Epic MTB riding skills - not a lot going round it seems :-)

[porqui]

PLeeeeaase someone tell me why none of them have dropper posts??

 

Is it a man thing?

 

I would think that the benefit of lowering your CG on the downhill and tech sections would far outweigh the extra weight - how much more does a dropper weigh?

[Hilton.]

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/mtb-components/seat-posts/command-post-xcp

 

Specialized do the XCP with 35mm travel specifically for this kind of terrain. Weighs about 400 grams. So about 200 - 250 grams more than a light seatpost. Well worth it for those not gunning for the podium.

[RocknRolla]

I wonder what people did before dropper posts?

 

oh, yes, I suppose ride sections with proper skills, not relying on equipment to give the appearance of skills.

 

I reserve judgment on this section. There is not enough clear evidence to suggest that it's an easy to ride, run of the mill line.

 

The rocks that is on the right hand side of that Picture (where Mr Red is doing his desert scorpion progression) indicates there may be a very slippery section hidden by the loose dust that has been ground down by numerous riders before.

Ride over such a section, front wheel washing, panic setting in... and it's easy to see why so many riders did the scorpion there (although - none as comitted as Mr Red)

 

I have done an OTB twice, where I have gone through a tricky section in my mind while riding, before I actually complete the actions required to clear the obstacle. Afterwards thinking WTF hapened?

 

I would like to state that although a dropper post makes negotiating steep downs easier, and more controlled, it is no substitute for proper riding technique and skill.

[porqui]

I wonder what people did before dropper posts?

 

oh, yes, I suppose ride sections with proper skills, not relying on equipment to give the appearance of skills.

 

I would like to state that although a dropper post makes negotiating steep downs easier, and more controlled, it is no substitute for proper riding technique and skill.

 

You obviously do not have a dropper.

 

It has nothing to do with skill and everything to do with science.No matter how good/bad you are a lower CG is a benefit in many instances. For a top rider he could increase his speed and lower his risk. At the top you ride on the edge of your risk factor.

 

The technique and skill of the main manne are pretty similar.

[Rocket-Boy]

I think the problem was they used brakes, looks like a fun spot to let go and hold on!

[Skinnyone]

 

2) Have bike setups which were done by "scientists" for pedalling efficiency and don't even remotely take trail manoeuvrability into account.

 I think this point should be made no 1...too much emphasis on "I wanna go fast" rather than "I can actually ride over obstacles"

[Skinnyone]

Also the super aggressive "racing geometry" of the frames comes into play...again too much of "I wanna go fast"

[Headshot]

And it all boils down to the marathon epic mentality in SA that says lighter bigger wheeled bikes are what mountain biking is all about. Some of those guys have never even heard of a dropper post...

[Skubarra]

 I think this point should be made no 1...too much emphasis on "I wanna go fast" rather than "I can actually ride over obstacles"

 

 

Also the super aggressive "racing geometry" of the frames comes into play...again too much of "I wanna go fast"

 

But how many obstacles like this would Epic riders encounter on an average stage? Is it really enough to justify dropper posts and an "I can ride over gnarly stuff"-setup

[Raydek]

Hi, my name is Ray and I am addicted to my dropper post.. .Whether that makes me unskilled or not, a have fun when I ride!!

[nigelhicks]

And it all boils down to the marathon epic mentality in SA that says lighter bigger wheeled bikes are what mountain biking is all about. Some of those guys have never even heard of a dropper post...

 

Oh they have!!!... But it weighs 200g more than a carbon post - and is not "cool" for XC ... cus its a trail bike thing .... hahaha

[LazyTrailRider]

But how many obstacles like this would Epic riders encounter on an average stage? Is it really enough to justify dropper posts and an "I can ride over gnarly stuff"-setup

 

Yes.

[Skinnyone]

But how many obstacles like this would Epic riders encounter on an average stage? Is it really enough to justify dropper posts and an "I can ride over gnarly stuff"-setup

Agreed but you also don't need to have a super aggressive racing setup, I'm not saying that everyone needs a dropper - I have one and don't feel I need it all the time (I grew up racing rigid MTB's +-20years ago, so I like to think I have a bit of skill without all the toys)

 

at the end of the day to me it comes down to comfort over pure speed, if you are not going to light up the leader board then is a more "relaxed" setup gonna slow you down? over going OTB and busting out your scorpion impression and risk not finishing the first day?

[RocknRolla]

You obviously do not have a dropper.

 

It has nothing to do with skill and everything to do with science.No matter how good/bad you are a lower CG is a benefit in many instances. For a top rider he could increase his speed and lower his risk. At the top you ride on the edge of your risk factor.

 

The technique and skill of the main manne are pretty similar.

 

Nope, not dropper for me.

 

I am not qualified to "shred the gnar" or "huck it" over anything. I just ride my bike.

 

If the technicque and skill of the main manne are pretty similar, why do we even have races? Does it only boil down to luck?

[Eddy Gordo]

I think the problem was they used brakes, looks like a fun spot to let go and hold on!

Ja more front than rear maybe. Could be the front is on the wrong side of the bar!

[rudi-h]

don't know if its funny, sad or plain embarrassing...

 

after finishing the epic you are considered by most to be the IT of mountain biking...  good on Dr. Evil for for putting in a remotely technical section, hopefully it keeps things real for years to come!!