@@gcn warming up is hardest: do a lap or two on your indoor trainer in the livingroom. When your wife then tells you to stop fooling around you can come to the trackstand and look at her with a broad grin.
It would be great to see a “learning to track stand” video with people who can’t already do it and perhaps some with questionable balance - a group of beginners. TY!
"you can do it on any bike having two wheels" Top tip, it's actually much easier to learn on a tricycle. We have a trike at work and it's super easy to trackstand on!
I learned to trackstand out of necessity. When I was in my early 20's I lost my driver's license for about three years and cycled everywhere. I agree with everything you guys said but a couple more skills to learn along with this is learning to turn a very tight circle. Many times lights at large intersections can hold for a couple of minutes. If you lose your balance doing a trackstand you can simply turn a tight circle and start again. One more thing I learned is letting the bike roll backwards then inch back forward on the brakes. Practice practice practice!
Ive watched a few trackstand vids, never seem to be able to perfect it. I can however, stay upright whilst moving extremely slow, so when i see red lights etc, move to right to stop cars overtaking, slow down several car lengths away so i can crawl with enough space to not have to stop before green. Also would love to lift both hands off handlebars. X
I found it much easier as a beginner to try this on a fixed wheel. Being able to naturally pedal backwards really helped me 'understand' balancing it. And also, if you have to stop at red lights, you might as well have something to do.
It is fun to note that you folks in the UK do a "true track stand". Because you drive on the left and roads curve up to the right from the shoulder, you turn to the right when doing a track stand. This is the same direction needed on a "track" or velodrome. In most other countries, where we drive on the right side of the road, we learn to do a "reverse track stand" and turn to the left! When I visit a velodrome, my well-honed "reverse track stand" is of no value. One more reason to visit the UK: to practice a true track stand 🍻.
Learned to track stand when I was commuting every day through Honolulu. Lots of lights to practice at. I will say that an additional tool is to use a tilt of the frame (left or right). I've found that it's a little easier if I purposefully lean the bike frame in the opposite direction of the way I turn my front wheel (e.g., turn wheel left and slightly lean bike right). I probably started incorporating the tilt after I was comfortable with the things mentioned in this video.
Great tips! I'd suggest practicing on grass at a park or something. That way if you fall you have a soft landing and also you won't need to worry about cars, walkers, etc that may be passing by.
I started my track standing days we'll just say a wee bit ago using sidi shoes 2 bolt slotted cleats toe clips and straps it was much easier and faster than unstrapping and getting your foot out and than back in again. I 've seen some comments about not being able to do it or it will take forever to learn not true RELAX and remember your balance comes from your core don't over think it.
What I always struggle with is toe overlap. I'm a small build so the frames have a short wheelbase. Once I've got the wheel one side, if I have to go over to the other side, my foots in the way...
Nicely done guys. There is nothing quite like track standing at a road junction & bombing away from traffic as they try & sort their gears out 😜🤭😁👍 it's all about practise, practise & more practise. Been so long ago, I can't remember when I did my first one, it was fun & just happened I guess, like being able to spin a ball on your finger 👍
... or just flat shoes (rather than changing your pedals) ... when i was a kid i won a helmet at a local cycle race for the longest track stand of the day ...
I'm no pro but I can track stand reasonably well & there's a few things I've found helpful that I don't see in the video: The first, which is shown but not explained, is that the foot you put forward should be your dominant foot (if you do board sports you'll know, otherwise you'll just need to figure out which feels better in front), and the front wheel should be turned toward the side your dominant foot is on, at about 45 degrees. For example, since my dominant foot is my left, I track stand with my left foot forward and my bars turned to the left. This is the position you ideally maintain the whole track stand, so toe overlap actually isn't a factor as you won't need to spin your bars the other direction (or very much at all). Another thing is that your gear choice (if applicable) makes a big difference. A track stand allows you to be stationary by balancing equal 'backward' and 'forward forces'-the uphill pulling you backward, and your dominant foot pressing on the crank pushing you forward. When these forces are in equilibrium, you'll be stationary. Being in a low gear will make it much easier to make instant corrections to the forward/backward balance (since the bike will accelerate much easier), but, as a tradeoff, it will make the balance very sensitive to your inputs at the crank. Conversely, a high gear makes it harder to instantaneously correct the forward/backward balance, but allows for a smoother, less twitchy track stand if done well. I'd also add that it's easiest to learn on a somewhat (but not overly) steep incline, and work your way down to shallower inclines from there. The steeper incline gives you more 'backward force,' so your forward control doesn't have to be as precise. With practice, you'll be able to to a track stand on the gentle slope of a road's edge, or even a well-placed imperfection in the road. Lastly, there's nothing wrong with using brakes to negate the forward force you create with the cranks, but the real medicine is to learn to ease off the cranks. I find that I almost never touch my brakes-instead fully dropping my crank force to zero and allowing myself to slow down & roll backward.
I suggest using non-clipless shoes to start with because you're probably going to be putting a foot down quite a bit when first learning. Also, never mind a track stand, I'd just like to know how so many can remain sitting on their saddle while putting one foot at the ground! My legs/feet don't reach unless I lean the bike over or slide one butt cheek off the saddle. Maybe my feet or too short? I wear US11.
The two skills that I've learnt recently that have made trackstanding much easier have been first very small endos and second, very small fakeys. If you can do a small endo, let your body weight move backwards and roll back ever so slightly into a fakey you have the two ingredients for a trackstand. I recommend the Super Rider channel for a proper explanation.
Maybe it's totally obvious, but no one ever says that by turning your front wheel 30° or so to one side, front/rear motion becomes left/right balance checks. That's how it works. Point your front wheel up a slope, often the crown of the road, and have the pedal on that side forward to avoid pedal overlap. Track and UK riders point their wheel to the right, roadies in most other countries turn to the left.
My Coach (back in the 70's) fined us a quarter (USD) each time we didn't put a foot down at a traffic light, or stop sign. The fines became part of the Holiday Party Fund.
"You can track stand on any bike with 2 wheels!!" Hank ignores Tom Last's epic, unbeaten track stand in the GCN cheap bike challenge atop his steadily collapsing tricycle.
Mine are pretty OK on the commuter with flat pedals - and I already scored some appreciating nods from other cyclists and drivers - but I somehow lack the confidence to apply this to my road bike. I think my biggest fear is tilting over to the side I'm not used to clip out and then having an embarassing moment, but we will get there some day.
Agree. Since my commuter is about $200 on flat pedals, it starts to get more serious when the value goes up to my road bike on clipless pedals. I'm a bit more protective of carbon fiber frames.
It's easier to learn standing, because you can make larger balance adjustments moving the bike forward and back than you can seated. As your balance improves with lots of practice, you'll need smaller adjustments which you can do seated. You might even try balancing with hands off the bars. If you're on track bike on an actual track you have your front wheel pointed very slightly uphill, almost parallel to the track, and your back wheel 20 or 30cm to the right, up the slope. You can find a neutral position where the bike has almost no tendency to roll either way. At that point you can sit with little pressure on the pedals, and swing your knees for balance checks. That's how track sprinters can do long trackstands without fatiguing their legs.
A tandem sprinter told me that the stoker does most of the work. At the 1975 World Championships I saw the Polish and Russian tandem sprinters balance for 5-1/2 minutes! That blew my mind.
Taking a risk here. Back in the "olden days" of toe straps, track standing at a light was a very useful skill. Nowadays with clipless, I think it's just showing off.
Be careful when doing it at crossroads / traffic lights tho. If you trackstand to let other cars/cyclists/pedestrians cross they usually will look confused not realizing your intentions ;).
Once you find the balancing point of the bicycle. Standing up on a slight incline . Next practice using the front brake forward / backward axis . Now, practice balancing sitting. Focus on sifting your weight from your hips core minutely ever so slightly on the right/ left Axis. While sitting on the saddle, focus on sitting perfectly still . a form of meditation .
I’m always worried that I’ll fall over and crack my rather expensive frame. Good point re flat pedals but that’s a bit more faff than I’d want to put into it personally.
Me, too. I learned to tack stand about 45 years ago on a 1972 Schwinn Continental (still have it in the attic) while sitting. I wouldn't even try a track stand while standing up. Too much body movement. I don't even think about it when I stop for traffic lights or even long freight trains. I did fall over once years ago. Was on a club ride and I just fell to the side at a stop sign. I kept my feet clipped in and rolled over onto my back with my bike above me. My buddies were laughing. Bike didn't even touch the ground as I rolled over. I did need some help getting unclipped. ;-)
bicycle - Definition /ˈbʌɪsɪkl/ noun a vehicle consisting of two wheels held in a frame one behind the other, propelled by pedals and steered with handlebars attached to the front wheel. -if it’s not got 2 wheels… it’s not a bike. 😂
Can you track stand? 👀
Can you do it on the banking of a velodrome? I learned watching Nicho and Johhno balancing in Sprint races!
Of course.
no.
On a trike? Absolutely
For as long as needed!
I can trackstand for ever on my indoor bike. Zwift needs to establish an achievement badge for that.
😂😂
Hahahaha you'll have to teach us that one 👀
@@gcn warming up is hardest: do a lap or two on your indoor trainer in the livingroom. When your wife then tells you to stop fooling around you can come to the trackstand and look at her with a broad grin.
Legend😅
Me too!!! For ages
It would be great to see a “learning to track stand” video with people who can’t already do it and perhaps some with questionable balance - a group of beginners. TY!
Oooo nice thinking! Do you think it's a skill that all beginner riders should learn?
@@gcnyes please !!!
@@gcnyes, it builds confidence in your bike handling
"You can do it with any bike having two wheels". With Hank's great experience with recumbent bikes, I want to see it next time on a recumbent!
GCN please make this happen!!!!
The challenge has been set ... Watch this space 👀
"you can do it on any bike having two wheels"
Top tip, it's actually much easier to learn on a tricycle. We have a trike at work and it's super easy to trackstand on!
I learned to trackstand out of necessity. When I was in my early 20's I lost my driver's license for about three years and cycled everywhere. I agree with everything you guys said but a couple more skills to learn along with this is learning to turn a very tight circle. Many times lights at large intersections can hold for a couple of minutes. If you lose your balance doing a trackstand you can simply turn a tight circle and start again. One more thing I learned is letting the bike roll backwards then inch back forward on the brakes. Practice practice practice!
You said it! Practice practice practice 🙌 - How long did it take you to learn the track stand?
I use that tight circle thing too. I just track stand so I don't have to unclip.
Ive watched a few trackstand vids, never seem to be able to perfect it. I can however, stay upright whilst moving extremely slow, so when i see red lights etc, move to right to stop cars overtaking, slow down several car lengths away so i can crawl with enough space to not have to stop before green. Also would love to lift both hands off handlebars. X
Hank was like a hovering kestrel head still, wings stabilising 👌🏻👌🏻
Nicely done
Last time I tried I fell down flat on tarmac.... never did again....I just unclip 😊
It took me ages to learn riding with hands off the bars. It would take me another round of ages to learn this! Lots of envy for you guys!
I found it much easier as a beginner to try this on a fixed wheel. Being able to naturally pedal backwards really helped me 'understand' balancing it.
And also, if you have to stop at red lights, you might as well have something to do.
Yeah but it isn't really a good thing to just go and buy a fixie just for learning the track stand
It's a fixed wheel must have skill, nothing looks cooler 🙌
I trackstand at lights all the time, and if I can't, I lean on a post or light standard. Why clip out when you don't have to?
It is fun to note that you folks in the UK do a "true track stand". Because you drive on the left and roads curve up to the right from the shoulder, you turn to the right when doing a track stand. This is the same direction needed on a "track" or velodrome. In most other countries, where we drive on the right side of the road, we learn to do a "reverse track stand" and turn to the left! When I visit a velodrome, my well-honed "reverse track stand" is of no value. One more reason to visit the UK: to practice a true track stand 🍻.
Loved the insight, would be the same here in Australia, thanks!
Learned to track stand when I was commuting every day through Honolulu. Lots of lights to practice at. I will say that an additional tool is to use a tilt of the frame (left or right). I've found that it's a little easier if I purposefully lean the bike frame in the opposite direction of the way I turn my front wheel (e.g., turn wheel left and slightly lean bike right). I probably started incorporating the tilt after I was comfortable with the things mentioned in this video.
Great tips! I'd suggest practicing on grass at a park or something. That way if you fall you have a soft landing and also you won't need to worry about cars, walkers, etc that may be passing by.
I started my track standing days we'll just say a wee bit ago using sidi shoes 2 bolt slotted cleats toe clips and straps it was much easier and faster than unstrapping and getting your foot out and than back in again. I 've seen some comments about not being able to do it or it will take forever to learn not true RELAX and remember your balance comes from your core don't over think it.
What I always struggle with is toe overlap. I'm a small build so the frames have a short wheelbase. Once I've got the wheel one side, if I have to go over to the other side, my foots in the way...
I'm well jealous of the guys who do track stands while we're waiting at traffic lights, I'll be studying this video.
Nicely done guys. There is nothing quite like track standing at a road junction & bombing away from traffic as they try & sort their gears out 😜🤭😁👍 it's all about practise, practise & more practise.
Been so long ago, I can't remember when I did my first one, it was fun & just happened I guess, like being able to spin a ball on your finger 👍
... or just flat shoes (rather than changing your pedals) ... when i was a kid i won a helmet at a local cycle race for the longest track stand of the day ...
I can slow speed maneuver, but hadn't got track standing down yet. I bicycle patrol, so this would be a good show off technique at work.😊
I'm no pro but I can track stand reasonably well & there's a few things I've found helpful that I don't see in the video:
The first, which is shown but not explained, is that the foot you put forward should be your dominant foot (if you do board sports you'll know, otherwise you'll just need to figure out which feels better in front), and the front wheel should be turned toward the side your dominant foot is on, at about 45 degrees. For example, since my dominant foot is my left, I track stand with my left foot forward and my bars turned to the left. This is the position you ideally maintain the whole track stand, so toe overlap actually isn't a factor as you won't need to spin your bars the other direction (or very much at all).
Another thing is that your gear choice (if applicable) makes a big difference. A track stand allows you to be stationary by balancing equal 'backward' and 'forward forces'-the uphill pulling you backward, and your dominant foot pressing on the crank pushing you forward. When these forces are in equilibrium, you'll be stationary. Being in a low gear will make it much easier to make instant corrections to the forward/backward balance (since the bike will accelerate much easier), but, as a tradeoff, it will make the balance very sensitive to your inputs at the crank. Conversely, a high gear makes it harder to instantaneously correct the forward/backward balance, but allows for a smoother, less twitchy track stand if done well.
I'd also add that it's easiest to learn on a somewhat (but not overly) steep incline, and work your way down to shallower inclines from there. The steeper incline gives you more 'backward force,' so your forward control doesn't have to be as precise. With practice, you'll be able to to a track stand on the gentle slope of a road's edge, or even a well-placed imperfection in the road.
Lastly, there's nothing wrong with using brakes to negate the forward force you create with the cranks, but the real medicine is to learn to ease off the cranks. I find that I almost never touch my brakes-instead fully dropping my crank force to zero and allowing myself to slow down & roll backward.
Always able to track stand way better when I practice indoors than when out on the road. Guess the turbo MAY have something to do with that....
I suggest using non-clipless shoes to start with because you're probably going to be putting a foot down quite a bit when first learning. Also, never mind a track stand, I'd just like to know how so many can remain sitting on their saddle while putting one foot at the ground! My legs/feet don't reach unless I lean the bike over or slide one butt cheek off the saddle. Maybe my feet or too short? I wear US11.
good tips ... I couldnt track stand... lets see if this can help to get this skill
Is there a blooper reel of this video?…😊
The two skills that I've learnt recently that have made trackstanding much easier have been first very small endos and second, very small fakeys.
If you can do a small endo, let your body weight move backwards and roll back ever so slightly into a fakey you have the two ingredients for a trackstand.
I recommend the Super Rider channel for a proper explanation.
I really need to practice this - I am terrible at slow speeds....fell off the bike twice last year and that was when I was stationary 😩
Slow speed crashes hurt more sometimes. No sliding just slamming into the ground.
Maybe it's totally obvious, but no one ever says that by turning your front wheel 30° or so to one side, front/rear motion becomes left/right balance checks. That's how it works. Point your front wheel up a slope, often the crown of the road, and have the pedal on that side forward to avoid pedal overlap. Track and UK riders point their wheel to the right, roadies in most other countries turn to the left.
Loved this, however I don’t fancy getting my teeth capped just yet!
Does it count if my training wheels are still on?
Excellent vid from the Ginormous Leprechaun and Son-of-Hanks-Dad!!!
track stand is one of the biggest flex as a cyclist.
I've never seen Hank concentrating or so serious looking before!
My Coach (back in the 70's) fined us a quarter (USD) each time we didn't put a foot down at a traffic light, or stop sign. The fines became part of the Holiday Party Fund.
Vehicle traffic always freak out when I track stand at a light or stop sign. They seem to be confused about my intentions of stopping or going.
"You can track stand on any bike with 2 wheels!!" Hank ignores Tom Last's epic, unbeaten track stand in the GCN cheap bike challenge atop his steadily collapsing tricycle.
Can I track stand with my commuter bike that has a basket in the back and some other knicknacks on the handlebar?
No, that's the only exception!
ofc you can! :D
Mine are pretty OK on the commuter with flat pedals - and I already scored some appreciating nods from other cyclists and drivers - but I somehow lack the confidence to apply this to my road bike. I think my biggest fear is tilting over to the side I'm not used to clip out and then having an embarassing moment, but we will get there some day.
Agree. Since my commuter is about $200 on flat pedals, it starts to get more serious when the value goes up to my road bike on clipless pedals. I'm a bit more protective of carbon fiber frames.
where is the brake cables at?
I came looking for Hank doing the no handed track stand.
with toe overlap…
how many X more difficult is this?
Would like to see that, presenter vs presenter.
Genuinely not sure who’d come out winning that.
I saw that you were always standing on the pedals. Is it possible to track stand also when seated, or would you recommend always standing?
It's easier to learn standing, because you can make larger balance adjustments moving the bike forward and back than you can seated. As your balance improves with lots of practice, you'll need smaller adjustments which you can do seated. You might even try balancing with hands off the bars. If you're on track bike on an actual track you have your front wheel pointed very slightly uphill, almost parallel to the track, and your back wheel 20 or 30cm to the right, up the slope. You can find a neutral position where the bike has almost no tendency to roll either way. At that point you can sit with little pressure on the pedals, and swing your knees for balance checks. That's how track sprinters can do long trackstands without fatiguing their legs.
Всегда хотел научится трек стендить но что-то не получается пока с дивана
I've always wanted to learn how to stand for a track, but I can't do it from the couch.
I'm only 16 and mastered it 😅
Track standing is a great way to get blown over and fall. Better investment of practice time is clipping in quickly.
I thought I was good at this until my buddy sent me this video.
3:45 best
I want to know how many takes this took to record 😂😂🚴♂️💨
Track standing on the sidewalk to let old ladies pass is a classy move that will earn you compliments.
How about all GCN presenters competing against each other?
It‘s the end of the video and, despite Hank‘s promise, I can’t do it yet. 😬
I don't think I'm ever going to be able to do this - not ever. Nope. Not a chance, not even with your tips. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
But can Hank track stand on a Penny Farthing? I think that's a video in the making.
We now ride Tandem.... track-standing is haaaarrrrrddd
A tandem sprinter told me that the stoker does most of the work. At the 1975 World Championships I saw the Polish and Russian tandem sprinters balance for 5-1/2 minutes! That blew my mind.
Taking a risk here. Back in the "olden days" of toe straps, track standing at a light was a very useful skill. Nowadays with clipless, I think it's just showing off.
Good point👉
It's fun to practice and who wouldn't want to get better at handling their bike? No need to dismiss it as showing off
I can just put my foot down. Have at it though😅
Be careful when doing it at crossroads / traffic lights tho.
If you trackstand to let other cars/cyclists/pedestrians cross they usually will look confused not realizing your intentions ;).
Just WHY? It doesnt make you faster off when the lights change to green.
Really useful but I wouldn't risk it in an area with heavy traffic.
Once you find the balancing point of the bicycle. Standing up on a slight incline .
Next practice using the front brake forward / backward axis .
Now, practice balancing sitting.
Focus on sifting your weight from your hips core minutely ever so slightly on the right/ left Axis. While sitting on the saddle, focus on sitting perfectly still . a form of meditation .
Now off for a mug of Bovril
0:44 best
Stay relaxed not tense? Did you see your buddy's face when you said that?😂😂😂
Toe overlap... toeverlap?
Side note: how is Conor born and raised in Ireland, but has almost no Irish accent?
Pro tip: Practice on the turbo trainer and you’ll track stand like a pro the first time!
Recommend not trying it in central London: easiest way to get tapped by a cabbie or abused by pedestrians
So cringey, love it xd
I’m always worried that I’ll fall over and crack my rather expensive frame. Good point re flat pedals but that’s a bit more faff than I’d want to put into it personally.
i find it easier to trackstand when sitting for some reason. Its more stable (?)
Remember to calm your breath!
Whattt hahahhahaha, while sitting????
Much easier because of lower centre of mass
Me, too. I learned to tack stand about 45 years ago on a 1972 Schwinn Continental (still have it in the attic) while sitting. I wouldn't even try a track stand while standing up. Too much body movement. I don't even think about it when I stop for traffic lights or even long freight trains. I did fall over once years ago. Was on a club ride and I just fell to the side at a stop sign. I kept my feet clipped in and rolled over onto my back with my bike above me. My buddies were laughing. Bike didn't even touch the ground as I rolled over. I did need some help getting unclipped. ;-)
Yes I've always done it sitting. Also have no problem doing it on the level.
If you have really good balance you need only very small corrections, which you can do seated.
Too easy for pro cyclists!
Why not do the video using somebody who can’t already do it 🤔, ask them what helps. Hank and Connor probably learnt 20 years ago.
but learn it sitting down like a real man....
There has to be at least some out takes from this video, come on.
RIP GCN. Things must be bad if this is the only content they can come up with….
they have other videos
How much does GCN pay Google to promote this tired content?
i refuse to watch any video which has a thumbnail of Hank doing the typical surprised/over-excited youtuber face...GCN is better than that
Everything is not for everyone. I am a cyclist, but I will never try this.
Clipless pedals are a useless scam (donCRY) should have flats anyway....unless you're trying to be cool and fit in🤣
I've done all my riding all my life on flat pedals and never felt it has held me back.
Must be running out of content ideas 🤦🏻♂️
Doing a wheelie and riding no handed incoming
My thoughts too
The downfall of GCN has been predicted to happen this year.
bicycle - Definition
/ˈbʌɪsɪkl/
noun
a vehicle consisting of two wheels held in a frame one behind the other, propelled by pedals and steered with handlebars attached to the front wheel.
-if it’s not got 2 wheels… it’s not a bike. 😂