classic33
Leg End Member
Falling off doesn't hurt. It's coming into contact with things on the way to the ground that hurts.
Look no hands
- Thread starter Wetdog
- Start date
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grellboy
Veteran
I do it all the time. Set a very bad example to the kids I teach as a 42 year old "responsible" adult but I just can't help it. It's not about showing off, it just gives me a nice feeling inside. Having said that, the other week I was cycling no hands and a paper boy came past me doing the same thing. We both smiled knowingly, satisfied that we were at that moment the coolest cats in town.
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
D
Deleted member 1258
Guest
I've never got round to learning how to do it
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
If you can ride a bike, you can ride a bike no-handed. You don't actually need your hands on the bars for balance. Or steering.
Accy cyclist
Legendary Member
- Location
- The hills of Accrington
Like others i haven't done it since my teens. Well i have, for about 10 seconds but i had my hands hovering closely over the bars just in case. I always cringe when i see a rider on tv throwing his hands up as he approaches the finishing line, half expecting him to fall off before he crosses that line.
lazybloke
Ginger biscuits and cheddar
- Location
- Leafy Surrey
No hands is easy. Pedalling. Not pedalling. Straight lines or cornering.
Never mastered a sustained wheelie though. Just googled and found a gcn vid. Will check it out in a min!
Never mastered a sustained wheelie though. Just googled and found a gcn vid. Will check it out in a min!
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
It's doable on a Brompton but admittedly a bit twitchy.
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
OP
OP
Wetdog
Senior Member
- Location
- Warrington
It seems to be split down the miggle, some do some don't.
Cheers folks.
Cheers folks.
Salty seadog
Space Cadet...(3rd Class...)
Yes....
dickyknees
Guru
- Location
- Anglesey
Yes I can.
shouldbeinbed
Rollin' along
- Location
- Manchester way
Just about but only for a very short distance and in always ends with desperate grab onto the bar
Foghat
Freight-train-groove-rider
It's all very well saying riding a bicycle no-handed is easy, as if anyone on any bike should be able to do it. Yes, some bikes are easy - these usually have steeper head angles (e.g. many race bikes).
However, some are quite difficult to ride no-handed as the steering just flops to the side as soon as you let go - these usually have shallow head angles (e.g. many touring bikes). And if there's substantial weight on the bars, such as large light and heavier GPS, or a handlebar bag, the flopping to the side is likely to be worse. Having the headset too tight will also make it harder.
So it's mainly a function of head angle, fork trail and weight on the bars. Don't assume you can't do it, though, as it may be the bikes you've tried it on have had the kind of geometry or set-up that is not conducive.
However, some are quite difficult to ride no-handed as the steering just flops to the side as soon as you let go - these usually have shallow head angles (e.g. many touring bikes). And if there's substantial weight on the bars, such as large light and heavier GPS, or a handlebar bag, the flopping to the side is likely to be worse. Having the headset too tight will also make it harder.
So it's mainly a function of head angle, fork trail and weight on the bars. Don't assume you can't do it, though, as it may be the bikes you've tried it on have had the kind of geometry or set-up that is not conducive.
