Is half wheeling dangerous?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,989
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2693 Post(s)
Liked 485 Times
in
350 Posts
Is half wheeling dangerous?
Can someone cue me into why half wheeling is frowned upon? I heard the term a while ago and thought it meant overlapping wheels/not protecting your front wheel, but now I understand that its more about persistently upping the pace when next to someone. To me this sounds fine and not dangerous. in the group I ride with, if someone pushes the pace on an easy day the other riders let them go and blow themselves up. Is half wheeling somehow inherently dangerous, or is it just something that can disrupt an organized pace line
Likes For LarrySellerz:
#2
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,912
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10397 Post(s)
Liked 11,855 Times
in
6,071 Posts
Can someone cue me into why half wheeling is frowned upon? I heard the term a while ago and thought it meant overlapping wheels/not protecting your front wheel, but now I understand that its more about persistently upping the pace when next to someone. To me this sounds fine and not dangerous. in the group I ride with, if someone pushes the pace on an easy day the other riders let them go and blow themselves up. Is half wheeling somehow inherently dangerous, or is it just something that can disrupt an organized pace line
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
Likes For genejockey:
#3
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
Agreed. It’s a sign that a rider can’t or won’t ride at the group speed. If you feel strong then go to the front and pull all day, but half wheeling is a jerk move.
Likes For caloso:
#4
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,183
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2565 Post(s)
Liked 5,595 Times
in
2,903 Posts
+1
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Likes For spelger:
#6
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,428
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3129 Post(s)
Liked 1,697 Times
in
1,026 Posts
Yeah, I think it’s a dick move, too, although not because it pushes the pace, but rather because it makes it hard and unsafe for the person on the front to pull off and drop back, and because yes, it’s inherently dangerous because it creates the overlapping wheel situation wherein the person out front may not be aware that the person behind is doing it, so it’s a dick move for creating an unnecessary risk to everyone in the group.
Likes For chaadster:
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,251
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8261 Post(s)
Liked 8,996 Times
in
4,455 Posts
Whether something is dangerous or not depends on who is doing it and who they're doing it to.
Half-wheeling is not dangerous by itself.
Half-wheeling is not dangerous by itself.
Likes For big john:
#8
Mother Nature's Son
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,107
Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 852 Post(s)
Liked 1,433 Times
in
815 Posts
To a point, I would agree with this IF one is riding with others they have ridden with, and know and trust both their own, and the others bike handling skills and equipment. Realistically, anytime one is riding along with others like that, the odds of something bad happening is increased. The higher the number of riders and bikes involved, the higher the increase. That is just common sense. Accidents and mistakes happen to the best. I would likely ask the rider, maybe more than ask, to drop back or get to the front. However, I rarely ride others, and if I was, I would not do that to someone else.
Last edited by delbiker1; 08-29-21 at 04:27 AM. Reason: add more info
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,251
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8261 Post(s)
Liked 8,996 Times
in
4,455 Posts
To a point, I would agree with this IF one is riding with others they have ridden with, and know and trust both their own, and the others bike handling skills and equipment. Realistically, anytime one is riding along with others like that, the odds of something bad happening is increased. The higher the number of riders and bikes involved, the higher the increase. That is just common sense. Accidents and mistakes happen to the best. I would likely ask the rider, maybe more than ask, to drop back or get to the front. However, I rarely ride others, and if I was, I would not do that to someone else.
Of course, 1 Bozo can ruin the harmony of a group.
Likes For big john:
#10
Mother Nature's Son
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,107
Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 852 Post(s)
Liked 1,433 Times
in
815 Posts
big john , I absolutely agree with feeling of riding with the 25 skilled vs 5 Bozos. I could not count the times I politely begged off from riding with others because I knew there lack of experience and/or style of riding would make for an uncomfortable ride for me. To me, in that situation, honesty with oneself and the others is best. I believe I am not being a critic or elitist, it's reality
Likes For delbiker1:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Down Under
Posts: 1,936
Bikes: A steel framed 26" off road tourer from a manufacturer who thinks they are cool. Giant Anthem. Trek 720 Multiroad pub bike. 10 kids bikes all under 20". Assorted waifs and unfinished projects.
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1188 Post(s)
Liked 1,154 Times
in
640 Posts
Half wheeling drives me insane, something happens like a dog running out or whatever and you're not only thinking about the dog, but whether you're going have an accident from hitting that stupid wheel that is stopping you from swerving. Possibly the worst habit you can have while riding with somebody else.
#12
LBKA (formerly punkncat)
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Jawja
Posts: 4,299
Bikes: Spec Roubaix SL4, GT Traffic 1.0
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2208 Post(s)
Liked 960 Times
in
686 Posts
I would put it like this.
If you were riding an event or competition with other like skilled individuals that would expect riders to be taking advantage where they can....that's one thing.
In a group or recreational ride, and particularly when riding out on 'the road' where unexpected situations can arise, such as animal, trash in the road, and such, it leads to very dangerous situations and people can readily end up hurt outside that expectation.
I wouldn't do it. I don't do it.
If you were riding an event or competition with other like skilled individuals that would expect riders to be taking advantage where they can....that's one thing.
In a group or recreational ride, and particularly when riding out on 'the road' where unexpected situations can arise, such as animal, trash in the road, and such, it leads to very dangerous situations and people can readily end up hurt outside that expectation.
I wouldn't do it. I don't do it.
#13
LBKA (formerly punkncat)
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Jawja
Posts: 4,299
Bikes: Spec Roubaix SL4, GT Traffic 1.0
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2208 Post(s)
Liked 960 Times
in
686 Posts
Some years ago now, I learned that riding alone and/or with a very limited group or just one other individual is what I prefer as well. I rode with a club for several years that were a great group of people in the parking lot and at the feed afterward. They always wanted to act like this club rides were some kind of race and dumb **** happened all the time. I overlooked a lot of it early on as both not knowing better as well as just the excitement of the experience. It took two major events to happen where people went to the hospital where I realized that I wasn't being "safety in numbers", I was actually increasing my risk riding with these folks.
Unfortunate side effect to consider is that my fitness level declined significantly without the pressure and push to perform.
Unfortunate side effect to consider is that my fitness level declined significantly without the pressure and push to perform.
Likes For Juan Foote:
#15
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,949
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6177 Post(s)
Liked 4,794 Times
in
3,306 Posts
Maybe I'm misunderstanding what you mean, but if you are overlapping the wheel of the person in front of you aren't you limiting their ability to move in that direction if for some reason, real or imagined, that they need to?
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,251
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8261 Post(s)
Liked 8,996 Times
in
4,455 Posts
Half-wheeling refers to the annoying habit of some riders to constantly try to bump up the speed of a ride. If you are riding alongside another rider and that rider keeps pushing ahead, like a half wheel at a time.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,251
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8261 Post(s)
Liked 8,996 Times
in
4,455 Posts
Some years ago now, I learned that riding alone and/or with a very limited group or just one other individual is what I prefer as well. I rode with a club for several years that were a great group of people in the parking lot and at the feed afterward. They always wanted to act like this club rides were some kind of race and dumb **** happened all the time. I overlooked a lot of it early on as both not knowing better as well as just the excitement of the experience. It took two major events to happen where people went to the hospital where I realized that I wasn't being "safety in numbers", I was actually increasing my risk riding with these folks.
Unfortunate side effect to consider is that my fitness level declined significantly without the pressure and push to perform.
Unfortunate side effect to consider is that my fitness level declined significantly without the pressure and push to perform.
Likes For big john:
#18
Should Be More Popular
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,027
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22572 Post(s)
Liked 8,918 Times
in
4,152 Posts
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
These people are just jealous because you're going and fit, Larry. Nobody likes losing a race group ride to a guy in a dress.
Likes For Seattle Forrest:
Likes For Broctoon:
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The banks of the River Charles
Posts: 2,028
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease, 2020 Seven Evergreen, 2019 Honey Allroads Ti, 2018 Seven Redsky XX, 2017 Trek Boon 7, 2014 Trek 520
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 695 Post(s)
Liked 910 Times
in
487 Posts
I’d vomit all over my Rapha Jersey if I caught someone in a tank top on a hybrid half wheeling me.
Likes For Ghazmh:
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times
in
1,510 Posts
It's dangerous because it could lead to the half wheeler getting the Cinzano treatment.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,936
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3942 Post(s)
Liked 7,283 Times
in
2,941 Posts
Half-wheelers are no different than cyclists who accelerate when they reach the front of a rotating pace line. Just let them go -- they'll figure it out after they find themselves alone a few times.
Likes For tomato coupe:
#24
OM boy
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Goleta CA
Posts: 4,350
Bikes: a bunch
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 504 Post(s)
Liked 631 Times
in
430 Posts
a better move, wait until any steep upgrade, then slap both downtube shifters, on their bike, full forward ... total NYC move... LOL!
...Dang! how do we do that with Brifters.. ?
#25
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,428
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3129 Post(s)
Liked 1,697 Times
in
1,026 Posts
I think we share the same basic understanding that half-wheeling involves a follwing rider overlapping their front wheel with the back half of the leading rider’s rear wheel, no?
What I don’t get is how this behavior “pushes the pace,” particularly because, by definition, the following rider is behind and therefor out of sight of the leading rider who then cannot— or usually does not— have awareness that half-wheeling is happening. That’s what makes it dangerous, but also why I don’t get how someone could feel pushed by behavior they’re unaware of.
I suppose if the following rider was far enough away from the leading rider that the leading rider could catch them in their peripheral vision or with a head check then they’d be aware and the situation far less dangerous. However, as the leading rider, it’s their main role to set the pace, and if someone were coming up way out on my left— and I’m speaking personally now— I’d assume they’re either going to overtake or they misjudged their speed and are trying to bleed some off in the wind rather than by braking. If they don’t overtake, then I’m inferring my pace is fine.
And that’s how I’ve always seen it to work around here, too, with any of the groups I’ve ridden with. In my club, we ride fast pacelines and definitely have some members who are either uncomfortable in the draft or are just arseholes who ride out in the fallback line, often halfway alongside if not half-wheeling their leading rider. I have never noticed, in all the years, that he behavior causes the speeds to lift, nor have I heard complaints that anyone felt uncomfortably pressured by the behavior, so I wonder if I’m misunderstanding how you’re describing “half-wheeling.”
Likes For chaadster: