What’s the Trick to Standing Steadily on a Bike?

Question: I see other cyclists pedal standing, and they seem to power up hills. But I can’t stand and balance at the same time. I feel like I’m about to fall over in a heap. Any suggestions? — Ali N.

Coach Fred Matheny Replies: Standing is a fairly natural skill, but it still takes practice. Use a lightly traveled road with a wide shoulder and steady grade.

The trick is to pull up on the handlebar with your right hand when your right foot is pushing down (and left hand for left foot).

The force you’re exerting on either pedal tends to make the bike lean to that side. You need to counteract this by pulling up. The result should be a rhythmic rocking.

Don’t overdo it. Let it be natural, and soon you’ll get the feel.

Another tip: Don’t lean too far forward.

For proper balance, your hips should stay approximately over the saddle and your shoulders should stay behind a vertical line drawn from the front hub.

Fred Matheny

Coach Fred Matheny is an RBR co-founder who has four decades of road cycling and coaching experience. He has written 14 eBooks and eArticles on cycling training, available in RBR’s eBookstore at Coach Fred Matheny, including the classic Complete Book of Road Bike Training, which includes 4 eBooks comprising 250 pages of timeless, detailed advice and training plans. The Complete Book is one of the many perks of an RBR Premium Membership. Click to read Fred's full bio.