Riding very rocky single track

[dev null]

Hubbers

 

I have a problem I am trying to solve.  I really struggle riding very rocky single tracks like the one up in the mountain in this past weekend's Fine Breede.

 

I am currently on a 26er Dual Sus, Medium frame.  It feels like I constantly get my wheels stuck and then want to do OTB.  In fact, I did a spectacular OTB right in front of the medics at the top.  I lose to much speed, and then it gets even more tougher to negotiate the rocks.

 

Is this just riding technique, or is this also bike related?  Will going to a 29er make it much more easier?

 

BTW, I am 82kg, 1.82m tall.

[dirtypot]

I used to have the same issue and changing to a 29er helped a lot for sure.  The sections where I'd get stuck I suddenly just rolled over.

 

A dropper post could also help you a lot helping to get your body weight lower and further back.

[Paul Ruinaard]

29er will help but carrying more speed and confidence as well as being far off the back of the bike will help more.

 

You can learn the skills or use your wallet or both.

 

What about inflation of tyres and your suspension setup? And pressures?

 

This is really a skills and confidence issue more than a bike issue.

 

Guys on 26ers rode rocks before 29ers came along....

[dirtrider]

Nothing to do with the bike . The more you ride it the better you will get .

['Dale]

Other than maneuvering your weight on the bike.... As mentioned before:

 

There's wheel size

29" is proven better over obstacles.

 

There's also line choices

Are you glancing about a 10 meters ahead to check for the best route?

 

Then there's speed on the gradient

Are you carrying enough speed to roll over?

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Hubbers

 

I have a problem I am trying to solve. I really struggle riding very rocky single tracks like the one up in the mountain in this past weekend's Fine Breede.

 

I am currently on a 26er Dual Sus, Medium frame. It feels like I constantly get my wheels stuck and then want to do OTB. In fact, I did a spectacular OTB right in front of the medics at the top. I lose to much speed, and then it gets even more tougher to negotiate the rocks.

 

Is this just riding technique, or is this also bike related? Will going to a 29er make it much more easier?

 

BTW, I am 82kg, 1.82m tall.

Riding technique, as well as a result of riding a frame that is no doubt too small for you with a stem too long. At 1.82 you should definitely be on a large, and in some cases an xl depending on the frame. You're too far over the front, which places too much weight on the front wheel - a critical problem when it comes to rocky rocky stuff and your wheel gets caught.

 

Yes, yes - the pros often get around this but only by virtue of their skill levels.

 

Only way to alleviate it is to go faster, get your weight a bit further back and unweight the front when it comes to approaching the rocks. Scan ahead instead of in front and try to judge the lines.

 

Buy a shorter stem and it'll be easier to do, but you're still on the wrong size bike.

[stefmeister]

29ers sure helps, but it's more to do with technique.

 

Not sure if your issue is whilst climbing, descending or just overall?

When climbing rocky terrain, I find that getting out of the saddle helps a lot, especially when it's getting steep. Being able to control the bike underneath you, and having explosiveness to either pedal yourself or hop the bike over obstacles helps. 

 

Descending on rocky stuff is all technique, and body positioning. What works for me is a firmer fork, and/or with your weight more backwards to avoid having your shock diving and getting stuck between obstacles.

[Warren_G]

Large frame 29er, dropper post and more practice.

[Thermophage]

Hubbers

 

I have a problem I am trying to solve.  I really struggle riding very rocky single tracks like the one up in the mountain in this past weekend's Fine Breede.

 

I am currently on a 26er Dual Sus, Medium frame.  It feels like I constantly get my wheels stuck and then want to do OTB.  In fact, I did a spectacular OTB right in front of the medics at the top.  I lose to much speed, and then it gets even more tougher to negotiate the rocks.

 

Is this just riding technique, or is this also bike related?  Will going to a 29er make it much more easier?

 

BTW, I am 82kg, 1.82m tall.

Where have you ridden around CT that you consider to be very rocky ST? May help

[xcd]

The best advice I got was from reading an article on Gunn Rita Dahle when she became WC. She was asked what is the best way to negotiate rocks. Her answer... "Speed is your friend "

You can accelerate quicker on a 26" but once the wheels are rolling at a decent speed on a 29" it does go over rocks smoother.

[dev null]

My stem is 110mm, and my front wheel at 1.6 and rear wheel at 1.8 bar.

 

I used to be better until I had a bad fall a year back when I cracked a few ribs on rocks. Speed is definitely one issue, as I sometimes see some tough rocks coming and drop speed a bit.  I do look ahead far enough though.

[stefmeister]

Where have you ridden around CT that you consider to be very rocky ST? May help

Only place I would consider very rocky is upper canaries at Jonkers.

[Belgarath]

You have a dual sus, but my experience riding Magalies behind the house and riding at Misty Valley over those ridges was that 29er handled it better. Technique probably also has something to do with it, but as mentioned, think you should be on a large frame. I'm 1.78, and was told I'm on the limit  for my frame size.

 

EDIT: Stem is very long, probably because the frame is too small? I have an 80cm one.

[Thermophage]

Having a 29'r is not gonna make it easier if you problem is a mental thing.

[Thermophage]

Only place I would consider very rocky is upper canaries at Jonkers.

That's exactly why I ask 

There aren't any other rocky sections in Tygerberg MTB Club trails except perhaps for 5m of the Cobra

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

My stem is 110mm, and my front wheel at 1.6 and rear wheel at 1.8 bar.

 

I used to be better until I had a bad fall a year back when I cracked a few ribs on rocks. Speed is definitely one issue, as I sometimes see some tough rocks coming and drop speed a bit. I do look ahead far enough though.

Yep yep yep. Road setup on an mtb. Recipe for disaster as soon as you venture off the plaaspaie

 

It does become easier at speed, but you're definitely on the wrong frame size