Originally Posted by
pallen
Obviously, some people are better at than other, and some bikes are better than others. I have no issues with drinking and eating while riding and riding no hands on my Pacer, but on the Torelli, the no hands thing is much more difficult for me. Its even more difficult now with the new fork. The specs are the same as the last fork but the legs are straight and stiffer, so every little bump translates through more. I can still ride with no hands, but its noticeably harder and I don't even try it in gusty cross winds.
That's interesting, but the Lynskey I have also has a straight stiff lightweight CF fork on a compact frame, the only bike in my stable to have such a fork and frame, yet it is easy to ride with no hands. I can't help to think that's the issue, not saying I'm right because I don't really have a clue, I can't help to think it has something to do with the trail, but I don't know how to prove that or even if it could be proven.
I've read internet sites that claim that racing bikes with tight geometry is impossible to ride with no hands, this isn't true, I have a Trek 660 that has the tightest geometry of all my bikes so tight I have to deflate the air in the rear tire then smash the tire against the seat tube to get if off yet I can ride it with no hands, and pros racing on their race bikes ride with no hands. So there has to be something else going on.