Trackstand tips?
08-04-13 | 07:21 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 30
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From: Toronto, ON
Trackstand tips?
Hey everyone,
I've had a fixie for about a month now and even though I feel more confident on the bike, I still can't get a feel for trackstands. Closest I can get is a miraculous balancing for all of three seconds followed by a gradual creeping forward. Every time I start to inch backwards just the tiniest bit, I lose it immediately. Can anyone offer up tips on how I can finally wait at red lights without unstrapping?
I've had a fixie for about a month now and even though I feel more confident on the bike, I still can't get a feel for trackstands. Closest I can get is a miraculous balancing for all of three seconds followed by a gradual creeping forward. Every time I start to inch backwards just the tiniest bit, I lose it immediately. Can anyone offer up tips on how I can finally wait at red lights without unstrapping?
08-04-13 | 07:44 PM
#2
Veteran Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
08-04-13 | 08:37 PM
#7
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Joined: Jan 2011
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Perhaps practice stationary with something to lean against beside you, find 'the sweet spot' and hold it as long as possible. After youve become a master at finding that spot you can practice rolling slowly into a track stand.
08-04-13 | 08:53 PM
#8
Fresh Garbage
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,190
Likes: 30
From: Los Angeles
Bikes: N+1
The more upright you are the easier it is, so it will help if you can manage to lean your weight back. Try doing it in a driveway with an incline slope or anything inclined. From there you can work to flat surfaces.
By turning the wheel so much to one side you are taking advantage of counter steering to keep the bike up (same as while in motion but exaggerated). So you can move your weight around or just tilt the bike one way or the other to move forward/backward.
And this. Once you get it you can do it on any bike.
By turning the wheel so much to one side you are taking advantage of counter steering to keep the bike up (same as while in motion but exaggerated). So you can move your weight around or just tilt the bike one way or the other to move forward/backward.
And this. Once you get it you can do it on any bike.
Last edited by hairnet; 08-04-13 at 09:01 PM.
08-04-13 | 09:26 PM
#10
Goes to 11.
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,548
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From: Wichita, KS, USA
Bikes: 2015 Soma Double Cross
I like to stand with my thighs hugging the nose of the saddle, and put my chest directly over the steer tube. A slightly slacker chain smooths out the movement of the wheel when you make corrections. Also, correct with your ankles, not your legs.
08-05-13 | 05:36 AM
#11
Grumpy Old Bugga
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 9
From: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Bikes: Hillbrick, Malvern Star Oppy S2, Europa (R.I.P.)
A month or so of trying isn't much, even though some bas****... er people manage it on the first session. You may be too tense, you may be doing it wrong, you may be wearing the wrong undies. It's just a matter of trying (though knowing how helps).
The other thing to realise is that some people just can't for reasons that are beyond your control. Personally, I seem to be left footed or something because I always turn the wheel the wrong way - had the same trouble in the army with drill. That's not a biggie though it does mean I go into a trackstand attempt a little anxious which doesn't help. Of greater importance though, is that I suffer a condition that makes balance a bit of an issue, and that's something I've only just discovered - all these years I've been wondering why I can't do stuff others can and it's partly because I've got bi-polar.
The biggest tool you have though is the subborness to keep trying. I used to play bike polo with a bloke who had all sorts of great skills and I asked him about it one day. It turns out, he spent at least 3 hours every day practicing. No flamin' wonder he was good (and also unusual, most of us don't have that sort of dedication)
The other thing to realise is that some people just can't for reasons that are beyond your control. Personally, I seem to be left footed or something because I always turn the wheel the wrong way - had the same trouble in the army with drill. That's not a biggie though it does mean I go into a trackstand attempt a little anxious which doesn't help. Of greater importance though, is that I suffer a condition that makes balance a bit of an issue, and that's something I've only just discovered - all these years I've been wondering why I can't do stuff others can and it's partly because I've got bi-polar.
The biggest tool you have though is the subborness to keep trying. I used to play bike polo with a bloke who had all sorts of great skills and I asked him about it one day. It turns out, he spent at least 3 hours every day practicing. No flamin' wonder he was good (and also unusual, most of us don't have that sort of dedication)
08-05-13 | 06:47 AM
#12
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Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 30
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From: Toronto, ON
+1
Yeah, I think I'm in a little over my abilities if I'm trying to just jump into rolling into trackstands. I'll take it down a notch and try and progress.
The driveway suggestion makes a lot of sense, I'll give it a shot! When it comes to that rocking back and forth motion, I should be controlling that with my weight as opposed to my legs, right? Should my legs be flexed or more relaxed in the position?
I've been trying to find posts that cover which body positions provide the greatest stability, you've nailed it, thank you!!
A very inspiring post; you've motivated me to go at this even harder.
The more upright you are the easier it is, so it will help if you can manage to lean your weight back. Try doing it in a driveway with an incline slope or anything inclined. From there you can work to flat surfaces.
By turning the wheel so much to one side you are taking advantage of counter steering to keep the bike up (same as while in motion but exaggerated). So you can move your weight around or just tilt the bike one way or the other to move forward/backward.
By turning the wheel so much to one side you are taking advantage of counter steering to keep the bike up (same as while in motion but exaggerated). So you can move your weight around or just tilt the bike one way or the other to move forward/backward.
A month or so of trying isn't much, even though some bas****... er people manage it on the first session. You may be too tense, you may be doing it wrong, you may be wearing the wrong undies. It's just a matter of trying (though knowing how helps).
The other thing to realise is that some people just can't for reasons that are beyond your control. Personally, I seem to be left footed or something because I always turn the wheel the wrong way - had the same trouble in the army with drill. That's not a biggie though it does mean I go into a trackstand attempt a little anxious which doesn't help. Of greater importance though, is that I suffer a condition that makes balance a bit of an issue, and that's something I've only just discovered - all these years I've been wondering why I can't do stuff others can and it's partly because I've got bi-polar.
The biggest tool you have though is the stubbornness to keep trying. I used to play bike polo with a bloke who had all sorts of great skills and I asked him about it one day. It turns out, he spent at least 3 hours every day practicing. No flamin' wonder he was good (and also unusual, most of us don't have that sort of dedication)
The other thing to realise is that some people just can't for reasons that are beyond your control. Personally, I seem to be left footed or something because I always turn the wheel the wrong way - had the same trouble in the army with drill. That's not a biggie though it does mean I go into a trackstand attempt a little anxious which doesn't help. Of greater importance though, is that I suffer a condition that makes balance a bit of an issue, and that's something I've only just discovered - all these years I've been wondering why I can't do stuff others can and it's partly because I've got bi-polar.
The biggest tool you have though is the stubbornness to keep trying. I used to play bike polo with a bloke who had all sorts of great skills and I asked him about it one day. It turns out, he spent at least 3 hours every day practicing. No flamin' wonder he was good (and also unusual, most of us don't have that sort of dedication)
08-05-13 | 09:20 AM
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,059
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, CA
^ loled.
Good luck, OP. As others have said: you'll get it with practice.
Oh, also, if you're just learning, I would suggest learning to point your wheel to the right, rather than the left. That way, should you ever actually go to a track (not likely based on your username
), you already know the proper way to track stand... on a track.
I made this mistake and now have to learn to do ambidextrous track strands. :/
Good luck, OP. As others have said: you'll get it with practice.
Oh, also, if you're just learning, I would suggest learning to point your wheel to the right, rather than the left. That way, should you ever actually go to a track (not likely based on your username
), you already know the proper way to track stand... on a track. I made this mistake and now have to learn to do ambidextrous track strands. :/
08-05-13 | 01:32 PM
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn, NY
^ loled.
Good luck, OP. As others have said: you'll get it with practice.
Oh, also, if you're just learning, I would suggest learning to point your wheel to the right, rather than the left. That way, should you ever actually go to a track (not likely based on your username ), you already know the proper way to track stand... on a track.
I made this mistake and now have to learn to do ambidextrous track strands. :/
Good luck, OP. As others have said: you'll get it with practice.
Oh, also, if you're just learning, I would suggest learning to point your wheel to the right, rather than the left. That way, should you ever actually go to a track (not likely based on your username
), you already know the proper way to track stand... on a track. I made this mistake and now have to learn to do ambidextrous track strands. :/
08-05-13 | 01:40 PM
#18
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON
Hey now, *sips tea* I like to think my skills on a bicycle *sips tea* are pretty alright. *buttons up flannel shirt and strokes beard*
Solid point, thanks for the luck!
^ loled.
Good luck, OP. As others have said: you'll get it with practice.
Oh, also, if you're just learning, I would suggest learning to point your wheel to the right, rather than the left. That way, should you ever actually go to a track (not likely based on your username ), you already know the proper way to track stand... on a track.
I made this mistake and now have to learn to do ambidextrous track strands. :/
Good luck, OP. As others have said: you'll get it with practice.
Oh, also, if you're just learning, I would suggest learning to point your wheel to the right, rather than the left. That way, should you ever actually go to a track (not likely based on your username
), you already know the proper way to track stand... on a track. I made this mistake and now have to learn to do ambidextrous track strands. :/
08-05-13 | 02:30 PM
#20
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: seattle, too many links
Bikes: fixed gear recumbent trike
he's right, TV tech makes it mirror image so not to confuse the northern hemisphere watchers
08-05-13 | 02:34 PM
#21
Veteran Racer
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From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
08-05-13 | 03:43 PM
#23
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From: San Francisco, CA
^ I was waiting for someone to post that one.
08-05-13 | 03:58 PM
#24
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From: PHL
Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block
