How can I ride 'no hands'?
08-06-18, 03:41 PM
#76
You gonna eat that?
Obviously an Eagle Scout.
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I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
08-06-18, 06:35 PM
#77
Cyclist
08-06-18, 06:38 PM
#78
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08-07-18, 02:56 AM
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So this is how I did it.
The simple one is that you need a bike that has straight wheels and tight pedals and cranks (if not it will easily unbalance you).
If all is good start riding, get up to a good speed (not to slow or to fast), stop paddling and let it ride out, while doing that try to let go of the handlebars (one hand at a time) and find your balance (with your butt) keep doing it until it gets easier. Do all of that but now try to paddle while letting go of your hands (one at a time).
The tip is to balance yourself with your butt and feet (while paddling your feet do the balancing).
Hope this helps
The simple one is that you need a bike that has straight wheels and tight pedals and cranks (if not it will easily unbalance you).
If all is good start riding, get up to a good speed (not to slow or to fast), stop paddling and let it ride out, while doing that try to let go of the handlebars (one hand at a time) and find your balance (with your butt) keep doing it until it gets easier. Do all of that but now try to paddle while letting go of your hands (one at a time).
The tip is to balance yourself with your butt and feet (while paddling your feet do the balancing).
Hope this helps
08-07-18, 06:12 AM
#81
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Mods, Please Help...
...if @JohnnyCyclist cannot learn this in the next 30 days, he should forfeit his screen name and become @JohnnyInternet. Just sayin'
08-07-18, 08:17 AM
#82
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Nah, the epic selfies on bikes are always worth the risk. I specially like the ones without my helmet while bombing down the mountain side with the peloton.
08-07-18, 08:44 AM
#83
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Buy a bike with a really big toe overlap gap, slack head tube geometry, long chain stays, etc....
I can ride no handed pretty easy on the CX race bike. The aero race bike, no way. Way too twitchy for a mere mortal.
I can ride no handed pretty easy on the CX race bike. The aero race bike, no way. Way too twitchy for a mere mortal.
08-07-18, 09:52 AM
#84
Cyclist
Hey man, I've seen people do it... I don't know you, so I can't assume how responsible you are. Glad to hear it was sarcasm...
08-07-18, 09:58 AM
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I'm trying to imply that it doesn't matter why he wants to ride no-hands, he just wanted to know how. You weren't supposed to be baited, maybe I should have made it more over the top. I'd have thought "adjusting the headphones" would be the trigger though.
08-07-18, 10:01 AM
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08-07-18, 10:24 AM
#87
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To answer the OP's OP: find a flat, traffic free, pothole free bit of road. On a still day.
Ride at a moderate speed in a slightly heavier gear than normal (I find it easier if I'm pushing rather than spinning).
Hands on tops.
Ride for a bit with just your finger tips on the tops.
When you get comfortable doing that, ride for a bit with just your index finger tips on the tops.
When you get comfortable with that, take your hands off completely.
Sit up straight, look down the road, not at your bars or your front wheel.
Keep practicing.
Ride at a moderate speed in a slightly heavier gear than normal (I find it easier if I'm pushing rather than spinning).
Hands on tops.
Ride for a bit with just your finger tips on the tops.
When you get comfortable doing that, ride for a bit with just your index finger tips on the tops.
When you get comfortable with that, take your hands off completely.
Sit up straight, look down the road, not at your bars or your front wheel.
Keep practicing.
08-07-18, 10:48 AM
#88
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No matter how many times I've tried, my 'no hands' attempts have failed. Is it that I prefer a 'stretched out' position, making it difficult to balance given my long long top tube and long stem - plus my preference for a large saddle-to-bar drop? Or is it simply a fear to be overcome? Any pointers appreciated.
08-07-18, 12:48 PM
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Through gravity I believe. Because of the trail the front of the bike has to lift a little to allow the front wheel to turn, it's pushing the front wheel straight by pushing down on it. With zero trail the steering would be so light it would probably be difficult with two hands on the handlebar
08-07-18, 01:25 PM
#90
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Through gravity I believe. Because of the trail the front of the bike has to lift a little to allow the front wheel to turn, it's pushing the front wheel straight by pushing down on it. With zero trail the steering would be so light it would probably be difficult with two hands on the handlebar
I don't think this is the way trail works. I am pretty sure that most bikes you are likely to encounter will do just the opposite: Gravity is actually in favor of the wheel being off-center. This becomes apparent when the bike is not moving, or moving very slowly. And I am not talking about the weight of the bars flopping the bike to one side, either. This would be true even with the bars removed, because the front of the bike drops slightly when the wheel is turned off-center. I think you would need a negative trail in order for gravity to favor a centered position.
The centering effects of trail require the bike be moving.
At least that is how I understand it.
08-07-18, 02:08 PM
#91
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In practical terms of "how does trail work" in riding no-hands, more trail makes the steering slower, more stable at high speeds and easier to control with hips (no-hands).
I hadn't thought of it before, but it's an interesting question from Stadjer. I think that trail itself will not intrinsically cause the front of the bike to rise when the wheel is turned, but fork offset which is related to trail, would. Because with a straight fork, in line with the steering tube and with no offset, there is trail but the angle from the contact to the crown wouldn't change (equals no change in how high it is). In the other case, with an offset then the angle would change. When the angle changes, and the length is the same, then the distance from the ground would change.
I hadn't thought of it before, but it's an interesting question from Stadjer. I think that trail itself will not intrinsically cause the front of the bike to rise when the wheel is turned, but fork offset which is related to trail, would. Because with a straight fork, in line with the steering tube and with no offset, there is trail but the angle from the contact to the crown wouldn't change (equals no change in how high it is). In the other case, with an offset then the angle would change. When the angle changes, and the length is the same, then the distance from the ground would change.
08-07-18, 03:57 PM
#93
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08-07-18, 06:36 PM
#94
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In practical terms of "how does trail work" in riding no-hands, more trail makes the steering slower, more stable at high speeds and easier to control with hips (no-hands).
I hadn't thought of it before, but it's an interesting question from Stadjer. I think that trail itself will not intrinsically cause the front of the bike to rise when the wheel is turned, but fork offset which is related to trail, would. Because with a straight fork, in line with the steering tube and with no offset, there is trail but the angle from the contact to the crown wouldn't change (equals no change in how high it is). In the other case, with an offset then the angle would change. When the angle changes, and the length is the same, then the distance from the ground would change.
I hadn't thought of it before, but it's an interesting question from Stadjer. I think that trail itself will not intrinsically cause the front of the bike to rise when the wheel is turned, but fork offset which is related to trail, would. Because with a straight fork, in line with the steering tube and with no offset, there is trail but the angle from the contact to the crown wouldn't change (equals no change in how high it is). In the other case, with an offset then the angle would change. When the angle changes, and the length is the same, then the distance from the ground would change.
08-07-18, 07:03 PM
#95
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... I just tried it, and I think you're right it drops when you turn the wheel sideways. But such a small amount about a mm or less, it's hard to be sure. I think the tire curvature has something to do with it.
Last edited by wphamilton; 08-07-18 at 07:13 PM.
08-07-18, 07:06 PM
#96
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I was thinking of having a contest to see who can ride the fastest no-hands for 15 seconds, while taking a picture or video of the speedometer.
Good idea ?
I've probably done 25+ mph downhill without even thinking about, while having a snack.
Good idea ?
I've probably done 25+ mph downhill without even thinking about, while having a snack.
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08-07-18, 07:22 PM
#97
Non omnino gravis
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08-07-18, 07:35 PM
#98
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For the record, I was traveling thru GA and ate an entire Waffle House chicken fried steak waffle in heavy traffic while steering with my knee. Took 40 miles. Then 30 minutes at the next rest stop.
08-07-18, 09:14 PM
#99
Non omnino gravis
HOW DID YOU KNOW ABOUT MY SQUIRREL!?!
His name is Randy, and he lives in the seat tube. My wife is sure he's in there, because as she says, "Hills come up, and you don't slow down. It's cheating."
Randy works for peanuts. <ba-dum-tiss>
His name is Randy, and he lives in the seat tube. My wife is sure he's in there, because as she says, "Hills come up, and you don't slow down. It's cheating."
Randy works for peanuts. <ba-dum-tiss>
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08-07-18, 09:38 PM
#100
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Sorry, I tried to let one go but couldn't.
