Centrestanding Problem

[amethaelf]

I just cant seem to do this! I can get my bike off the centrestand, but when it comes to getting her back up there, I'm at a loss. Hubby stands behind the bike and gives it a big help up every time I try (which is every time I go out) which is about the only way it ever happens. I've been trying to do this since July last year. My old bike was a little easier but still I couldn't get it right up. My new girl Elf seems to have tighter springs or something because it seems much harder. I keep telling hubby to just let me get into a decent swing and she'll go up eventually but after much huffing and puffing, it still doesn't happen. I think my technique is wrong. I put my right hand right over onto the right handlebars but this seems to be too much of a stretch and makes everything feel very unbalanced. I would really love to get this sorted out, its frustrating having to get hubby to help me every time I get back in from a ride.

[ThickBrit]

Try watching this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTDCcQsDj2o

You probably know, but:
The knack is to stand on the lever. You shouldn't need to hold the right 'bar at all.
Use body weight rather than anything else. Hold the frame tube under the seat with your right hand.
Push the stand into the ground and stand on the lever whilst pulling upwards on the frame with your right.
Like you're trying to stretch the bike upwards?

And I was told never to sit on the bike to push it off the stand, the frame can get damaged with the extra weight of the rider.

HTH!

[Condor]

Sorry to hear you are still having that problem. But ThickBrit described exactly how it's done. Sometimes you just need to be a little taller to snap that beast up in place.
By holding the handle bar with your right hand, you lose all your lifting/pulling ability. I really believe if you follow how ThickBrit described, you will master this task. I know we have said this before, but you really don't need to put it up on the center stand, unless you want to work on it. Newer bikes don't even come with center stands anymore. Let us know how you make out.