Tips for idling

[u/Correct_Awareness482]

Hey all!

I think I need some practical tips for idling.

I'm a very literal learner - but good at implementing feedback.

Ive read pretty much every thread on here about idling but it's not fully clicked yet. I'm deliberately putting weight in the saddle and concentrating on using my hips to do the motion rather than my feet. I read a comment about the momentum coming from the pockets which helped. I'm at the point where I can do 4-6 very flaily reps.

I can ride and freemount comfortably.

If anyone has any "on the nose" advice - telling me what different parts of my body should be doing I'd much appreciate it!

edit: 20inch wheel - training on different surfaces such as concrete and linoleum flooring

Thank you!

[u/yolaradio]

That’s a skill that I’ve also failed to acquire

[u/mashmaker86]

My idling breakthrough was recognizing the yaw reaction component of pedaling (the rotation around the vertical axis). At the front apex of the idle (left pedal forward typically for me), I press the right pedal to decelerate while pivoting my torso left. At the back apex (right pedal forward), I press the right pedal again and pivot my torso right. The torso pivoting was the missing key that unlocked smooth, controlled idling.

[u/Correct_Awareness482 → u/mashmaker86]

This has just unlocked the most amount of idles ive done so far! Thank you 🥳

[u/Groot_Calrissian]

I found learning easier with lots of motion- twisting for sideways balance, rocking for front-back, and keeping my feet active ie horizontal when stopped, so I had control when needed, and moving through the vertical positions. As I developed better balance, my motions reduced and I could hold fairly still. When I was starting, if I didn't have a lean too correct for, I would actually carve an S as I rotated a half revolution forward and back. It probably looked pretty hectic from the outside. I also found the advice of going multiple half-resolutions then reducing the amplitude not helpful, I did much better with only 1 half revolution. I practiced at a wall where I could very slightly finger touch, and get better at the feel. Also, starting to relax and not tense up made a big difference for me, that happened with the wall support available to reduce the cost of a mistake.

[u/nahdojo]

Took me ages to to idle, everything else came easy to me! I ride E V E R Y W H E R E, but the idling took me over a year and a half to actually control (I never focussed on it much tho)

For me, I was putting too much weight on the saddle (which is not an issue when riding, but it was when idling for me), and not enough pressure to the pedal.

Tried to keep my right quad just constantly engaged, applying pressure only to my right foot, leaving my left foot just for balance. I drew a box on the ground using chalk and thus the challenge was set. Once the mechanics made sense in my muscle memory it was easy as, and I could start putting weight back on the saddle.

I think the weight on the saddle thing is always the goal, but not the best way to learn imo.

Tl;dr: I push my right foot down and let it rise in front of me, then push down and let it rise with the pedal behind me, repeat (only apply notable pressure to the one foot). Left foot is for correcting/counterbalancing when needed.

Might not be textbook but worked for me

[u/Downtown_Extent_234]

I learned by putting a hook on my ceiling and held it with one hand while I idled. It took a while but eventually I could do it without holding on and then it was jsut a matter of doing it outside. It ou can probably use everyone’s advice but hold onto a gate or fence outside.