been trying to skid and just had a bad Wipeout on some asphalt. would like to try to avoid it. I got foot retention for the pedals im pushing back with 1 foot and up on the other but when I put my weight forward, feel really sketchy to do, it doesn't work all the time. I tried shifting my body up and lower and tried to do the balls to stem method just now and will thoughas I mentioned hit the dirt. bike took it pretty
by Broke_Watch
19 Comments
Leave some seatpost for the rest of us lol
I plant my push down leg really hard against the seat tube and whip the back end out in the direction I am pushing. If that makes sense. I never skid in a straight line just balls to stem going straight. Thats dangerous and ineffective. Kind of turn into it as well. I hope that all makes sense I am pretty baked and worked all night.
I’ve never done balls to stem, seems sketchy to me.
As other poster said, I do tend to try and whip it though 🙂
Practice on some grass or wet pavement. It’s a matter of timing and commitment. You’ll pick it up.
Grab the bars and focus on holding yourself up by the handlebars, then think about kicking your rear leg behind you like a horse, this will drive the right muscles
Don’t literally go balls to the stem, just try stading up from the pedals while shifting your weight onto the bars first, no sprinting, just ride like that and get used to it
Then get a little speed and kick back
Sit at the very back of your low rider saddle and jam that front brake on as hard as you can.
Front wheel skids are a thing, right?
You may be experiencing troubles because your skid patches aren’t developed at all. Just keep working at it and try practicing when the ground is wet.
go as forward as you can. crotch on bars
watch some terry b/foad videos
Bullhorns are the best way I found to get to trust throwing your body weight over the top of your stem and bars. And practice is key also try to learn both legs not just your dominant one to break, but you have the basics anyway just keep riding
Bullhorns give a nice level platform to balance your upper body. The weight shift from your hips should be forward and down a little. Sorry for the course language, but you want to powerfully “hump” the stem. That that point your center of gravity is in front of the centerline on the bottom bracket. Lift up with the forward foot, down with the rear and find equilibrium.
Also a reverse wheelie, meaning you almost pop up the rear wheel can help break traction. The you lock your legs as described above and ride it out.
All of this to say, most of skidding is in the hips.
Definitely trial and error gotta find the spot were ya comfortable with the pedals and straps are a must. Just keep trying you’ll find your spot 👍
Try learning to do a track stand and also some baby hops and getting the bike tire up, even if it’s barely off the ground that will be a huge help. And getting the back tire up means shifting your weight forward especially at first. But a big part is learning to move your feet in your pedals. Personally I have a front brake which helps a lot in getting that initial little break free of the back tire. Essentially what your doing is getting the tire free from the ground and then stopping it and then skidding. You aren’t just stopping. Well technically you are but that’s way harder. Really it’s a hop and then landing on the ground with your tire stopped and then because of mine then you’re skidding. Or at least that’s what makes it easier.
Quick tip. Lean your weight forward, doesn’t have to be crotch to the stem. And the locking of feet should be at about 4 o’clock and 10 o’clock if that makes sense! Whichever your dominant foot is should be at about 4, which is past horizontal. Much easier to hold it that way.
One thing that helped me is to bring your knees inward to the top tube. I’m not sure why but it made a big difference.
Hop as you skid.
Right as the cranks become level, use the balls of your feet to kinda hop (you don’t have to come off the ground, just fully unweight the rear wheel for a split-second). In that moment of weightlessness, lock your legs. It can help to pinch your knees inward a bit, like you’re trying to squeeze the top tube (but don’t actually touch it).
Don’t fight the rotation to skid, unweight the wheel to stop and just hold it there. Also I would NOT suggest doing the “whip skid” (kick it sideways) or the balls-to-stem stuff until you’re much better, that’s terrible advice and you’ve already wrecked once.
Keep steady, centered, and strong- just hop up a bit to start the skid. That’s it, that’s the secret.
Change ya draws afterward
Smollrr chainring
What’s your gear ratio? Certain ratios will just absolutely shred tires because of having so few skid patches. Some combinations only have a single skid patch if you can’t skid ambidextrously.
Practice in the rain or on wet roads. It can feel almost impossible to break traction the first time.