Fett2oo5

I've noticed that some riders when they walk their bike hold very little, or don't hold their bars at all. Instead they walk next to their bike and hold it on the saddle. Not only does the front wheel stay straight, but they can even steer a little. All while only holding the saddle.

How are they able to do this?

The moment you let go of my bars the front wheel, if the bike is not plumb, will swing toward the side.
Is it because I have an older bike (2000'ish Klein) which has an older/different style head-tube? (to be honest I don't know what would be different about it, but I'm sure there is some difference.)


How are some bikes able to have a front wheel that doesn't easily swing from side to side, and are able to be walked by only holding onto the saddle?

wschruba

It's a secret.

(but really, the same principal [balance] that allows you to ride a bike no-handed, allows you to steer one from the saddle).

SylvainG

I do it all the time when walking in the hallway at work (can't ride there!). It depends on your fork but usually, you only have to make very small movement to make the front wheel turn.

Flounce

Could this be related to "trail"

Marcus_Ti

Yup, the term is "flop" actually.

https://calfeedesign.com/tech-papers...bike-handling/

Which depends on trail, which traces back to....a bunch of things. All frames do it to some degree, generally the more the trail the more the tendency to flop. And it tends to get worse as you load gear on that front axle.

practical

I learned this "trick" back in middle school and the other kids were amazed that the bike "knew" where to go. No trick, really. It's just holding the bike plumb and leaning it slightly to make it turn. A little practice is all it takes. BTW, I used to be able to ride without my hands but I can't do that anymore (I'm 62). Rode with a 75-year-old yesterday and he could easily without hands. I hate him. (not really)

Hardrock23

I've wondered too...I have to hold my bars or my bike is going down, quick. I usually keep something in front of the wheel (or around wheel & DT) when it's parked also, so it doesn't go down if its not placed just right. It's annoying.

HTupolev

The less trail on your steering, the less it steers in response to lean, making it easier to stabilize at low speeds without holding onto the bars.

Or maybe they're just better at pushing their bikes than you.

Fett2oo5

Thank you for the replies. I've thought of and experienced many of the situations you all have. However with my current bike, it is prone to "flop" more than any other I have seen. This is my exact situation as well.

If I don't hold the bars, and the bike begins to roll, they will turn.

Marcus_Ti

What frame size is that? Judging by headtube length that is probably a 50CM at most. That right there would explain the difference in experience between you and bike mates bikes.

Handling issues are more apparent on smaller frames, as smaller sizes aren't just scaled down big bikes....since things like wheels and tires (and these days fork offsets) are basically fixed in size.

RunForTheHills 

If it bothers you enough, you can put a stabilizer spring on the front wheel.

Hardrock23

It looks a bit bigger than a 50cm, but its hard for me to size bikes with fatter tubes. I'd guess 53-54cm or so.
I've got a 49cm myself. I didn't think of size being a factor but now I can see how it could be.

My bars turn even without movement of the bike first. After a couple falls and quite a bit more near falls, I've pretty much gotten used to it and know how to deal with it better now...still annoying though lol

fietsbob

Trail. is the distance on the ground, between the line down from the axle, and the line thru the angled head tube center.

they cross above the ground, so .. same HTA & Fork rake can have a different trail if the wheel radius changes.

Larger trail , wheel tends to stay straight.





....

Milton Keynes

I have no trouble rolling my bike by holding onto the seat and pushing it. Just a slight lean in the direction I want the bike to go and the front wheel follows. I just find it easier to push the bike by the seat rather than having to hold onto the bars.

Fett2oo5

Yea, I wish I could do that.