Originally Posted by Eggplant Jeff
What's the big deal?
Is trackstanding a critical skill? No.
Is it completely worthless? No.
It's definitely a neat trick, but that doesn't make it important. I personally prefer not to have to unclip at intersections, so I'll slow to an absolute crawl and inch along while waiting for the light to change. I personally can't do a "true" trackstand (staying in one position indefinitely), I have to inch forward.
It's not a huge deal but it is easier (if I keep my butt on the seat, it's uncomfortable to reach a foot down to the ground. And I'm lazy and prefer not to dismount/remount all the time).
If you're trying on a freewheel bike, it helps to have it in a higher gear, and "fight" the brakes. It's easier to balance when there's more resistance to the pedals.
I would not disagree it can be useful, but personally I find it more work than unclipping one foot and putting it down. Keep other clipped in at 9-11o'c, when its time to go, push down, clip in other foot as pedal comes up and all one misses is ~25% of the initial pull up from the non clipped in foot. I think it is far less energy and more relaxing to unclip, take a breather, look around, etc.
Of course I wont' unclip if coming up on a light that is going to change soon or a stop sign where the stop only needs to be momentary. But over 10-15sec and I will always unclip.
Al