How can I ride 'no hands'?
#1
Poseur Extraordinaire
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 341
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
How can I ride 'no hands'?
No matter how many times I've tried, my 'no hands' attempts have failed. Is it that I prefer a 'stretched out' position, making it difficult to balance given my long long top tube and long stem - plus my preference for a large saddle-to-bar drop? Or is it simply a fear to be overcome? Any pointers appreciated.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minas Ithil
Posts: 9,337
Mentioned: 66 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2432 Post(s)
Liked 638 Times
in
395 Posts
No idea. I have no memory of not being able to ride with no hands. I can pull off a wind vest or arm warmers and stick them in my jersey pocket while pedaling at a normal pace and I've seen people having trouble grabbing a water bottle.
This might help
This might help
#3
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times
in
1,286 Posts
Riding no handed is a stupid thing to do, why would anybody want to do that ??
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Posts: 2,667
Bikes: 2023 Canyon Aeoroad CF SL, 2015 Trek Emonda SLR, 2002 Litespeed Classic, 2005 Bianchi Pista, Some BikesDirect MTB I never ride.
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 647 Post(s)
Liked 135 Times
in
88 Posts
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SW Fl.
Posts: 5,604
Bikes: Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1063 Post(s)
Liked 771 Times
in
499 Posts
#6
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times
in
1,286 Posts
Things like cornering, braking, reading the traffic, riding on ice or snow, hill climbing, riding over rough terrain etc are bike skillz, riding no handed is just for goofing around and showing off, and it's a really foolish thing to do on the road when other traffic is around.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Posts: 2,667
Bikes: 2023 Canyon Aeoroad CF SL, 2015 Trek Emonda SLR, 2002 Litespeed Classic, 2005 Bianchi Pista, Some BikesDirect MTB I never ride.
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 647 Post(s)
Liked 135 Times
in
88 Posts
Different bikes (and wheels) react differently. On my twitchy road bikes, anything more than a light crosswind, I get nervous if I let go of the bars for an extended period, or until I get that first unexpected shove to the side. But on my gravel bike I can ride forever no handed if I want to, due to the fatter tires, lower pressure, longer wheelbase, etc.
If you want to practice, go faster. Sounds counter-intuitive, but the higher the speed, the more the gyroscopic effect will keep the wheel from wobbling.
If you want to practice, go faster. Sounds counter-intuitive, but the higher the speed, the more the gyroscopic effect will keep the wheel from wobbling.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 186
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 95 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Things like cornering, braking, reading the traffic, riding on ice or snow, hill climbing, riding over rough terrain etc are bike skillz, riding no handed is just for goofing around and showing off, and it's a really foolish thing to do on the road when other traffic is around.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
It sometimes helps to first sit a little back on the saddle for some reason, sit straight up and concentrate on steering with just your hips. It's all 100% countersteering, moving the hips opposite the way you want the handlebars to turn to keep upright. If the saddle is too high that makes it difficult.
For the dissenters, "no hands" is necessary for when you need to take a jacket off, or put one on. It can be useful for a quick rest also. Or if you need both hands to adjust your headphones. Unwrap a cheeseburger. Unzip the pocket to answer the phone ... lots of reasons I think ...
For the dissenters, "no hands" is necessary for when you need to take a jacket off, or put one on. It can be useful for a quick rest also. Or if you need both hands to adjust your headphones. Unwrap a cheeseburger. Unzip the pocket to answer the phone ... lots of reasons I think ...
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Central Io-way
Posts: 2,655
Bikes: LeMond Zurich, Giant Talon 29er
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1218 Post(s)
Liked 609 Times
in
458 Posts
Like others said it's probably just the rake/trail of your bike. My mtb I can no hand for miles. The road bike gets iffy with both hands on the aerobars if I space off.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 8,550
Bikes: Wilier Izoard XP (Record);Cinelli Xperience (Force);Specialized Allez (Rival);Bianchi Via Nirone 7 (Centaur); Colnago AC-R Disc;Colnago V1r Limited Edition;De Rosa King 3 Limited(Force 22);DeRosa Merak(Red):Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Hydro(Di2)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 551 Post(s)
Liked 276 Times
in
144 Posts
#12
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 14,782
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Mentioned: 235 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6844 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times
in
469 Posts
But can you guys do this?
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Metro Detroit/AA
Posts: 8,215
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3640 Post(s)
Liked 81 Times
in
51 Posts
Heck, same goes for the second hour and twenty something-th mile.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Colorado
Posts: 208
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 107 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times
in
13 Posts
Sitting up with no hands is good way to stretch and relax your muscles on a long ride. You can also steer the bike no hands by leaning into curves. It is easy and perfectly safe if you are on the right type of bike (high trail). Dave Moulton has a blog post that explains trail here.
#18
Full Member
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,291
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,910 Times
in
1,884 Posts
#20
Often on Fritz
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Austin
Posts: 536
Bikes: Franken-Fritz, Horse-Feathers, Junker
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Ah, yes, the good ole "look ma! No hands!" Chestnut...
Big fat "no duh" coming from y'all but that was one of the things I had to give up when I went with a hornless saddle... The nose of a saddle really does give a lot of feedback and stability when you off load, alas, here I am noseless...
Now that's just on Fritz and Feathers! Junker on the other hand? He's not had the rhinoplasty that others have endured and I find that once I'm deep in my cups I get bold enough to sit back, extend my arms and "fly"!
Yes, I've heard it many times...
"Bike like no one's watching, dork!"
Ah well, for total dork factor, move your arms like you're running, the ladies LOVE it!
Big fat "no duh" coming from y'all but that was one of the things I had to give up when I went with a hornless saddle... The nose of a saddle really does give a lot of feedback and stability when you off load, alas, here I am noseless...
Now that's just on Fritz and Feathers! Junker on the other hand? He's not had the rhinoplasty that others have endured and I find that once I'm deep in my cups I get bold enough to sit back, extend my arms and "fly"!
Yes, I've heard it many times...
"Bike like no one's watching, dork!"
Ah well, for total dork factor, move your arms like you're running, the ladies LOVE it!
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minas Ithil
Posts: 9,337
Mentioned: 66 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2432 Post(s)
Liked 638 Times
in
395 Posts
Things like cornering, braking, reading the traffic, riding on ice or snow, hill climbing, riding over rough terrain etc are bike skillz, riding no handed is just for goofing around and showing off, and it's a really foolish thing to do on the road when other traffic is around.
#22
Non omnino gravis
No matter how many times I've tried, my 'no hands' attempts have failed. Is it that I prefer a 'stretched out' position, making it difficult to balance given my long long top tube and long stem - plus my preference for a large saddle-to-bar drop? Or is it simply a fear to be overcome? Any pointers appreciated.
Scoot back in the saddle, sit straight up, with your fingertips on the bar tops. Then slowly take your hands away from the bars.
It's easier than you think (provided, as mentioned before, that the headset is not too loose or too tight) as the bike really wants to stay upright all by itself. It is us who make it fall over.
It's much easier above 15mph. You have to practice quite a bit to get used to doing it at slower speeds.
#23
~>~
"Hey! Stop you guys.
I need to take my vest off.
Can you hold this? Thanks.
OK ready.
No, wait I put my vest in the pocket with my gels.
That won't work.
OK ready.
Hey, where did everyone go?"
I need to take my vest off.
Can you hold this? Thanks.
OK ready.
No, wait I put my vest in the pocket with my gels.
That won't work.
OK ready.
Hey, where did everyone go?"
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I didn’t realize that putting on a vest and stretching my back was goofing off or showing off. Gosh, you really do learn a lot on BF.