I can't bike standing up and I can't bike without using my hands. I used to be able to do both.

When I ride standing up my pedalling stroke is not smooth anymore. It's choppy and clunky. On the down stroke I bottom out. I see other riders and they're nice and smooth.

When I ride without using my hands I wobble back and forth. I'm able to do it for maybe 5 seconds at most. I used to be able to do it for minutes at a stretch.

Any tips to help me out?

I don't know how long ago you could bike without hands, but look at post # 2 in this thread. It might answer one of your questions.

https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus-50/130228-look-ma-no-hands.html

Thanks...that certainly helps. I didn't know the size and shape of the bike made a difference. Now what about that standing up part?

Might just be down to practice - also, what kind of a bike do you have? I find it more awkward to stand on my hybrid than on my roadie

yeah, geometry and bike type play a role. For standing think about pulling up your heels on the up stroke rather than pushing down with your weight on the pedal. It's more of a running motion rather than using your weight to force the pedals down.

I have a mountain. But I see people standing on their mountains all time time. I must be doing something wrong.

I wonder if you're in too low a gear when you stand. I find that if I don't shift before I stand, there isn't enough resistance to my weight and I sort of "drop" thru the stroke. If I go up a couple of gears, I get enought resistance that I can keep a rhythm going. I "LIKE" to think that I "Dance on the Pedals", and those that have seen me dance and have seen me ride, and survived did say that there were some things in common.

Seriously, try shifting before you stand, see if that helps smooth it out.

Steve W.

Not riding no hands may be a bike problem... headset or even something like rear wheel dishing.

I found out my rear wheel dishing was wrong and it kept me from riding no hands.

Changed the wheelset (had a set of sewups for the bike too) and it balances just fine now.

What changed between the time that you can and now???

OK....I'll try a higher gear.

About 25 years and 50 pounds.

I hear ya.

I, too, felt weird trying to ride standing up in the mountain bike, with the low gearing and all, but it feels much more natural on the roadie. Upshifting is a definite requirement, though.

A higher gear should do the trick. The standard technique on roadsters is to shift up a couple of gears before going into a standing position to crest short hills. Ideally, you should be able to "dance on the pedals", as they say.

It's very odd to me to see so many people buy 24-speed mountain bikes and never use the gears. I see many of the students here at the university actually get off and push while going up hills!

Ah I see... Just take it easy and give yourself 2-3 months of easy riding. It'll all come back... and the weight will disappear mysteriously...

The only thing that's happening is my thighs are getting stronger. My gut area has not changed at all.