How to tackle speedbreakers?
02-11-21, 11:54 AM
#1
Tiyasha
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: London
Posts: 2
Bikes: Apollo excelle
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
How to tackle speedbreakers?
I'm new to cycling. I recently bought a bike and decided to teach myself. I can ride it now but I still struggle with going over speedbreakers and going up hill. Can someone give me some idea on how it is done? I would really really appreciate it.
02-11-21, 11:58 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,354
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,946 Times
in
1,906 Posts
stand as you pedal & choose a better gear ratio prior to being in the climb.
__________________
-Oh Hey!
-Oh Hey!
Likes For Troul:
02-11-21, 12:13 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: VA
Posts: 1,437
Bikes: SuperSix Evo | Revolt
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 733 Post(s)
Liked 815 Times
in
414 Posts
Standing, or at least slightly unseating, when going over speedbreakers allows your arms and legs to absorb the movement so you can maintain some speed over them, while also maintaining control. Climbing is about proper gear selection, and standing if necessary when it becomes too steep. Just takes time to get comfortable with the techniques.
02-11-21, 12:16 PM
#4
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,605
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10947 Post(s)
Liked 7,474 Times
in
4,181 Posts
Learned a new term- speedbreaker. Thanks BikeForums!
02-11-21, 12:27 PM
#5
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'm assuming from context that a speedbreaker is what we call a speed bump in the States. As mentioned above, just get off the saddle slightly, and keep your elbows and knees loose to absorb the bump.
As for going uphill, it depends on how long and how steep mostly. You can sit and spin, or stand and mash, or a combination of both. There's no right answer.
As for going uphill, it depends on how long and how steep mostly. You can sit and spin, or stand and mash, or a combination of both. There's no right answer.
02-11-21, 12:44 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hacienda Hgts
Posts: 2,102
Bikes: 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 822 Post(s)
Liked 1,955 Times
in
941 Posts
Somehow, I pictured an irate man on the side of MUPS ready to clothsline racer types. 
Last edited by CAT7RDR; 02-11-21 at 04:04 PM. Reason: grammar
Likes For CAT7RDR:
02-11-21, 01:24 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 727
Bikes: Current: 2016 Bianchi Volpe; 1973 Peugeot UO-8. Past: 1974 Fuji S-10-S with custom black Imron paint by Stinsman Racing of PA.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 215 Post(s)
Liked 204 Times
in
142 Posts
I had heard the term "Sleeping Bobbies" was also used for speed bumps. IT was used by a former colleague who was from England.
Likes For Bill in VA:
02-11-21, 01:58 PM
#8
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,952
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6178 Post(s)
Liked 4,795 Times
in
3,307 Posts
Our speed breakers or bumps usually have a gap or two in them and I go through the gap. Even when they don't I usually go around the end of them. I only go over them when there is no choice. Butt off the saddle and sometimes a hop to ease the weight off the front.
Back in ROTC I always wondered while having to do the obstacle course why a normal thinking person wouldn't go around any obstacles encountered in real situations. Our drill instructor didn't think it funny.
Back in ROTC I always wondered while having to do the obstacle course why a normal thinking person wouldn't go around any obstacles encountered in real situations. Our drill instructor didn't think it funny.
Likes For Iride01:
02-11-21, 02:09 PM
#9
n00b
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,397
Bikes: Surly Karate Monkey, Twin Six Standard Rando
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 428 Post(s)
Liked 466 Times
in
273 Posts
ride over them. slow down if you need to. it's no more complicated than that if we're talking about the same thing. is a "speed breaker" any different from the "speed bumps" we have in the States?
02-11-21, 02:30 PM
#10
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
Likes For Tiyasha:
02-11-21, 03:40 PM
#12
Newbie racer
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 3,406
Bikes: Propel, red is faster
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1575 Post(s)
Liked 1,569 Times
in
974 Posts
Don't try the advanced method for traversing a sleeping policeman until you're really really good at riding.......the bunny hop. First time you miss and have the rear tire hit that sucker and the saddle launches into your private parts........that's some regret right there.
02-11-21, 04:03 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,354
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,946 Times
in
1,906 Posts
Don't try the advanced method for traversing a sleeping policeman until you're really really good at riding.......the bunny hop. First time you miss and have the rear tire hit that sucker and the saddle launches into your private parts........that's some regret right there.
__________________
-Oh Hey!
-Oh Hey!
02-11-21, 04:42 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,895
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2599 Post(s)
Liked 1,924 Times
in
1,208 Posts
Really depends on the speed bump. If there's a gap, that's usually the best choice -- unless it's a narrow gap with beveled edges on both sides. Slow down and/or post works on the reasonable bumps. Some of the really nasty speed bumps, usually found in strip malls around here, are about as subtle as a 4x4 piece of lumber. I'll usually look for a way through the parking area to avoid those.
02-11-21, 04:53 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,760
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1109 Post(s)
Liked 1,200 Times
in
760 Posts
If you're talking about "rumble strips" which are used to make noise as the car approaches a stop sign, or when it wanders out of its lane on a highway, you have to really loosen up your grip and use your legs as a shock absorber - and ride it out without panicking. It can be treacherous if you're not paying attention.
If you're talking about the large hump-like speed bumps that are put in quiet neighborhoods, parking lots, etc. just slow down and let them function as intended.
If you're talking about the large hump-like speed bumps that are put in quiet neighborhoods, parking lots, etc. just slow down and let them function as intended.
02-11-21, 05:02 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,354
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,946 Times
in
1,906 Posts
if they're speedbumps, speedhumps, lovely speedhumps it's wise to go head-on with them if the conditions are moist. Should the surface be dry, a little side action over it wouldn't raise concern going over the humpty.
__________________
-Oh Hey!
-Oh Hey!
Likes For Troul:
02-12-21, 08:46 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
Posts: 1,832
Bikes: 1984 Schwinn Supersport, 1988 Trek 400T, 1977 Trek TX900, 1982 Bianchi Champione del Mondo, 1978 Raleigh Supercourse, 1986 Trek 400 Elance, 1991 Waterford PDG OS Paramount, 1971 Schwinn Sports Tourer, 1985 Trek 670
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 603 Post(s)
Liked 1,062 Times
in
534 Posts
Speed bumps, common sense would dictate slowing down a bit, same as if driving a car. I’d probably get off the saddle too, more common sense.
Tim
Tim
02-12-21, 02:02 PM
#19
Senior Member
1) go around if possible
2) if it's the short & sharp (about 1ft wide) kind - bunnyhop
3) if it's the hump variety - get out of the saddle, lift the front slightly
2) if it's the short & sharp (about 1ft wide) kind - bunnyhop
3) if it's the hump variety - get out of the saddle, lift the front slightly
