I cannot (or am too chicken) to peel off a rain jacket while riding. I hold (or rest my hand on) the bar when I take off or put on gloves. I need to be moving fairly fast (for the gyroscopic effect, I assume) to be remove both hands. Sometimes it's better when I am pedaling, sometimes when I am coasting. I am ultra vigilant sans hands - I keep my focus 100% on the road, I swerve with my hips to avoid flush manhole covers, etc.

You probably know exactly what I am describing. Maybe you can educate me. I am asking in this forum because maybe it's different for older folk.

I think I remember being comfortable riding w/o hands when I was younger, even though I never rode lots of miles like I do now. My 2007 Specialized Roubaix seems like it must be the definition of a "non-twitchy" bike. I like "adventure" more than most folks (i.e., I am a dope about caution). I am 67 but my general sense of balance (scrambling on rocks, climbing trees, leaning to the side from ladders) seems undiminished.

PS #1 - I have a handlebar bag that is immensely convenient for snacks, bandanas, swapping water bottles, etc.

PS #2 - I am not worried about shimmies. I do get a shimmy occasionally (including at least once with no hands), but I can stop it by pressing a thigh against the top tube. I got one at 43 MPH once (the fastest I've gone) that did NOT seem to go away when I pressed my legs against the top tube.

No, I ride to be safe...that safe ain't for me.

I could ride my motorcycle 10 highway miles at one time no hands, and even pass up car by just moving my knees.

I never quite got right at pedaling hands off because my toe-out posture puts a lot of (wasted) side force into the bike. I can twist a collet tightening stem 20 degrees before I'm 2 blocks away from the house. I don't even try anymore or worry about it. I got at least one hand on the bars for 35 years now.

I can and do ride hands free but only when I need too, i.e. taking off a jacket or arm warmers, changing glasses, tearing open a Clif bar, etc. While I feel relatively secure with hands off, I do try to make it as infrequent as possible.

I haven't noticed any difference as I've gotten older (63 now).

Rick / OCRR

Haven't checked for a while but on some of my bikes it is easy and on some of them it is a bit precarious. Sussed it out and it depends on weight distribution on the bikes. I have noticed that "IF" I get the weight back on the saddle- then it is fine. My old OCR that was a size too small and I would never chance it but Boreas and the TCR are fine.

I can, but seldom do.

I never ride with both hands off the bars and only do one handed riding when I grab for my water bottle. It's just too dangerous.

A lot depends on the bicycle IMO. Some are natural no handers, some others not so much.

I am not good at hands off riding and my main bike has a distinct shimmy which discourages me further.

Like most things, it depends on experience. If you practice, you'll get good at it and be able to do it safely - in the right circumstances.

I used to ride with someone who could descend at quite high speeds with his hands behind his back, steering with his hips. Good bike handler.

Depends on which bike I'm on.

The American Eagle/Nishiki is rock solid hands free.

The Specialized Hard Rock will do it, but I have to be very careful that the rear wheel alignment is correct.

The Bacchetta Giro 20 refuses to cooperate.

I do it sometimes, when I'm on the quiet streets of my neighborhood. I have a few bikes and its easier on some than with others.

Depends on the bike.

Cross bike is fine.

Road bikes are both ok provided I slide back on the saddle first.

MTB- Well, if my hands aren't on the bike, chances are good the rest of me isn't either..

[h=2]Are you comfortable riding with hands off bars?[/h]

no

nope.

I did it in my youth sometimes but I never did do it really well. Not going to risk doing it now.

Only when I cross the finish line and raise both my hands in the air.

Yes. Although I never quite regained the nerve I had before I broke my collarbone doing it in 7th grade.

I like riding no-hands on bikes I can.
Some older bikes, if the headset is a little loose or something, I wont risk it.
In Vermont I rode for a mile or two at a time with no hands, but only because of
super wide and smooth shoulders.

Anything more than a 7% grade with a camera in one hand and a recorder in the other makes me uncomfortable (GMR) .

I've gotten up to 25 on a downhill with no hands but I don't do that often, just for testing purposes.

I can ride for miles and miles with no hands. I often record my videos with no hands recording riders behind me. I can ride standing up with no hands and arms out to the sides.

I can even ride a for a bit with no hands on the tandem but Gina doesn't like it.

When will our unicycle riders check in?

I could do it for miles when I was 18. Now, I can do it for brief periods on flat roads but I sure ain't comfortable. And would never try taking a jacket off.

Two words, and you will be able to ride with no hands:

Lean Back

I have removed my jacket and rolled it up and put it in my jersey pocket with my hands off the handlebars, but that was only because there was a woman rider behind me, and I was showing off. I have decided I will never do anything like that, or anything that prevents me from quickly putting my hands back if necessary. Also, I don't do it if it is windy.

I view it as an important skill, because it lets me stretch my back/neck/shoulders. Also, if I'm tired, and a long gradual descent is coming up, I can just sit back and rest. It's just like taking a break on a bench, but the miles keep clicking off.

I can ride hands free if I want to but at 56 I have lost the need or desire to do this any more, I guess I am not "comfortable" as you asked. I read some articles on a few pros that stressed the skill of hands free riding as necessary and good for balance, with their need to eat on the fly and remove or add clothing I understand and will agree about it. I just don't need to eat or modify my kit as I ride any more, I stopped racing many years ago and I was so slow then I could have stopped and no one would have noticed it . it was fun when I was a kid and it was useless showing off too, I don't want to or need to prove anything now, I just love to be able to ride ....... with my hands on the bars.

Bill

I do it quite often on downhills, but it does depend on the bike, and the design of the fork and wheelbase.

The fork is the major factor, in my experience. I have a Fuji Touring circa 2000, and it had the standard fork on it. I had a lot of trouble keeping the bike on track from new, let alone almost never rode it no-hands unless doing 35km/h downhill. Last year I replaced the fork with a Surly one, and the transformation in handling and feel was remarkable.

My new Thorn touring bike has a similar fork on it, and it's much easier to ride no hands at a lower speed -- around 20km/h -- loaded and unloaded.

My rando and road bikes are less so. And I won't take the risk on the tandem.

Sitting back does help.