balance issues- what is the deal?

[HillSlugger]

Part of riding balance is the distribution of your weight between the saddle, handlebars, and (not so much) pedals, the three places where you contact the bike. If you have too much weight on your hands you may not feel comfortable letting go of the bar at all. Beyond that, the geometry of the bike will help determine how well it tracks when the bars are unweighted as also will the tightness of the headset.

I can ride with either hand and grab my water bottle or stuff from my pockets, I can lean forward far or sit up almost straight, barely touching the bars, and all is well. As soon as I remove both hands from the bars the bike feels out of control. I used to be able to ride no-handed as a kid, so I think it has something to do with this bike.

[GLC1968]

I agree that bike fit has something to do with it. But, so does conditioning and experience...

When I first started riding, I had major balance issues. Drinking from the water bottle only happened at intersections and there was no way I could even wipe my upper lip without veering half off the road.

The first improvement I saw was when I got a new bike that fit me. My first one was way too big and I felt very unstable. Secondly, my second bike was also better suited to my riding style as it was less 'twitchy' because it wasn't as aggressive. It rode a bit more stable.

Then as I worked on core strength, I also built up stability on the bike.

Lastly, time and experience has helped. It's been 2 years (next week, actually!) and I can drink, adjust things on my bike/person, swat at bugs, zip and unzip my jackets, turn to look behind me, etc...all without swerving. I still cannot go 'no hands', but since I don't plan on winning any races, I don't really need too!

So I would suggest 1) check bike fit 2) improve core strength and 3) give it time.

[Torrilin]

Core strength is a *big* part of it. Most rides I conciously try to support my torso with my torso muscles rather than my arms. The more core strength I develop, the longer I can do that. (and the better I can do turn signals, and grab my waterbottle, and fiddle with my headlight...)

I think it's really misleading to say once you learn how to ride a bike you never forget... cause there's a lot of physical strength and skill needed that you *do* forget.