Handling Tip: Skidding the Front Wheel

Normally, losing traction on the front wheel is a bad thing. Most cyclists have experienced that vertigo feeling when their front wheel washes out and they fall/slide to the ground. Slipping out is scary, but with training you can reduce your fear and learn what to do when you lose the front wheel.

In this post I will give you a simple drill you can practice in a safe but slippery environment to get used to what a skidding a front tire feels like.  

Obviously there are dangers associated with this drill, so, like, wear a helmet and don't practice it in traffic. 

Basically, what you're going to do is find a nice patch of gravel or snow or dirt, and you're going to stand up on your pedals and quickly squeeze the front brake as hard as you can so that the front wheel stops moving but you and the bike still push forward. 

Most sane cyclists will read that and think I'm nuts, because if you just grab the front brake full-force the bike will somersault. Well, yes, but that's why you practice on a low-traction surface and stand on your pedals, lowering the center of gravity. Also, you'll want to have as much weight as possible off the front wheel, with your butt hanging behind the saddle if you can. Oh, and make sure whatever ground you're practicing on is consistent. If you suddenly regain traction while skidding the bike will buck you. 

I usually practice on gravel, but one nice thing about snow is that you don't have to be going as fast to do a long, controlled skid. I recommend practicing on lots of different terrain so you can feel how the bike handles in different situations. 

Now when the front wheel starts skidding you will notice a few things:

1. You can't turn and the bike will keep going straight no matter where the bars are pointing

2. The bike wants to fall over

3. The front fork might vibrate or shutter

4. Your tires will make strange noises

Think hard about everything you notice -sights, sounds, and feelings- while you're in a controlled slide. When you're in a real-world slide situation these sounds, sights, and sensations will alert you to what's going on and the muscle memory you learned in practice will help you get out of it safely. 

Obviously, start small. Lock up the front wheel for a fraction of a second at a time, always while headed straight. When I was first learning I used to let the skid take me to a full stop, but I wouldn't suggest that because you're more likely to fall over the slower you go. I just lock it for a second then resume rolling. As you get braver, try skidding longer. Don't touch the rear brake, it'll just complicate things. 

Once you get real brave you'll be tempted to try locking the front up while turning. Good. You should practice turning skids, but keep in mind that if you do, the bike WILL end up horizontal. Keep your inside foot off the pedal so that when the bike skids you can catch yourself. Also, DO NOT try to regain traction when you're in a sliding turn. Suddenly regaining traction, as stated before, will cause the bike to buck you. When you get bucked while turning it's called a "high-side" and it's a good way to break your collarbone. 

I should also say that a few hours before writing this post did a little "high-sideing" myself. I was slipping down the backside of a small berm and then sunk into the deep snow on the other side. Luckily, I landed in a snow bank and didn't get hurt. My bike suffered a bent brake lever. Unluckily, I didn't film it. 

Here is a lil tutorial video I made about skidding the front end. Enjoy!