How long can you idle?

Luderart · 2011-07-27, 04:25 PM

For how long or how many times can you idle non-stop? How long should I be able to idle before I can be said to have learned to idle?

Mikefule · 2011-07-27, 04:44 PM

As long as you need to! Once you can idle for 50 or 100 pedal strokes, it's just a case of relaxing into it. Then you can go on for ages.

davidp · 2011-07-27, 04:44 PM

Using the IUF skill levels as a guide line, 25 times should do it (with one idle being a complete back and forth motion of the wheel).

harper · 2011-07-27, 05:05 PM

I'm still idling.

MuniOrBust · 2011-07-28, 12:25 AM

When I was learning last year, I went for 100.
I doubt I can do 100 with my other foot though.

100 Idles - YouTube

King Of Suede · 2011-07-28, 02:11 AM

I have a problem of not being able to put my weight on the seat while idling, making one foot idling impossible!

I don't know, as soon as I realize I'm putting more weight on my bottom foot and put my weight back on the seat, I instantly fall.

But normally, I can idle long enough for the light to turn green, I'd say maybe 10 or 20 times? If I could get to 50, I feel like I'd have lead legs

Dane M · 2011-07-28, 02:16 AM

I'm not sure how long I can idle for, but I always practice on elevator rides

johnfoss · 2011-07-28, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuniOrBust

100 Idles - YouTube

Thanks for the warning! I think I'll watch my grass grow instead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Of Suede

I have a problem of not being able to put my weight on the seat while idling, making one foot idling impossible!

If your seat is really low it will make idling harder, especially if you also have long cranks (like a typical Trials/Street setup). Raise your seat up and you'll see why the Freestylers mostly ride with high seats.

I can idle indefinitely, either foot. This is a good skill for anyone to learn, as it can be useful in all sorts of situations. I was once in a TV commercial for a local store in Detroit (can't remember what store), where my job was to be idling in the background on my 6'. I was up there for a cumulative 6 hours or so.

Never again.

Flyjeffva · 2011-07-28, 12:16 PM

John Foss, can you idle indefinitely on at 36er? That seems really hard. I can idle pretty well on my 24, but no way on the 36.

BeholdTheClownfish · 2011-07-28, 10:50 PM

I can comfortably idle as long as I need to on any of my uni's (20 24 and 7 foot giraffe). It just gets easier with time, if you can idle now it get more and more comfortable with time.

johnfoss · 2011-07-28, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyjeffva

John Foss, can you idle indefinitely on at 36er? That seems really hard. I can idle pretty well on my 24, but no way on the 36.

Let's just say I can definitely idle on a 36er. But I don't. It's doable, but not particularly useful or enjoyable. Especially with really short cranks, or in high gear!

King Of Suede · 2011-07-29, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnfoss

If your seat is really low it will make idling harder, especially if you also have long cranks (like a typical Trials/Street setup). Raise your seat up and you'll see why the Freestylers mostly ride with high seats.

Thanks, I went riding with my seat as high as I can put it (I'm 6', riding a 20") and idling felt a lot better and in control. I felt like it took more effort to ride though, I even added more pressure to my tire but still felt like I had to us my legs more. Oh well, guess I'll have to find that happy medium

knoxuni · 2011-07-29, 01:15 AM

I can idle till i get bored

harper · 2011-07-29, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harper

I'm still idling.

....still idling...

juggleaddict · 2011-07-30, 03:12 PM

I think I can idle one foot longer than a normal idle : / it seems to take less energy. It comes down to how long you're willing to sit there and pedal back and forth, and not so much how difficult it is.

2011-07-27, 04:25 PM	#1
Luderart Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lebanon Posts: 105	How long can you idle? For how long or how many times can you idle non-stop? How long should I be able to idle before I can be said to have learned to idle?

2011-07-27, 04:44 PM	#2
Mikefule Roland Hope School of Unicycling Join Date: May 2002 Location: Long Bennington, Lincolnshire, England. Posts: 6,518	As long as you need to! Once you can idle for 50 or 100 pedal strokes, it's just a case of relaxing into it. Then you can go on for ages. __________________ "I try to avoid UPDs, not do scientific research on them." Bruce Dawson

2011-07-27, 05:05 PM	#4
harper 768 - It's in your DNA Join Date: Sep 2001 Age: 60 Posts: 8,578	I'm still idling. __________________ -Greg Harper Destroying the climate by shutting down nuclear power plants, one by one, since 1979. JC is the only main man. There can be no other. "A fool on a unicycle is redundant" - J.D. Miller

2011-07-28, 02:16 AM	#7
Dane M Muni Crash Test Dummy Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: US - Santa Barbara, CA Age: 23 Posts: 2,552	I'm not sure how long I can idle for, but I always practice on elevator rides __________________ It's not as steep as it looks, just go! www.DaneMehlPhotography.com www.YouTube.com/DaneUni

2011-07-28, 10:50 PM	#10
BeholdTheClownfish Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 13	I can comfortably idle as long as I need to on any of my uni's (20 24 and 7 foot giraffe). It just gets easier with time, if you can idle now it get more and more comfortable with time. __________________ 2003 KH24 Miyata Flamingo 20" Nimbus Performer Giraffe

2011-07-27, 04:44 PM	#3
davidp Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chelmsford, MA Age: 33 Posts: 710	Using the IUF skill levels as a guide line, 25 times should do it (with one idle being a complete back and forth motion of the wheel).

2011-07-28, 02:11 AM	#6
King Of Suede Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Hatboro/Bethlehem, PA Age: 20 Posts: 201	I have a problem of not being able to put my weight on the seat while idling, making one foot idling impossible! I don't know, as soon as I realize I'm putting more weight on my bottom foot and put my weight back on the seat, I instantly fall. But normally, I can idle long enough for the light to turn green, I'd say maybe 10 or 20 times? If I could get to 50, I feel like I'd have lead legs

2011-07-28, 12:16 PM	#9
Flyjeffva Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dublin, Virginia, USA Age: 54 Posts: 55	John Foss, can you idle indefinitely on at 36er? That seems really hard. I can idle pretty well on my 24, but no way on the 36.

2011-07-29, 01:15 AM	#13
knoxuni wes style!! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: central ohio Age: 18 Posts: 4,803	I can idle till i get bored __________________ Kh 26: spirits, avid elixir 3 Nimbus 26: hookworm, hs33 24 muni: kh24 wheel moments no name frame Custom impact trials Kh/nimbus trials Torker tx 3learners

2011-07-30, 03:12 PM	#15
juggleaddict late-night rider Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Atlanta, Ga Age: 24 Posts: 623	I think I can idle one foot longer than a normal idle : / it seems to take less energy. It comes down to how long you're willing to sit there and pedal back and forth, and not so much how difficult it is. __________________ Steel is real! => I ride a Nimbus!

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