Track stand on a freewheel.
#1
Thread Starter
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Track stand on a freewheel.
I've been practicing with trying to track stand on my singlespeed freewheel. My attempts had been unsuccessful. Any tips on practicing? How long did it take you to master the track stand on a freewheel?
#3
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Joined: Jul 2008
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For me, I find it easiest to lean the bike slightly (more so if on flat ground). It's easiest on a hill (or slope), just position yourself perpendicular to the hill, lean your bike slightly up the hill and position yourself upright.
#4
*Even the slightest slopes make it much much easier
*Feathering the brakes can help bounce the bike back underneath you if you are on a flat section
I can only do it on streets with a pretty pronounced crown though. I just roll forward at a ridiculously slow pace instead.
*Feathering the brakes can help bounce the bike back underneath you if you are on a flat section
I can only do it on streets with a pretty pronounced crown though. I just roll forward at a ridiculously slow pace instead.
#7
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From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
On a crowned street, I'll turn the front wheel up hill, put the pedals at 3 and 9 o'clock, and ratchet the pedals into the hill. I used to be able to do a freewheel trackstand all day until I got a fixed gear and learned how to do a proper trackstand and now I can't do the freewheel variety very well any more.
#8
Brake chatter on CX forks
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Toronto, ON
Bikes: '04 Kona Jake, '05 Kona Stuff, '07 Specialized Langster
I, too, first learned to trackstand on a freewheel. This site proved to be very helpful to me https://www.teamestrogen.com/content....asa_trackstand
One skill that wasn't mentioned in that article, is being able to pull the bike backwards. To do that you hold a brake (front or rear, choice comes from personal preference), shift your weight back, and as much as possible, prevent the bike from moving forward as well, hence holding a brake. Then with your legs and arms pull the bike towards/underneath you, simultaneously releasing the brake. I find that very helpful when the incline isn't helping you to roll backwards, or if there isn't one.
Once you learn to trackstand on a freewheel, and learn to control the back and forth movement of the bike beneath you, doing the same on a fixed gear almost feels like cheating: It's SOOO much easier!
One skill that wasn't mentioned in that article, is being able to pull the bike backwards. To do that you hold a brake (front or rear, choice comes from personal preference), shift your weight back, and as much as possible, prevent the bike from moving forward as well, hence holding a brake. Then with your legs and arms pull the bike towards/underneath you, simultaneously releasing the brake. I find that very helpful when the incline isn't helping you to roll backwards, or if there isn't one.
Once you learn to trackstand on a freewheel, and learn to control the back and forth movement of the bike beneath you, doing the same on a fixed gear almost feels like cheating: It's SOOO much easier!
#10
kinda useless.
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: East Lansing, MI
Bikes: Tommaso Augusta, Raleigh Sirocco, Raleigh Sovereign, Specialized Hard Rock
if you don't have a hill, come to a stop and put your back leg on the front wheel and use that to push the bike backwards and achieve balance. not practical, but it allows you to be tarck on your freewheel bike.
#11
#17
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#20
I can tell you that I don't put a foot down during my entire commute on any of my bikes.
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I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
#21
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Blo-no, IL
Bikes: 2005 Specialized Hardrock Sport, 1970's Miyata Liberty ala fixed gear
On my mountain bike I find it easier to track stand with the cranks in a vertical position most my weight being put on the pedal at the bottom of the stroke, and using my other leg to keep my balance.
#22
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: New Orleans
Bikes: Cannondale Road Tandem, Rodbikes Belt Drive Fixed Gear
I just have to chime in on this. I can trackstand my 3 person tandem without any problem as long as there is at least a very small incline. My stokers have to stay quite still, but I basically stand just like I do on my fixie. It has taken a bit of practice and I have been riding fixie for a couple years, but it certainly do-able. The hill will allow you to effectively back-pedal as if you were on a fixed gear bike
#23
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
I just have to chime in on this. I can trackstand my 3 person tandem without any problem as long as there is at least a very small incline. My stokers have to stay quite still, but I basically stand just like I do on my fixie. It has taken a bit of practice and I have been riding fixie for a couple years, but it certainly do-able. The hill will allow you to effectively back-pedal as if you were on a fixed gear bike
Awesome. I'd love to see this.... I can almost, but not quite trackstand my MTB-trail-a-bike with my daughter on the back. I'm going to keep at it!
#24
Utilitarian Boy
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Bronx, NY
Bikes: Check the sig to find out
I trackstood with this load. All you have to do is find a slight slope on the ground and position yourself on it. As you get better with it you'll find you don't need to use your brakes as much because you'll know how to move yourself
#25
takin' it to the streets
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Denv-arrrgghhh
Bikes: 1999 Kona Kapu; late 70's/early 80's Araya road bike/commuter bike.
not to get off topic that bike is ****ing beautiful...




