Standing still at traffic lights!

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Question:

Has anyone found that it is easier to trackstand one handed? I usually relax my left arm and let it hang on the side while having my right hand on the rear brake and to control the steering. I can usually trackstand for longer like this…I don’t know why. Vince — — Vincent Cheng**2nd Year Mechanical Engineering Co-op**University of Alberta Creative Web Catchers HTML Designer*http://www.cwc.cban.com Maintainer for Mountain Biking FAQ*http://www.ualberta.ca/~vccheng/faq.html Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society*http://freenet.edmonton.ab.ca/ebc/ Columnist-Gearhead MTB e-zine*http://www.gearhead.com/ Columnist-Edmonton Oilers Hockey*http://www.ualberta.ca/~mkozak/oilers.htm

Response:

I personally put the foot down, and use the few moments to swig some water or wipe my brow. A lot more effective than showboating and doing a trackstand!

Trackstanding at lights is about my favorite part of my commute, and I consider it a failed ride if I put my foot down. Trackstanding skills also help a lot with general low speed riding, and it’s the kind of skill that deteriorates if you don’t practice it. So showboat away, I say. – The FAQ has a pretty good explanation of how to learn to trackstand. In it, Mr Brandt claims this sort of thing annoys motorists, and he may be right, but doesn’t everything about bicycles annoy some motorists? Marty G —

Response:

How the hell do you sit there on your bike going nowhere at traffic lights???? I started riding a few years ago and figured it would come with experience, but I am no closer now then I was then. Any1 have any tips on how to experience this phenomena (basically so I can show up my friends). Thanks. Nic.

You have to be able to control the bike in both directions. I can’t really do it well on a freewheel, but have recently started riding a fixed wheel, and am really starting to get it together there-you can actually pedal the bike backwards to regain your balance. As to those who reckon it’s overly flashy, I agree and that’s why I’m trying to learn it! If I wanted uncool I’d ditch the bike, get a Lincoln Towncar and sit there in the traffic jam polluting the environment with the other idiots… Best of luck Steve | Building 149, | | 13th Street, | Tel: (617) 726-7800 | Charlestown, MA 02129 | Fax: (617) 726-7808 D1 F2 9C 38 18 90 9C EB 43 BE BD 02 93 49 02 F8

Response:

I personally put the foot down, and use the few moments to swig some water or wipe my brow. A lot more effective than showboating and doing a trackstand!

Not to mention the fact that a trackstand is much more sensible on a track bike, where you can pedal backwards as well as forward.

Response:

Instead of clipless shoes try it with tennis shoes over a soft grassy area. And don’t forget the Charmin!

Response:

the "track stand" you are seeking comes with much practice — why bother … sure it looks cool, but a foot on the ground accomplishes the same thing and nobody will think you’re a ‘fred’ because you touched down. Yes, i can track stand, but it took about 2 good seasons of practice (without clipless pedals) to perfect and i don’t use it much anyway. DC The entire pack of the 1989 Mississippi district junior road championships came to a track stand at mile 57 of 60. Useful? I don’t know. Cool? Most definitely cool. — Joseph Moreland ***WARNING*** PER US CODE TITLE 47, Sec.227(a)(2)(B), a computer modem/printer meets the definition of a telephone fax machine. By Sec. 227(b)(1)(C), it is unlawful to send any unsolicited advertisement to such equipment. By Sec. 227 (B)(3)(C), a violation of teh aforementioned is punishble by action to recover actual money lost, OR $500 WHICHEVER IS GREATER, FOR EACH VIOLATION. If you wish to send me an unsolicited advertisement, please remit $500 CERTIFIED CHECK _FIRST_

Response:

: I would suggest putting a foot on the ground. That’s what I do. When I : fail to do so, I really look foolish with my face rubbing on the : pavement. First take up trials and start riding a fixed gear. Fixed gear makes it easier to trackstand. Trials lets you recover when you are about to blow it by being able to hop in place and move sideways or backwards if you drifted too far. One hint on learning to trackstand, practice with either pedal foward, that is if the wheel is turn to the right, right foot foward and vice versa. This eliminates problems with wheel overlap. Scott Yu

Response:

| Organization: University of California, Davis | Lines: 13 | NNTP-Posting-Host: boris.ucdavis.edu | X-Newsreader: TIN [UNIX 1.3 950824BETA PL0] | Xref: fido.asd.sgi.com rec.bicycles.racing:85416 aus.bicycle:9990 rec.bicycles.tech:115941 rec.sport.triathlon:58347 | | : I would suggest putting a foot on the ground. That’s what I do. When I | : fail to do so, I really look foolish with my face rubbing on the | : pavement. | | First take up trials and start riding a fixed gear. Fixed gear makes it | easier to trackstand. Trials lets you recover when you are about to blow | it by being able to hop in place and move sideways or backwards if you | drifted too far. One hint on learning to trackstand, practice with | either pedal foward, that is if the wheel is turn to the right, right | foot foward and vice versa. This eliminates problems with wheel overlap. | | Scott Yu Track-standing is handy for short rides. But I prefer perfecting getting my foot quickly locked-in after I have rested with foot on ground at lights. I appreciate the extra bits of energy I have left toward the end of a 5 hour ride. -Greg

Response:

A track stand? It took me awhile to learn – did alot of time on rollers, too! I got my best results using my front wheel (moving it side to side) to keep my balance. Now, after about an eight year lay off from cycling, I can’t do it again – so, more practice! Sorry, that’s the best advcie I can give – practice, practice, practice! Frank Carson

Response:

I personally put the foot down, and use the few moments to swig some water or wipe my brow. A lot more effective than showboating and doing a trackstand!

Response:

How the hell do you sit there on your bike going nowhere at traffic lights????

1. Ride. 2. Unclip one foot (for safety) 3. Come to a stop fairly quickly. Keep your brakes ON. You should be able to stay balanced for about half a second before starting to fall (make sure you fall towards your un-clipped foot…) Do this a few more times. You should be able to extend the time that you can balance. Other hints: * Try it with your front wheel pointing up a hill or a pothole (plenty of these in Canberra now) This stops you rolling forward, and allows you to put a bit of pressure on the pedals, which helps with balance. * Practise practise practise * I usually unclip one foot anyway, just in case I *do* fall. Finally, you can do this to be cool if you like; I just do it so that I can quickly get away from the cars behind me. Good luck. Nick.

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Track stands. Here’s how: http://www.bicycleguide.com/features/9612/secrets/secrets.html Hope this helps. /m

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– The FAQ has a pretty good explanation of how to learn to trackstand. In it, Mr Brandt claims this sort of thing annoys motorists, and he may be right, but doesn’t everything about bicycles annoy some motorists?

Well.. I haven;t been a motorist for some years (I’m a motorcyclist) but I found that the only time trackstanding bothered me was if the guy seemed unsure and was creeping across my front. Then I had to worry about him either falling over in front of me or else being in the way when I started off. No big deal really. Zebee

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: : How the hell do you sit there on your bike going nowhere at traffic : lights???? I started riding a few years ago and figured it would come it does indeed come with experience, but only with experience at trying to track-stand! seriously, it is very possible (i can personally stand for as long as i want to on any slope, and rarely roll forward or backwards. however, i commute every day and it took a while for me to get really good.) others’ advice about brakes, rolling etc is really good. follow it. also, when you get more advanced, try leaning the top tube of the frame on a leg, usually the rear foot leg. this way, i can just stand there, not moving, and sprint away from cars when the light changes. good luck. — |these are only my opinions, folks; do not become excited| |unsolicited email advertisements will be assumed to have| |been remitted for proofreading, for which service i will| |assess a fee of US$100 per line. payment is expected | |upon reciept of said correspondences. |

Response:

Yup. It’s not that hard. I’m convinced that learning it helped my off-road technical abilities. Anyway, If you’re on the right side of the road, try this: Notice how the road is "crowned" – the streets usually slope down either side of the center line. If you’re on the right side of the street, point your front wheel 45 degrees or more up into the slope (left). Now with cranks level (I usually go right foot forward), either apply slight pedal pressure or let the bike roll back down to correct any inbalance. The hard part is not to be tempted to wiggle your front wheel around to try to balance — screws up the whole system. Remember to "ratchet" your pedals to keep them level, too. Also, I think it’s easier to learn while sitting, then pick up standing. Maybe not. Good luck.

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Hi Nic, You can start practicising it on a hill. Just roll out with the bike until you come to a standstill then start to balance. Don’t start trying it with clipless pedals start practising with your mountain bike! Don’t crash and hace fun Eric

Response:

the "track stand" you are seeking comes with much practice — why bother … sure it looks cool, but a foot on the ground accomplishes the same thing and nobody will think you’re a ‘fred’ because you touched down. Yes, i can track stand, but it took about 2 good seasons of practice (without clipless pedals) to perfect and i don’t use it much anyway. DC – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would suggest putting a foot on the ground. That’s what I do. When I fail to do so, I really look foolish with my face rubbing on the pavement. Try it. How the hell do you sit there on your bike going nowhere at traffic lights???? I started riding a few years ago and figured it would come with experience, but I am no closer now then I was then. Any1 have any tips on how to experience this phenomena (basically so I can show up my friends). Thanks. Nic.

Response:

The trick I use is the slope of the pavement. Usually you can find a bit of a trough in the road, especially asphalt, where the cars have caused the surface to indent. Roll into the trough and point your front tire up the slope and stop. Apply just enough pressure on the pedals to keep from rolling down the slope backwards. The pressure of the pedals working against the slope of the road will help make the bike stable. With practice it gets to be pretty easy. You might want to find a grassy slope to practice on until you get the hang of it. Good luck Larry Meade – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How the hell do you sit there on your bike going nowhere at traffic lights???? I started riding a few years ago and figured it would come with experience, but I am no closer now then I was then. Any1 have any tips on how to experience this phenomena (basically so I can show up my friends). Thanks. Nic.

Response:

How the hell do you sit there on your bike going nowhere at traffic lights????

The trick is that you don’t really stop in a track stand. You have to move to balance. You move fore and aft if you can, or forward really slowly. It’s kind of like balancing a yard-stick (or meter stick) in the palm of you hand. You move you hand around to keep the stick from falling over. You don’t just stop. You know how when you’re biking slowly, you have to make more exagurated steering motions to balance? It’s sort of the same effect except that in addition to steering, you adjust the pressure on the pedals to help with the balance too. The position to take is with the wheel turned 20-30 degrees to one side or the other, the pedals horizontal, in a low-but-not-granny gear, and the fingers ready on the brakes. (NOTE: watch for fender clearance). It’s easier on an uphill section because you can slip back a bit. Some people are good enough to use the crowning of the road. On a level or downhill section you always end up slipping forward, working the brakes alot and switching the front wheel from side to side. Fixed gear bikes have an advantage here. Suppose that you have the front wheel turned left. If you start to fall to the left you push on the pedals so that wheels come under you. If you start to fall to the right you can let yourself slip back if you are on a downhill. You can also hit the brakes if you are moving, or flip the direction of the front wheel. At least that’s how I understand it. I’m not that good, and there are probably other effects taking place that I am not aware of. For me, at least, there’s a whole lotta shaking going on. I can usually hold forward progress to one car length in a light cycle for a certain uphill stop light in my commute. Since I do it every day, it’s getting better. Like most other complex physical tasks it all happens faster than you can consciously think about it. You have to practice it until it gets trained into one of the lower brain functions. I’ve read that one good place to get started is to find a parking lot with a slight slope to it. Bike in a circle. Go slower and slower on the uphill stretch, until you start to feel how pressure on the pedals has an effect on steering. It also helps to have your brakes well adjusted and the tires fully inflated. Snow and big squishy tires make it difficult. Loosen the toe clips too. -Jeff Bell

Response:

I think what you’re after is a trackstand, ie not putting a foot down at lights. This is real hard. Basically just practice going really slowly, then eventually stop. Don’t practice this clipped in, because you’ll probably fall which doesn’t much help you. Bicycling Magazine every now and then has something about how to do it, not sure which issue or anything so I’m not much help though. I think the way I eventually got it was by going slowly and then running into a wall (at low speed), then just balancing myself up on the pedals. Keep your pedals parallel to the ground for weight distribution. Just keep practicing and eventually you’ll pick it up. I wouldn’t really recommend doing this at stop lights (the things take a long time to change and thus you have to stay balanced forever), but it is really useful at stopsigns as you don’t have to clip out. Sorry this whole thing is so confused, but I’m not entirely sure how I learned it anymore. Ask some roadies that might race on the track, mt. bikers probably also have a good idea. At any rate don’t take what I say as absolute truth, I have been known to be wrong before. Good luck, Paul Drafting Sucks. Keep tri-ing!

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I second the foot on the ground method. I perfer to use the foot I’m leaning towards as this seems to be much more stable! Mike

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I would suggest putting a foot on the ground. That’s what I do. When I fail to do so, I really look foolish with my face rubbing on the pavement. Try it. How the hell do you sit there on your bike going nowhere at traffic lights???? I started riding a few years ago and figured it would come with experience, but I am no closer now then I was then. Any1 have any tips on how to experience this phenomena (basically so I can show up my friends). Thanks. Nic.

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Practice maneuvering while riding slowly. Just ride a set course and try to get as slow at it as possible. Maybe you shouldn’t do this while clipped in if you have a real hard time at balancing right now. good luck, keep at it keith

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You have a lot on your mind!

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