Riding No Handed Over 50 or 60
- Thread starter Rick53
- Start date
Mulezen
Well-Known Member
I was driving up my country road the other day...a young spandex was tooling along no handed in the middle of the road fiddling with his phone. I drove behind him for a long minute not wanting to tap my horn because I hate that...then began slowly passing on the edge of the road when he finally came to and moved over
PDXzap
Well-Known Member
+60 and I still do it, as rich said, good for a different position. It also can help when you're trying to use a camera or have a drink. Years ago some of my rides were hands free most of the time, mostly because the bike was a little too small for me.
Some bikes are nearly impossible (for me) to ride any distance at all hands free.
Some bikes are nearly impossible (for me) to ride any distance at all hands free.
indianajo
Well-Known Member
I would do it on my Mother's 1946 Firestone bike, that was stable as a rock. I could plow through potholes or across railroad tracks no handed, no tendency to go anywhere but straight. Same 26x2" tires I'm riding now, but much more centering force. These "fast response" forks will whip sideways if they go over the least bump, even piles of gravel. I checked 220 frames in 2016, they all had the same trail even though there were some tipped back fork frames available. The standard trail is not enough IMHO.
The handlebar has ripped out of my hands on bumps and whipped sideways 4 times in the last 10 years, throwing me on my chin. Tried to buy a high caster (bicycle speak "trail") fork from a frame builder, he A. had no idea what I was talking about and B. absolutely refused to consider anything "custom" about the fork. Ended up buying a stretch frame cargo bike for $1600, that puts most of my weight on the front axle. No problem with that one yet.
The handlebar has ripped out of my hands on bumps and whipped sideways 4 times in the last 10 years, throwing me on my chin. Tried to buy a high caster (bicycle speak "trail") fork from a frame builder, he A. had no idea what I was talking about and B. absolutely refused to consider anything "custom" about the fork. Ended up buying a stretch frame cargo bike for $1600, that puts most of my weight on the front axle. No problem with that one yet.
harryS
Well-Known Member
About 8 or 10 years ago, we're riding our bikes in Chicago when one of the Lakefront bike cops passed us leaning back with no hands. Radio and gun on his belt.
I never do it, but this year I was setting up a 20" folder with a new steering tube/handlebars. It felt really twitchy, but the bars were about 5" higher than the original bars. I shortened them, and found I could ride no handed, so I figured it worked.
I never do it, but this year I was setting up a 20" folder with a new steering tube/handlebars. It felt really twitchy, but the bars were about 5" higher than the original bars. I shortened them, and found I could ride no handed, so I figured it worked.
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
I used to ride no handed on occasion up until around age 55. At that point, I developed a circulation problem and had to give up bike seats with a nose. The flat top seats I use now don't allow me to grip with my thighs which I used to do for balance when riding no hands.
Even if I could, I doubt I would do it anyway these days. It certainly isn't the smartest thing to do.
Even if I could, I doubt I would do it anyway these days. It certainly isn't the smartest thing to do.
Keep in Mind I am not positive about anyone but Me. I used to ride all over that way : Starting to ride again at almost 64 years old : I was scared more about Wiping out then anything : Finally I got up the nerve : I guess that saying It's like riding a Bicycle You never forget is TRUE: 
Mr. Coffee
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- A Demented Corner of the North Cascades
There are two ways to look at it.
As a skill, I think it is a good idea for all cyclists to be able to ride no-handed. The balance and muscle memory you develop in learning to ride no-handed could keep you on your bike and help you avoid a nasty fall when things go pear-shaped.
As something that you'd do regularly, I'm not so sure. I often ride with one hand very lightly on the bars and my body weight nearly all carried by my legs. But I only rarely ride no-handed for more than a few seconds at a time.
As a skill, I think it is a good idea for all cyclists to be able to ride no-handed. The balance and muscle memory you develop in learning to ride no-handed could keep you on your bike and help you avoid a nasty fall when things go pear-shaped.
As something that you'd do regularly, I'm not so sure. I often ride with one hand very lightly on the bars and my body weight nearly all carried by my legs. But I only rarely ride no-handed for more than a few seconds at a time.
christob
Well-Known Member
Yes here (51) but not for long stretches; generally only when I have some empty, straight pavement ahead that is also in good condition and ideally mostly flat.
Then I may go hands-free for 10-30 seconds (usually coasting or very minor pedaling) to stretch out my shoulders a bit.
Then I may go hands-free for 10-30 seconds (usually coasting or very minor pedaling) to stretch out my shoulders a bit.
When I was a young feller back in Wisconsin I frequently bike rode no hands. I would also do it for miles and miles on motorcycles. It drove some other riders nuts . Some cycles are much more stable and easier to ride that way.
I now have a Juiced RipCurrent that I love. I sometimes ride no hands but it is much harder to do for any great distance. I still have an old hub shifting three speed Schwinn that is a very simple bike to ride no hands. I do it often when I ride it. I believe it has to do with the geometry and rake of the front fork because it is just plain easy and stable on that old bike..
At 81 years old I ride by Juiced RC nearly every day here in the Tucson AZ desert.
One of my better buys in recent years because where I live there is no level ground.
I now have a Juiced RipCurrent that I love. I sometimes ride no hands but it is much harder to do for any great distance. I still have an old hub shifting three speed Schwinn that is a very simple bike to ride no hands. I do it often when I ride it. I believe it has to do with the geometry and rake of the front fork because it is just plain easy and stable on that old bike..
At 81 years old I ride by Juiced RC nearly every day here in the Tucson AZ desert.
One of my better buys in recent years because where I live there is no level ground.
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
It doesn't matter how good of a rider you are, if you take your hands off your handlebar you could crash.
Chris Froome found this out when he took his hands off his handlebar to blow his nose and lost control of his bike, colliding with a wall at 40 mph.
Chris Froome found this out when he took his hands off his handlebar to blow his nose and lost control of his bike, colliding with a wall at 40 mph.
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
Even just taking one hand off the handlebar can be dangerous.
While I was test riding a $10,000 Specialized Creo e-road bike I took my left hand off the handlebar, while traveling at around 30kph to press down on the power level button located on the main bike tube. Just as I was pressing down on the button I hit a rough patch of pavement and the front end decided to to its own thing. I came close to ending up in the ditch.
What really scared me was the thought of having to pay for the bike if I had crashed and destroyed the beautiful carbon frame.
While I was test riding a $10,000 Specialized Creo e-road bike I took my left hand off the handlebar, while traveling at around 30kph to press down on the power level button located on the main bike tube. Just as I was pressing down on the button I hit a rough patch of pavement and the front end decided to to its own thing. I came close to ending up in the ditch.
What really scared me was the thought of having to pay for the bike if I had crashed and destroyed the beautiful carbon frame.
Mike_V
Well-Known Member
Hi Rick
Good question.
For some various combination of mechanics and dynamics my bike is as stable as Mom's old Firestone colorfully described here above.
? Gyroscopic force of the 20" fat tires, ( 26" O.D. ) low C.O.G. , spring suspension and geometry, & 60#, I surmise, it just works for me.
I was riding the rail trail faster than usual today 14 miles on PAS 1 or 2 and, mostly as usual, only keeping two gloved fingers on a handlebar.
UNLESS I'm near someone. The other hand in my hoodie pocket (41*F)
My balance was never good enough hands off more than 1 second.
Mike
Good question.
For some various combination of mechanics and dynamics my bike is as stable as Mom's old Firestone colorfully described here above.
? Gyroscopic force of the 20" fat tires, ( 26" O.D. ) low C.O.G. , spring suspension and geometry, & 60#, I surmise, it just works for me.
I was riding the rail trail faster than usual today 14 miles on PAS 1 or 2 and, mostly as usual, only keeping two gloved fingers on a handlebar.
UNLESS I'm near someone. The other hand in my hoodie pocket (41*F)
My balance was never good enough hands off more than 1 second.
Mike
Mike TowpathTraveler
Well-Known Member
No, I don't ride hands-off the handlebars.
Not sure why Court feels the need to do it as part of his reviews, either. Speaking of, I'd feel alot better if he kept both hands on the handlebars instead of having one hold up his camera. Especially when he is on a Haibike All MTN or something, going down a trail at speed.
Court, I think it's time to think about putting that go-pro on top of your helmet for all bike riding videos!
Not sure why Court feels the need to do it as part of his reviews, either. Speaking of, I'd feel alot better if he kept both hands on the handlebars instead of having one hold up his camera. Especially when he is on a Haibike All MTN or something, going down a trail at speed.
Court, I think it's time to think about putting that go-pro on top of your helmet for all bike riding videos!
byunbee
Well-Known Member
I've been riding without hands since I was a kid. It's not something I recommend doing when there's a lot of auto or people traffic and should probably be done only for a short period to stretch for a bit. But I did have a friend back in middle school who used to compete in BMX that would ride laps around the tracks doing a wheelie with no hands. That was impressive. 
Last edited:
FlatSix911
Well-Known Member
- Region
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- Silicon Valley
I do it all the time when shedding a layer or adjusting equipment... just a matter of experience and competence.
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