Body position and stability
#1
Body position and stability
In one of Keith Code's articles titled, Body position, he talks about his first "law" of body positioning which is "Stability Comes in Pairs. Bike and rider stability are always paired―rider instability transfers directly to the bike."
What do you think he means when he says that rider instability transfers directly into the bike? What kinds of things can show up in someones riding if they are unstable on their bike?
The full article can be found here:
What do you think he means when he says that rider instability transfers directly into the bike? What kinds of things can show up in someones riding if they are unstable on their bike?
The full article can be found here:
#2
#3
exactly. So what can a rider do to ensure that he/she is stable on their bike so there is less instability with the machine?
#4
#5
So how exactly might you use your lower body to support yourself and get the weight off your arms? What are some tips and techniques to allow you to be the most relaxed with your arms/hands and why is that good for the bike?
#6
Well most of the time i still have to tell myself 'hey dumbass, let go!' but keeping yourself supported with your lower body keeps your weight more centralized on the bike, especially under braking.
This last weekend I was at BFR, and found that the front was less jittery(best way I could describe) under hard braking when I supported by body with my knees instead of the bars, plus the rear didnt come up and bounce around as much
This last weekend I was at BFR, and found that the front was less jittery(best way I could describe) under hard braking when I supported by body with my knees instead of the bars, plus the rear didnt come up and bounce around as much
#7
#8
Rider instability is also what makes slow speed maneuvering so difficult for new riders. When I took the MSF course the instructor did two demos of a slow u-turn in the box, one with his weight supported by his hands on the bars, and the other with his weight supported with his lower body by gripping the bike with thighs and knees. Even with 20 years of riding experience, the first u-turn was wobbly with an erratic arc, but once he relaxed his arms and did it the second time while gripping the bike with his legs it was smooth as butter. Sure enough, after I tried it myself slow speed maneuvering became a breeze.
#9
Rider instability is also what makes slow speed maneuvering so difficult for new riders. When I took the MSF course the instructor did two demos of a slow u-turn in the box, one with his weight supported by his hands on the bars, and the other with his weight supported with his lower body by gripping the bike with thighs and knees. Even with 20 years of riding experience, the first u-turn was wobbly with an erratic arc, but once he relaxed his arms and did it the second time while gripping the bike with his legs it was smooth as butter. Sure enough, after I tried it myself slow speed maneuvering became a breeze.
#10
Well most of the time i still have to tell myself 'hey dumbass, let go!' but keeping yourself supported with your lower body keeps your weight more centralized on the bike, especially under braking.
This last weekend I was at BFR, and found that the front was less jittery(best way I could describe) under hard braking when I supported by body with my knees instead of the bars, plus the rear didnt come up and bounce around as much
This last weekend I was at BFR, and found that the front was less jittery(best way I could describe) under hard braking when I supported by body with my knees instead of the bars, plus the rear didnt come up and bounce around as much
Now someone asked about moving across the bike from side to side, what are some methods that you can use to remain stable with your lower body WHILE moving across the bike?