Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Easier to trackstand when:

Fixed or Single?

I've been finding it alot easier to 'trackstand' while my bike is in singlespeed mode.

Unless cleaning my ears out the other day helped my equilibrium...

Anyone else get this?

That sounds wierd. How can it be easier than when you can move back and forth at will.

I can't trackstand for anything with a freewheel bike. But hey if it works for you then by all means go with it.

I haven't noticed much a difference. I have noticed it getting easier with lower gearing, though.

with a freewheel you can constantly reset the pedels to 9-3 ..i find it way easier with a freewheel...but more fun on a fixed

Like most, I find trackstanding much easier on a fixed....regardless of surface grade. On a freewheeler I can only do it when my front wheel is cocked over a slight incline so I can rock back.

there really should have been "drunk" and a "sober" options. just saying.

don't clean your ears for a couple months and see if the difficulty level goes up.

Trackstanding is very difficult when experiencing vertigo (inner ear fluid circulation problem thingy).

there really should have been "drunk" and a "sober" options. just saying.

ha! there should be 2 more options

1. with or without heels
2. and for a nice level of difficulty drunk with heels

1. with or without heels
2. and for a nice level of difficulty drunk with heels

1. yes, I agree - heels are such a bizzat!
2. are the two ever separate?

I gotta make a living somehow..or Skitbra will hit me again

']2. are the two ever separate?

I'm going to guess not for you.

No problems trackstanding in heels here, drunk or sober. But I do still need to fix myself up a nice pair of clipless heels.

I recently learned that I can't trackstand worth a good-gosh-darn while drunk, even though I can generally do it until I get tired or bored while sober. I don't know how you people do it. Granted, I was pretty sauced the last time I tried to do it.

easier to trackstand when there is a slight uphill the direction your wheel is facing, hence it is a bonus to be better at trackstanding with your left foot in front because of the way roads are generally paved.

it's far easier on a fixed wheel

however, the other day I managed to track stand on a bmx, I was impressed with myself.

it's far easier on a fixed wheel

however, the other day I managed to track stand on a bmx, I was impressed with myself.

Probably the tire width, or maybe the weight distribution of a bmx.

I've noticed I can't trackstand very well on a road bike with a freewheel, but I do pretty well on my ss mtb, with it's wider tires. On the fixie w/ my right foot forward I can sit there for quite a while.

However, I can't trackstand for sh*t with my left foot forward.

Went out in the parking lot at lunch today and fooled around on the bike for a while. After 35 minutes or so of practice I found that a no-handed trackstand w/ the left foot forward, isn't that much tougher than a regular trackstand. (Still don't think I'll be pulling it off at stoplights any time soon, but I can sit there for a minute or two w/o much effort on flat, level pavement.) Yet I'm still pretty hopeless with the left foot forward.

Seems to me no handed would be *harder* than switching feet. Apparently not.

Can't do a backward 360 to save my life either. Is that a right/left dominance thing too?

-Trevor

Most important, I believe, is to learn to trackstand with your head up. Looking at the horizon or something. Then you are that much more aware of what's going on around you. Just trackstand as you stop. A lot of times I'm at 12 and six with my pedals when I'm 'standing.

ha! there should be 2 more options

1. with or without heels
2. and for a nice level of difficulty drunk with heels

or after drinking coffee (makes me jittery and I lose balance)

That's why you must seek the perfect blend of coffee and beer.

Here is the perfect blend ;)

http://www.mylifeisbeer.com/beer/bottles/bottledetail/382/

Good stuff.

ive only been trying to learn to trackstand on my sorta new ss for a couple of weeks now. i just see how long i can stand at red lights before falling off and its much easier when im on a slight incline so i can rock back. how do you tstand on flats with an ss?? rock back against the front brake?

ive only been trying to learn to trackstand on my sorta new ss for a couple of weeks now. i just see how long i can stand at red lights before falling off and its much easier when im on a slight incline so i can rock back. how do you tstand on flats with an ss?? rock back against the front brake?

I usually end up creeping forward a little bit when I start to lose balance, then braking, and back-pedalling to get back into position...

Still kinda tough with a freewheel...

-Trevor

http://www.gamedreamz.com/psoexplorer/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/GifMinefield/stupid_thread.jpg

and to add to that..

I saw one of those manhattan pedicab drivers in trackstand position at a stoplight the other day..

i can track stand drunk just fine... not one handed tho... had to get someone else to pour my beer for me...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v115/gally99/PICT0015.jpg

When rockin' out on a freewheel (works with the fix too), I like to use my calves to sorta bounce up and down just a little bit. Kinda like a trials rider does before doin' a huge bunny hop or something. Keeps your legs ready to do whatever at a drop of a hat. Also very nice for activley counteracting coffe jitters or post sprint jitters. Call it track-tweaking.

Like in tennis when someone is at the apex of a serve, you do a little hop and when you come down you can transfer that energy into the direction you need to go to get to the ball. NOW GET OUT THERE AND SHOW SOME HUSTLE!!

When rockin' out on a freewheel (works with the fix too), I like to use my calves to sorta bounce up and down just a little bit.

You know, I never paid attention, but I do this too. Between bouncing, I also reset the pedals like someone else said earlier, along with, well, I don't know how to explain it, but like pulsating the brake levers...makes it easier for me on a freewheel.

I think the whole backpressure thing on fixed actually makes it harder for my uncoordinated arse.

I guess if most practicing is done drunk, one would have to relearn to 'stand sober, huh? Just a thought.