Balance! Newbie

[TKimbirk]

Hey All,

I’m new and struggling with balance. I rode for the 1st time today. Two issues right now.

1. I’m generally swerving all over the place. I’m thinking I’m just not used to steering enough with my core? Also probably focused on the front wheel too much. Suggestions?

2. I am struggling on short steep hills. I slow down and tend to dive to the right. Then I struggle getting going again. Honestly it feels like starting for a full stop is impossible? That cannot be right?

I’m on the S40. Ditched the cleats for now and using flats. It was an incredible full body workout. I can’t wait to figure this out a little bit.

 

[Robert Holler]

1. More relaxing and less focus on the "push/pull/steer" thing. Just relax and gentile leverage forward with both hands - no white knuckle grip or pulling needed. Smooth on the pedals. Being in the right gear helps. Low gear for starting from a dead stop if you aren't "Flintstone roll" starting.

2. Anticipate what gear you need. Mostly though, to get good on the hills you have to ride the hills - leg strength development. It's like weightlifting at this point. On. my local route there were a few steep hills I had to walk up when I first started riding after 20 feet before I teakettles over on the side. Now I go up those same hills, but it took a few seasons to get there. If something for me is literally just too steep.... it is what it is and I walk... no amount of low gearing is going to get up a hill faster than walking - when you can walk faster than you can ride said hill.

 

[RojoRacing]

If you're still learning, then stay off the hills and focus on practicing on the flats. It's not uncommon to focus your riding while learning to a much smaller and idealistic area within your normal riding area. Once you gain balance and skill, you can venture further out into your normal stomping grounds.

 

[TKimbirk]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Boreen bimbler]

Look up the road to where you are heading and aim to get there in a straight line and not at the front end of the bike. Relax and take it easy. And practice in a car park at first.
It all sounds obvious but you can easily overthink it. You are teaching your body and mind something completely different so it takes time and practice. As you said your using different muscles too.
I've been riding bikes for 50 years, BMX (badly) for around 30 of them and it took me a good while to become relaxed and get the cruzbike going properly.
Good luck.

 

[Hipwr1]

Hey All,

I’m new and struggling with balance. I rode for the 1st time today. Two issues right now.

1. I’m generally swerving all over the place. I’m thinking I’m just not used to steering enough with my core? Also probably focused on the front wheel too much. Suggestions?

2. I am struggling on short steep hills. I slow down and tend to dive to the right. Then I struggle getting going again. Honestly it feels like starting for a full stop is impossible? That cannot be right?

I’m on the S40. Ditched the cleats for now and using flats. It was an incredible full body workout. I can’t wait to figure this out a little bit.

I am a ‘newbie’ as well and I won’t even consider hills yet - I too am wobbly and having trouble with the steering concept - one of the forum members suggested short, daily 20-30 min sessions and then think about what improves. I am just getting started and am already feeling a little more relaxed about riding. The “white knuckle” advice everyone talks about is very true - don’t death-grip the bars
I am there with you !!!!

 

[RAR2]

Hey All,

I’m new and struggling with balance. I rode for the 1st time today. Two issues right now.

1. I’m generally swerving all over the place. I’m thinking I’m just not used to steering enough with my core? Also probably focused on the front wheel too much. Suggestions?

2. I am struggling on short steep hills. I slow down and tend to dive to the right. Then I struggle getting going again. Honestly it feels like starting for a full stop is impossible? That cannot be right?

I’m on the S40. Ditched the cleats for now and using flats. It was an incredible full body workout. I can’t wait to figure this out a little bit.

Six weeks of practice before I went out into the world. Parking lots with no cars is perfect. Definitely flats and walking shoes. Get comfortable first then go out. When you can "relax into the bike" you're ready.

 

[SurvivorBicyleAddict]

Hi.
Welcome to the new ride. I bought my first bike not too long ago and it is a different ride altogether.
I definitely agree with the suggestions: 20-30 minutes/day; safe space; look where you want to go; train the muscle groups you are not so noticiably using, that is until now. I found it frustrating in the begining, training my brain to do something unfamiliar usually does that, and now I can ride 15 plus miles straight without major concerns. Now I am installing water bottle cages and a rack so I can do longer rides.
Keep practicing - you will get better.

 

[Mike Cassera]

Get to clip-in pedals as soon as possible. It will make a big difference.

 

[Greg S]

I think you’ll find it easier to not use your core/pull on the bars when first learning. When climbing, focus on keeping your arms/hands relaxed and generate power by pushing against the seat. It’s too hard as a beginner to generate just the right amount of force on the bars and you end up pulling too hard on one side or the other which sends you off into the weeds. As you become more accustomed to the S40 you can begin to use your upper body more when climbing but for now it just adds another layer of complexity. Keep it simple.