I tend to sway from side to side alot in the bike lane and most of the time its when im climbing and on some what dangerous roads where to much of a move could result in me causing an accident. Ive noticed different hand positions on the handle bars affect my balance. I move back and forth most when im working out my hardest. Any body got any tips?

thanks

B

Are you well balanced fore-aft? Do you feel like you're holding yourself up with your hands?

Have you gone to a shopping centre parking lot after hours and practiced riding in a straight line along the parking lines?

It could be bad position on the bike fore/aft like mentioned, high saddle causing you to rock your hips too much, or maybe you just need to work on your form. can you pedal out of the saddle okay?

This thread will perturb umd if there is any mention of waterbottle usage exacerbating balance difficulties.

Do you have inner ear issues??

I ride in a group with a guy who does...He looks like he's riding on rollers

It's funny at first, but then you realize how dangerous it is.

For him position is also an issue...Make sure you aren't too far forward and that your bars aren't too narrow...

You mention this happening more often when climbing. Assuming you are seated:
1 Try moving the seat back a little.(just 1cm)
2 If you have an easier gear available, use it. (try not to mash as much to get through the pedal stroke)
3 consider a Q-Ring for the front chainring.

Balance is the key to efficiency

You're mashing. Consider using a lower gear, and concentrate on pedaling in circles.

You probably have a weak core. Work on strenghtening it.

Look farther up the road. Don't stare 20 feet away, look all the way up the road. That will give you more time to react to small obstacles.

Practice being smooth. It takes time, keep at it.

Loosen your grip on the handlebars.

buy some rollers.

Lots of possible stuff here, but staying quiet in the upper body when pedaling is key. You shouldn't move much...

Get Wii Fit, practice your balance. Strengthen your core while you're at it.

Do you wobble if you coast?
Practice riding with your hands on top of the bars with all the fingers loose. Don't grab the bar and pull with each pedal-stroke to compensate for lobsided pedaling motion.

this

And I predict this.

I fail to see how that's going to make someone ride more smoothly.





Um, I'm sorry, what was the question again?

I don't remember.

OMG.

Just ride. Cycling is a skill.

??

Im going to work on this,

thanks guys.

This can be a harsh group at times.

Basically you're going to want to change things around and do something different in order to get different results. I recommend having someone videotape you while riding. Directly from behind and from in front is good. Then compare with video of a pro rider from directly behind or in front and you'll find your answer.

Good luck!

BTW - I remember seeing someone saying something so succint and perfect that sums it all up. Something to the effect that a bike in motion is in perfect balance; it goes in a straight line perfectly by itself. It's the human on top that makes it change directions or makes it crash. I've seen this illustrated hilariously with motorcycle racing. A guy wiggle-waggles coming out of a corner and crashes. The bike gets up and continues down the straight all by itself!

^^^

I know I've said that but I'm sure I'm not the only one. I remember jumping off bikes as a kid and waching them just continue on until they lost momentum and started to tip over. This is also why riding with no hands works.

OP, there may be a left/right imbalance in your pedalstroke. I watched people from behind that flicked their knee out on one side every revolution, and they tended to wobble a bit.

Also, you may be focusing too close in front of you. As with driving, you should be looking much further up the road than right ahead of your front wheel.

Not a motorcycle, and not exactly a straightaway, but it's a good one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qBihxyA19k

Good comments in the thread, too. I can't ride no-handed, but I haven't had wobbling problems going uphill, either.