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Track stand on a freewheel.

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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

Track stand on a freewheel.

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Old 10-19-08 | 08:44 PM
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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?
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Old 10-19-08 | 08:46 PM
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do it uphill
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Old 10-19-08 | 08:48 PM
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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.
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Old 10-19-08 | 08:51 PM
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*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.
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Old 10-19-08 | 08:53 PM
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You need to use the brake.
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Old 10-19-08 | 08:54 PM
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I'm a newb at trying this... I kinda ratchet my cranks to crawl forward slowly.
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Old 10-19-08 | 08:58 PM
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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.
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Old 10-19-08 | 09:25 PM
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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!
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Old 10-19-08 | 09:26 PM
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Bounce off the front brake to get the backwards motion, rinse and repeat.
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Old 10-19-08 | 10:09 PM
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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.
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Old 10-20-08 | 01:18 AM
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Originally Posted by supercub
You need to use the brake.

not true.

on my road bike with my hands on the hoods i can jus push the bike back with my arms/body and crank forward.

or lightly feather the brake.
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Old 10-20-08 | 01:29 AM
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Originally Posted by supercub
You need to use the brake.
not true
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Old 10-20-08 | 01:39 AM
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Originally Posted by jonestr
not true
Okay, let me rephrase that.

One approach is to use the brake.
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Old 10-20-08 | 02:06 AM
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I find it very hard to believe you're taking this question seriously.
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Old 10-20-08 | 04:57 AM
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Originally Posted by jussik
I find it very hard to believe you're taking this question seriously.
I find it easy.You can either trackstand it rolling it back downhill or "bounce" it off the front brake.
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Old 10-20-08 | 09:47 AM
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Give up, it's impossible. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.
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Old 10-20-08 | 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Yoshi
Give up, it's impossible. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.
It is not impossible, i've seen it done before, that is why i'm trying to learn..

Thanks for all the input from other members.
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Old 10-20-08 | 09:59 AM
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Why bother? It's so easy getting in and out of straps on a freewheel....
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Old 10-20-08 | 10:46 AM
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/\ this
when i ride my singlespeed i like to stand at the lights since i have big old platforms i can jump right back on and go
 
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Old 10-20-08 | 10:56 AM
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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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Old 10-20-08 | 10:56 AM
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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.
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Old 10-20-08 | 01:24 PM
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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
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Old 10-20-08 | 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by djembob02
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!
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Old 10-20-08 | 01:41 PM
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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
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Old 10-20-08 | 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Gyeswho
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
not to get off topic that bike is ****ing beautiful...
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