonked). Not likely!

But it's all got to be connected - weight, balance, abs, pelvis.

[Tuckervill]

Yes, riding no-hands is all in the hip flexors--the front and outside ones. It's subtle and takes finesse, and just thinking about it I can feel those flexors twitching. Sometimes a little glute squeeze, a knee moved in or out. Never like balancing a book on your head, with your hands out. Your head and arms follow the hips, the hips counterbalance the bike.

I've ridden for miles with no hands (not all at once!). When I first started riding again 3 years ago, I never thought I'd get back to the point where I could ride no-hands like that again. But...it's like riding a bike. You never forget.

Karen

[kelownagirl]

I haven't been able to lift my hands off my bike for more than a few seconds. I remember riding my ten speed all the way to school (1.5 miles) with no hands, carrying my uitar over one shoulder. The tricky part was timing it right when I got to the busy road so I didn't have to stop.

I didn't think I'd be able to learn to ride no hands again. You are giving me hope. Another goal for 2007!