Drifting is a separate direction in cycling and involves entering a controlled skid. It is particularly popular among Americans, as well as throughout Europe and Australia.
The innovation arose with the development of motorsports. The first official drifting competitions were organized in Japan. This hobby gradually spread among riders who were ready to create an appropriate vehicle for impressive bicycle stunts.
Only virtuoso riders are allowed to enjoy drifting. For owners of other bikes, such an activity can cost lives.
What kind of bike is suitable?
Those wishing to drifting on a bicycle purchase a special variety or make it on their own – a three-wheeled bike. An alternative name, known throughout the world DriftTrike.
This type of bicycle model has a number of characteristic features.
- The seat is in the form of a special chair with a back. It is located at the same level as the wheels. The exact position of the saddle is adjusted under each rider individually.
- The bike for drifting has no pedals, as they are meaningless in drifting activities. The maximum speed that can be achieved by pedaling is about 30 kilometers per hour. All tricks are performed at 60 kilometers per hour and above.
- The lower limbs of the cyclist are placed on special supports, which are located on the front fork area. This allows you to control the steering wheel using not only your hands, but also your feet.
- Bicycles for drifting are characterized by the small size of the wheel. The front rim can be compared in size to two-wheeled vehicles for children. In extremely rare cases, wheels larger than 20 inches are used.
The dimensions of the two rims behind are even smaller. Rubber is not used. The diameter is 3 to 4 inches, depending on the model of the drift bike.
Where to train
Drifters in most cases train on special grounds with asphalt surface. After they master their skills many people want to show off their skills and go to parks and squares.
People engaged in bike drifting lift the bike uphill. Often an automobile vehicle is used for this purpose.
Not every car owner agrees to take a drift bike to tow, some buy trikes with a motor to climb the mountain sections without problems.
During the descent at high speed riders perform various tricks, enter the turn under a strong roll, go spinning or specially looped from side to side.
The learning process takes a long time, but after that you can show really impressive tricks.
What’s worth remembering
A beginner who wants to do bicycle drifting needs to understand that it is very different from standard bicycle riding. Knowing how to pedal and hold on to the handlebars in time is not enough.
Drifting is considered an extreme hobby and often ends in injury. There are known cases of fatalities.
Before you begin your lessons, you will first need to buy the appropriate protective equipment.
If a normal rider rides without knee pads and a helmet, it is tolerable. However, when the drifter cyclist forgets to use the equipment, it can result in serious injury. If there are small potholes during the descent the trike will overturn, without proper equipment a person can crash.
The second rule, which is observed by all experienced riders – drifters, is the prohibition of drifting on the track. It is the rider’s personal business to put his or her life at risk, but it is forbidden to create emergency situations on the road.
There is no distinction in the rules of the road between trail bikes and regular two-wheelers, but drift bikes remain a vehicle and must obey all traffic regulations.