Down hill with feet off pedals (FG)
#1
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Down hill with feet off pedals (FG)
Ever done it? Do tell.
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Back when I rode fixed wheel everywhere, including some fairly mountainous areas (by eastern standards) I've been tempted, but passed. I feel it's a control issue since without a foot on the pedal it's difficult (or impossible) to ensure that I can keep the bike's plane lined up with my body's.
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#4
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I would only do it if you have brakes or prepared to jam your foot in between your rear wheel and rear triangle near the brake bridge.
Otherwise, if you are doing this brakeless for some bad reason, you need to first match both feet to the cadence of the cranks by pedaling in the air before attempting to reclip or get back in your pedal cages.
Otherwise, if you are doing this brakeless for some bad reason, you need to first match both feet to the cadence of the cranks by pedaling in the air before attempting to reclip or get back in your pedal cages.
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Sometimes, never on a particularly rough descent/road surface though and only if I've got a brake. A fella in work does it all the time and holds onto the saddle rails and crouches into an aero tuck, says it's more stable than grabbing the handlebars. Though at the rate my sphincter twitches while watching him do it says otherwise.
Last edited by Co1Ev; 09-28-16 at 02:06 PM.
#8
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I have done it once on a group ride with a very long descent.
48-16 gearing and all the roadies passed me going down so I unclipped and coasted in an effort to keep up. I have very good brakes.
It was a little awkward but fun. There was a regroup at the bottom and they all started laughing as I came around the final turn with my feet in the air and the pedals flailing wildly.
I wouldn't hesitate to do it again if needed. Roadies get to coast so why not me?
-Tim-
48-16 gearing and all the roadies passed me going down so I unclipped and coasted in an effort to keep up. I have very good brakes.
It was a little awkward but fun. There was a regroup at the bottom and they all started laughing as I came around the final turn with my feet in the air and the pedals flailing wildly.
I wouldn't hesitate to do it again if needed. Roadies get to coast so why not me?
-Tim-
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Check out this dude with crazy-good bike handling skills (and a crazy-strong desire to win):
https://www.******.com/r/bicycling/c...he_real_enemy/
(I see BikeForums strips the website's name from my link... just replace the asterisks with R - E - double D - I - T)
He unclips on a steep descent to keep his legs from slowing him down, and to let him go into Superman posture for minimal drag. It works, but he's brakeless, so he has to slow the bike with his heels on the rear tire before he can clip back in.
https://www.******.com/r/bicycling/c...he_real_enemy/
(I see BikeForums strips the website's name from my link... just replace the asterisks with R - E - double D - I - T)
He unclips on a steep descent to keep his legs from slowing him down, and to let him go into Superman posture for minimal drag. It works, but he's brakeless, so he has to slow the bike with his heels on the rear tire before he can clip back in.
#10
Fresh Garbage
I did it once or twice. It is terrible. You loose a tremendous amount of control so you better hope there are no hard turn.
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I saw dude riding a red, white and blue Land Shark track bike on RAGBRAI last year and he had pegs on the rear for just this reason, never got to see him descend though.....
It was such a unique bike I can't believe I haven't seen it posted somewhere online yet.
It was such a unique bike I can't believe I haven't seen it posted somewhere online yet.
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I saw a homeless guy do this once (I assume that his freewheel didn't coast anymore), and of course, his bike had no brakes whatsoever. He hit some bushes at about 25 mph, which was probably his only viable choice for stopping.
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Never take your feet off the pedals...
#16
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You guys see that video on Instagram where the guy supermans on his saddle to pass a bunch of roadies? LOL
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On my list of "Really Stupid Things to Do on a Bicycle"
Probably won't get around to trying it though.
I can spin up to about 30mph on my fixed road bike on the downhills and after that, I apply brakes.
Probably won't get around to trying it though.
I can spin up to about 30mph on my fixed road bike on the downhills and after that, I apply brakes.
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Yeah, lots of times. Not always just hills, sometimes on flats too. It's really not that hard to get your feet back into cages. Clipless on the other hand, haven't tried.
For cages, you just gotta get your feet on the opposite side of the pedal. Once your feet are on there, you're legs are spinning in rhythm with the pedals, and you just slowly turn them over with your toe and wiggle in.
For cages, you just gotta get your feet on the opposite side of the pedal. Once your feet are on there, you're legs are spinning in rhythm with the pedals, and you just slowly turn them over with your toe and wiggle in.
#22
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Done it a few times, and done the superman with my naval on the seat.
You're down to just three contact points when you do that, and two of them pivot freely on greased ball bearings.
Try doing it, and then try riding with no hands. You have a great deal more control riding no-hands than you do riding no-feet.
You're down to just three contact points when you do that, and two of them pivot freely on greased ball bearings.
Try doing it, and then try riding with no hands. You have a great deal more control riding no-hands than you do riding no-feet.
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No, and no plans to.
Ben
Ben
#24
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^^King Louie!
The king of the swingers! The jungle VIP!!!
The coolest...
The king of the swingers! The jungle VIP!!!
The coolest...
Last edited by TimothyH; 09-28-16 at 06:22 AM.
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One Time...
... at gentle speed on a flat road, meant to illustrate the "no coasting" description I was giving a fellow rider.
On a descent? ...Um, would not do.
On a descent? ...Um, would not do.