Rear wheel bunny-hop in a sprint

[submariner]

Really wierd thing happened to me today and I was wondering if anyone else has had the same experience...

Was in a the final bunch sprint at training, 90 degree right hand corner followed by about 100m sprint to the line up a slight incline.

Came around the corner in the right gear, got out of the saddle and put the power down. I was just starting to wind up, legs were feeling strong - when my rear wheel started hopping off the tarmac.

Very annoying as I lost a little bit of pace... still, just managed to keep my nose in front!

Anyone else come across this?

Is this finally the last piece of logic I need to convince the Mrs that I need a stiffer [read: newer more expensive] bike?

I'm 6'3" - 85kg's and riding a 2007 Specialized Tarmac Comp.

 

[Eva Maria]

Really wierd thing happened to me today and I was wondering if anyone else has had the same experience...

Was in a the final bunch sprint at training, 90 degree right hand corner followed by about 100m sprint to the line up a slight incline.

Came around the corner in the right gear, got out of the saddle and put the power down. I was just starting to wind up, legs were feeling strong - when my rear wheel started hopping off the tarmac.

Very annoying as I lost a little bit of pace... still, just managed to keep my nose in front!

Anyone else come across this?

Is this finally the last piece of logic I need to convince the Mrs that I need a stiffer [read: newer more expensive] bike?

I'm 6'3" - 85kg's and riding a 2007 Specialized Tarmac Comp.

Not uncommon.

Lower your **** and pull back on the bars

 

[submariner]

Thanks,

just heard the same sort of thing from another friend.

Generally it is the stiffer bikes/wheels that it happens on. Not the other way around like I thought.

So probably technique more than equipment - was told not to lean too far over the bars.

Lowering the derriere and pulling back on the bars was not mentioned so thank you I will give that a go.

 

[nightfend]

Pulling up on the front of the bars will force the rear wheel down. Just make sure you don't go overboard and start popping wheelies during the sprint.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

About 10 years ago I was coaching YCL (Youth Cycling League) with Joe Parkin and Tim Mulrooney, and we took video of all of our sprinting techniques to analyze how we could improve posture. Video doesn't lie, even helps seasoned sprinters get back into proper position. In my own case, I used to lean back too far and pull up on the bars too much in full gallop. Previous to taking the video I had lost 2 sprints due to front wheel skip always about 100m out.