How to Track Stand on a Bike
Track standing, standing on a bike without moving or putting a foot down, is a useful bike skill for racing starts, trials riding and showing off. Becoming a proficient track stander takes regular practice, but having an understanding of the concept will quicken the learning process.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Staying up
-
1
Begin a track stand by gradually slowing to a standstill rather than getting on a bike from a dead stop and trying to balance. With this in mind, shift into an easy gear and find a hill or slight incline to practice on. You'll want to face up the incline; track standing is impossible when facing downhill.
-
2
Roll up to the hill and gradually slow to a stop on it. Turn the front wheel to a 45-degree angle and make sure that your pedals and cranks are horizontal with your dominant leg forward. Standing on the pedals will lower your center of gravity and make balancing easier than sitting on the seat.
-
-
3
Get ready for the bike to begin falling once it is stopped. Assuming your front wheel is turned to the left, you can correct the fall by pushing or backpedaling about 1/16th of a rotation. If the bike falls to the left you'll push; if the bike falls to the right you'll back pedal. This is very delicate, of course, so make sure to only push or backpedal in fractions of a rotation.
-
4
Let the bike "rock" forward and backwards, but make sure to keep the front wheel at the 45 degree angle. Your natural reaction to losing balance is to turn the front wheel more, but it is better to hold the steering still and use your pedaling to control the balance.
-
5
Practice whenever you have to wait for somebody or stop at a light. Try to stand for a few seconds at a time and gradually increase until you can do it indefinitely. Once you become proficient you can try track standing with a curb or stone for the front wheel to rock up against. You can also try no-handed track stands or other variations.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Big mountain bike tires are easier to balance on than skinny road tires.
If you're worried about falling try learning in the grass.
Use your head: if you are leaning faster than you can recover, put a foot down and start over.
It may take months to perfect this skill, so don't expect to be a pro over night. If you keep at it you will get better, though.
Cycling is an inherently dangerous sport, but the main danger in track standing is losing your balance and not getting your foot down before keeling over.
Resources
- Photo Credit Scott B. Wilson
