General Cycling Discussion - What is Track Stand?

I heard this mentioned in another thread. The poster said that he track stands at a red light. What is it and how do you do it?

Hmmm how to explain

First you come to a stop...and don't put your feet down...to balance wiggle your body, flail body parts and don't put your foot down. Some people even say you can rock back and forth like a trials rider but I find them to be two different techniques...:)

Very important skill to have...especially if you ever do trials or shore type riding.

Come to a stop. Level the pedals. Stand on them. Cock the wheel to one side. Don't fall over.

I can't do it well myself. I know cyclists who make it look effortless.

I've heard that it is easier on a slight uphill grade, and that it is best to learn on a grassy surface.

The technique comes from track racing, hence the name.

WOW
I wouldn't want to practice that while cliped in.

Originally posted by MikeR
WOW
I wouldn't want to practice that while cliped in.


That's kinda the whole point to doing it. You don't want to unclip.

If you just had regular pedals it's not a big deal to put your foot down, but unclipping and then trying to re-clip while you are crossing the intersection with cars right on your butt isn't always fun.

I can't track stand yet, but I can stay up if I keep some small forward movement, like 1/2 mph. So, if I know I have to stop I'll slow way down about 50 feet from the intersection and then just keep creeping forward, while watching the lights. If I get to the intersection and I a) can't turn around and do a little loop, or b) get a jump on the light, then I'll put my foot down. I'm successful about 3 in 5 times. Sometimes (especially after a hill) i'm just too tired and I want to put my foot down to rest for a bit.

Don't worry if you can't do it, it's not a common talent that I've seen. I have yet to see someone track stand around here.


PBW

I can I can :) and I'm in your area PBW ;)

On subject, it takes practice, and good biking handling skills. Don't try it the first day you get clipless, you should be able to clipout fast enough if you start falling to catch yourself...

There are some good instructions for
learning a track stand at Rec.Bicycles (I think)
anyhow the link is trackstand (http://draco.acs.uci.edu/rbfaq/FAQ/9.16.html)
It is a really useful skill when stopped at an
intersection.
I still can't maintain a trackstand for more than
say 30 seconds, but I'm getting there.

Marty

I can say, from personal experience, that track stands are easier to do with a fixed-gear. On the other hand, they are nearly impossible to do with filled panniers on a touring bike.

Track standing is a useful tool for track racers, the leed rider can use it to force the trailing rider ahead of him/her (Assuming they are better at a 'track stand' than their opponent) during a race.

Thought I'd be cool one day, soon after aquiring clipless pedals. I didn't quite have the hang of it, and fell over, off the road and upside down into a ditch full of nettles :(

Funny? Well I can laugh about it now.

Track stand.... I'd be better off with a kick stand

I progressed to track stands from very slow riding. We used to have slow riding competitions when I was a kid to see who fell off last.
These are really useful skills for coping with intersections.

Tracking standing is much easier to learn on a fixed gear (since you can pedal backwards). Thus, with the front wheel turned, you essential keep riding the bike back under you. In fact, that's the normal way to learn on a fixie--start with pedalling backwards and forwards just a few inches with the front wheel cocked over to one side. Standing makes it easier to learn. Also, fat or underinflated tires help too.

Dave

Originally posted by MichaelW
I progressed to track stands from very slow riding. We used to have slow riding competitions when I was a kid to see who fell off last.
These are really useful skills for coping with intersections.

We have a rendition of this called "Not race to the garage", first rider to get to the garage at the end of the driveway lost, if you reversed your forward direction you lost.