oxologic

Hey people, wanna share how you people do your trackstand, how you learnt it and how long can you last?

I learnt it not too long ago, a few weeks ago. My current record is around 1.5 minutes. I'm rather happy with that since it is more than enough for me to stop and wait for the next green light. I practised a whole lot, with my right foot in front, the wheel turning towards my left. I think the only way to get it right is to keep trying and working on your own sense of balance. Probably what you all can try is to stand on one leg and do it till it becomes second nature, being able to stand on one leg with eyes closed.

Replies people?

lotek 

I haven't really mastered it yet, but I'm
working on it (got to about 20 seconds).
I found THIS site really helpful, its a great site for all sorts
of bicycle related information, not just trackstands!
Marty

RonH

I'd rather put my foot on the ground. Falling at an intersection can create quite a spectacle.

velo

Well, the trackstand comes from track racing...and since I'm a track racer...Thank god I'm not a match sprinter, that's all I have to say.

I can actually do it half decently, but I turn my wheel the wrong way. I turn it to the left, and keep my right foot forward, which I think is the most comfortable for me (you, too, oxologic!). I must say, it's MUCH easier doing it on a track bike, since you can back pedal and keep it in a constant rocking motion, but I can do it on my road bike also for a little while.

If I ever become a match sprinter, I better work on it...

orguasch

He he he
It sure gonna be a good spectacle if you fall on your side, I tried doing that I think the longest I can is about 10 seconds and then I will have to do it the Old fashion way which is to stand on my feet and way for the traffic light to turn Green

MichaelW

When my trackstands go wrong, I have plenty of time for my feet to reach the ground. Maybe with clipless pedals you cant, but with toe-clips, no problem.
Getting a jump at a green light is a useful safety technique. I hate being overtaken as Im trying to start.

Dutchy

I have never tried to do a trackstand. I usually just stop at the light and take a break, drink some water, make eye contact with the car behind me, check to see if they are turning or going straight ahead. Some of our light sequences can last for 3 minutes and there are 35 sets and 2 trains on my commute so I just chill and wait. I normally have to stop for ~12 sets.

I can do a brief trackstand at stop signs for about .002 of a second.

CHEERS.

Mark

Joe Gardner

I learned to track stand on a full suspension mtn bike. Once I moved to my road bike, I have no problems holding a track stand for 3 - 4 minutes. I have yet to time myself.

I was once in my truck behind an older guy track standing his bike. I didn’t think anything of it, until he grabbed his water bottle, took a swig, and put it back!

orguasch

whoa, that is something,, imagine I can't even last 10seconds and this guy your describing, he nust be sleeping on his bike then.....

bikerider

I can trackstand for a while. I have my right foot forward and the wheel pointed to the left. I'm starting to practice the other way now.

With a fixed-gear bike, you can do a trackstand with no hands. I did a double-take when I saw a courier doing this once!

poululla

This sounds a bit like a "how far can you pee" contest, but I can trackstand almost ad infinitum. The trick I found is that in doing a trackstand you never really stand stil. You have a constant rocking motion, with the wheel turned right at approx 1 o clock. The better you get, the less rocking forward and aft is required. I also choose a slightly upward slanting piece of road (the smallest will do) at a traffic light, if there is any. But remember, this takes concentration, and at traffic lights you should be paying attention to other things really....
Here is my final tip, practice on your lawn at home, preferably the back lawn.....

Good luck

oxologic

Hey guys, I think that infinity won't be able to describe how long you can trackstand right? By then, your whole body would have fatigued so much you'll be shaking, thus losing any balance left of you.

I think that being able to do a trackstand for 5 minutes would be excellent, perfect, whatever! Let's work together for that timing, has the kinda show-off feeling eh? Hopefully I can be able to do that pretty soon.

jmlee

I have always wanted to learn a trackstand (never know when it'll save your life ).

But, my toes overlap my front wheel by just enough to prevent turning the wheel enough. I have heard that you're supposed to turn wheel left when the right foot is forward (which is where I get in trouble, since the back of the wheel colides with my foot), but some have said they do it the other way around.

Any hints?

Cheers.

oxologic

As I have read somewhere else, whatever is right, is right for you my dear.

I always have this problem, that is when I incline towards my right, I can't back right up. So my wheel is always turned left since if I turn it right, I'll fall to the right. Whatever it is, I don't encounter the problem of the front wheel touching my toes. Probably it is due to the size of the bike that is too small, that's why it is touching your toes. However, if there is no problem turning your wheels right with your right foot in front or vice versa, I feel you should stick to it and try to perfect it to the best you can.

It will feel kinda shaky and all, but it becomes easier and easier, with less turning of the wheel, thus a better balance.

Don't know about you guys, but I do my trackstand standing, haven't tried the tracksit yet. Next, do you guys feel weird with your butts facing motorists and other people?

velo

Nah, I do the tracksit. Again, don't follow my example when it comes to this. I don't stand, and I don't turn my wheel the right way...oops...