How can I ride 'no hands'?
08-06-18, 03:41 PM
#76
You gonna eat that?
Obviously an Eagle Scout.
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
08-06-18, 06:35 PM
#77
Cyclist
08-06-18, 06:38 PM
#78
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
08-07-18, 02:56 AM
#80
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 10
Bikes: Dunelt bsa
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
So this is how I did it.
The simple one is that you need a bike that has straight wheels and tight pedals and cranks (if not it will easily unbalance you).
If all is good start riding, get up to a good speed (not to slow or to fast), stop paddling and let it ride out, while doing that try to let go of the handlebars (one hand at a time) and find your balance (with your butt) keep doing it until it gets easier. Do all of that but now try to paddle while letting go of your hands (one at a time).
The tip is to balance yourself with your butt and feet (while paddling your feet do the balancing).
Hope this helps
The simple one is that you need a bike that has straight wheels and tight pedals and cranks (if not it will easily unbalance you).
If all is good start riding, get up to a good speed (not to slow or to fast), stop paddling and let it ride out, while doing that try to let go of the handlebars (one hand at a time) and find your balance (with your butt) keep doing it until it gets easier. Do all of that but now try to paddle while letting go of your hands (one at a time).
The tip is to balance yourself with your butt and feet (while paddling your feet do the balancing).
Hope this helps
08-07-18, 06:12 AM
#81
Zip tie Karen
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,004
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times
in
806 Posts
Mods, Please Help...
...if @JohnnyCyclist cannot learn this in the next 30 days, he should forfeit his screen name and become @JohnnyInternet. Just sayin'
08-07-18, 08:17 AM
#82
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 277 Times
in
145 Posts
Nah, the epic selfies on bikes are always worth the risk. I specially like the ones without my helmet while bombing down the mountain side with the peloton.
08-07-18, 08:44 AM
#83
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
Buy a bike with a really big toe overlap gap, slack head tube geometry, long chain stays, etc....
I can ride no handed pretty easy on the CX race bike. The aero race bike, no way. Way too twitchy for a mere mortal.
I can ride no handed pretty easy on the CX race bike. The aero race bike, no way. Way too twitchy for a mere mortal.
08-07-18, 09:52 AM
#84
Cyclist
Hey man, I've seen people do it... I don't know you, so I can't assume how responsible you are. Glad to hear it was sarcasm...
08-07-18, 09:58 AM
#85
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
I'm trying to imply that it doesn't matter why he wants to ride no-hands, he just wanted to know how. You weren't supposed to be baited, maybe I should have made it more over the top. I'd have thought "adjusting the headphones" would be the trigger though.
08-07-18, 10:01 AM
#86
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 277 Times
in
145 Posts
08-07-18, 10:24 AM
#87
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
To answer the OP's OP: find a flat, traffic free, pothole free bit of road. On a still day.
Ride at a moderate speed in a slightly heavier gear than normal (I find it easier if I'm pushing rather than spinning).
Hands on tops.
Ride for a bit with just your finger tips on the tops.
When you get comfortable doing that, ride for a bit with just your index finger tips on the tops.
When you get comfortable with that, take your hands off completely.
Sit up straight, look down the road, not at your bars or your front wheel.
Keep practicing.
Ride at a moderate speed in a slightly heavier gear than normal (I find it easier if I'm pushing rather than spinning).
Hands on tops.
Ride for a bit with just your finger tips on the tops.
When you get comfortable doing that, ride for a bit with just your index finger tips on the tops.
When you get comfortable with that, take your hands off completely.
Sit up straight, look down the road, not at your bars or your front wheel.
Keep practicing.
08-07-18, 10:48 AM
#88
Tange
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 131
Bikes: 74 Raleigh Super Course Mk II, 77 Nishiki International, 77 Motobecane Super Mirage, 84 Team Fuji, 85 Schwinn Traveler, 86 Schwinn Prelude, 86 Raleigh Technium 460, 87 Raleigh Technium Tri Lite, 88 Cannondale "Crest", 96 Giant ATX 830, 05 Trek 1000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Liked 103 Times
in
37 Posts
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.
08-07-18, 12:48 PM
#89
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Groningen
Posts: 1,308
Bikes: Gazelle rod brakes, Batavus compact, Peugeot hybrid
Mentioned: 85 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5999 Post(s)
Liked 956 Times
in
730 Posts
Through gravity I believe. Because of the trail the front of the bike has to lift a little to allow the front wheel to turn, it's pushing the front wheel straight by pushing down on it. With zero trail the steering would be so light it would probably be difficult with two hands on the handlebar
08-07-18, 01:25 PM
#90
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,210
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2762 Post(s)
Liked 2,537 Times
in
1,433 Posts
Through gravity I believe. Because of the trail the front of the bike has to lift a little to allow the front wheel to turn, it's pushing the front wheel straight by pushing down on it. With zero trail the steering would be so light it would probably be difficult with two hands on the handlebar
I don't think this is the way trail works. I am pretty sure that most bikes you are likely to encounter will do just the opposite: Gravity is actually in favor of the wheel being off-center. This becomes apparent when the bike is not moving, or moving very slowly. And I am not talking about the weight of the bars flopping the bike to one side, either. This would be true even with the bars removed, because the front of the bike drops slightly when the wheel is turned off-center. I think you would need a negative trail in order for gravity to favor a centered position.
The centering effects of trail require the bike be moving.
At least that is how I understand it.
08-07-18, 02:08 PM
#91
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
In practical terms of "how does trail work" in riding no-hands, more trail makes the steering slower, more stable at high speeds and easier to control with hips (no-hands).
I hadn't thought of it before, but it's an interesting question from Stadjer. I think that trail itself will not intrinsically cause the front of the bike to rise when the wheel is turned, but fork offset which is related to trail, would. Because with a straight fork, in line with the steering tube and with no offset, there is trail but the angle from the contact to the crown wouldn't change (equals no change in how high it is). In the other case, with an offset then the angle would change. When the angle changes, and the length is the same, then the distance from the ground would change.
I hadn't thought of it before, but it's an interesting question from Stadjer. I think that trail itself will not intrinsically cause the front of the bike to rise when the wheel is turned, but fork offset which is related to trail, would. Because with a straight fork, in line with the steering tube and with no offset, there is trail but the angle from the contact to the crown wouldn't change (equals no change in how high it is). In the other case, with an offset then the angle would change. When the angle changes, and the length is the same, then the distance from the ground would change.
08-07-18, 03:57 PM
#93
Tange
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 131
Bikes: 74 Raleigh Super Course Mk II, 77 Nishiki International, 77 Motobecane Super Mirage, 84 Team Fuji, 85 Schwinn Traveler, 86 Schwinn Prelude, 86 Raleigh Technium 460, 87 Raleigh Technium Tri Lite, 88 Cannondale "Crest", 96 Giant ATX 830, 05 Trek 1000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Liked 103 Times
in
37 Posts
08-07-18, 06:36 PM
#94
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,210
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2762 Post(s)
Liked 2,537 Times
in
1,433 Posts
In practical terms of "how does trail work" in riding no-hands, more trail makes the steering slower, more stable at high speeds and easier to control with hips (no-hands).
I hadn't thought of it before, but it's an interesting question from Stadjer. I think that trail itself will not intrinsically cause the front of the bike to rise when the wheel is turned, but fork offset which is related to trail, would. Because with a straight fork, in line with the steering tube and with no offset, there is trail but the angle from the contact to the crown wouldn't change (equals no change in how high it is). In the other case, with an offset then the angle would change. When the angle changes, and the length is the same, then the distance from the ground would change.
I hadn't thought of it before, but it's an interesting question from Stadjer. I think that trail itself will not intrinsically cause the front of the bike to rise when the wheel is turned, but fork offset which is related to trail, would. Because with a straight fork, in line with the steering tube and with no offset, there is trail but the angle from the contact to the crown wouldn't change (equals no change in how high it is). In the other case, with an offset then the angle would change. When the angle changes, and the length is the same, then the distance from the ground would change.
08-07-18, 07:03 PM
#95
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
... I just tried it, and I think you're right it drops when you turn the wheel sideways. But such a small amount about a mm or less, it's hard to be sure. I think the tire curvature has something to do with it.
Last edited by wphamilton; 08-07-18 at 07:13 PM.
08-07-18, 07:06 PM
#96
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,843
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1173 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
612 Posts
I was thinking of having a contest to see who can ride the fastest no-hands for 15 seconds, while taking a picture or video of the speedometer.
Good idea ?
I've probably done 25+ mph downhill without even thinking about, while having a snack.
Good idea ?
I've probably done 25+ mph downhill without even thinking about, while having a snack.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
08-07-18, 07:22 PM
#97
Non omnino gravis
__________________
08-07-18, 07:35 PM
#98
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 355
Bikes: 2017 Ribble CX5
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 704 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
For the record, I was traveling thru GA and ate an entire Waffle House chicken fried steak waffle in heavy traffic while steering with my knee. Took 40 miles. Then 30 minutes at the next rest stop.
08-07-18, 09:14 PM
#99
Non omnino gravis
HOW DID YOU KNOW ABOUT MY SQUIRREL!?!
His name is Randy, and he lives in the seat tube. My wife is sure he's in there, because as she says, "Hills come up, and you don't slow down. It's cheating."
Randy works for peanuts. <ba-dum-tiss>
His name is Randy, and he lives in the seat tube. My wife is sure he's in there, because as she says, "Hills come up, and you don't slow down. It's cheating."
Randy works for peanuts. <ba-dum-tiss>
__________________
08-07-18, 09:38 PM
#100
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 355
Bikes: 2017 Ribble CX5
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 704 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Sorry, I tried to let one go but couldn't.