Handling your mtn bike ...

[Slowbee]

Ok so after buying a mountain bike, and debating at length about buying a dual suspension over a hardtail, because one needs to 'learn" to handle a mtn bike and choose correct lines etc etc etc, I need some advice/help please.

 

We were riding at Elgin CC and while going up a *very!! * gentle slope in in a low gear the back wheel kept on sliding out to the side. Ya and of course clipped in you tend to fall, and then have to start all over again.

 

Is there any advice about why this happens and how I can avoid it??

 

(oh yes to those who did not see the buy, I got a dual in the end).

 

[PhilipV]

Sit down when pedalling uphill. Try to get more weght on the rear wheel. Or when it is slippery, try to say away from the side of the road where it is cambered down to allow the water to flow off the road. Oh, and ride this tipe of terrain as much as possible to develop a feel for it.

[linnega]

If your weight is too far forward your back wheel will lose traction and start to slide out.  Where it slides depends on the slop.  Try staying seated and moving your butt further back.  Also if the gear is too easy you will bounce as you pedal causing both wheels to lose a bit of traction.

[Slowbee]

thanks guys, yea I was sitting further back, suspension was not locked out. Maybe as Lin says gear was to small (i.e. need to get fitter )

 

Does the same principle apply to riding in mud?? that the back wheel keeps sliding out to the side??

 

[AndreZA]

keeping hte back wheel anchored takes some practice. Too far back and the front lifts, too far forward and the rear is too light. I try to move just a tad forward on the seat and then drop my upper body as low as possible.

 

 

[Slowbee]

 

keeping hte back wheel anchored takes some practice. Too far back and the front lifts' date=' too far forward and the rear is too light. I try to move just a tad forward on the seat and then drop my upper body as low as possible.

 

 

[/quote']

 

sounds like yogo on a bike to me .......

 

going to have to start some classes.

 

[Tumbleweed]

is sliding out to just one side?

[Dirtbreath]

You need to have an equal distribution of weight in mud. If you are too light on your front it slips all over the place.

[Slowbee]

HR, on the uphill slopes it was usually to one side.

 

In the mud it was both sides depending on where the front wheel was pointing. No matter how hard I pedaled, it kept happening. Not even advanced driving classes helped here.

 

[Slowbee]

 

You need to have an equal distribution of weight in mud. If you are too light on your front it slips all over the place.

 

does this also apply to going uphill in wet conditions as well ?

 

[Tumbleweed]

HR' date=' on the uphill slopes it was usually to one side.

In the mud it was both sides depending on where the front wheel was pointing. No matter how hard I pedaled, it kept happening. Not even advanced driving classes helped here.
[/quote']

 

then, as suggested earlier here, i would say that it was the camber of the path. it causes your rear wheel to have less purchase.

[Dirtbreath]

Yup. The more you ride the bike the more you will "feel" what your weight does when you have it over a certain position on the bike. It will take practise but that's the fun part. Oh and yes, you will spend a lot of time on all fours.

[Slowbee]

HR is there anything you can do ?? Do you just keep trying to adjust your weight and go up a gear and pedal like hell?

[AndreZA]

Look at your tyre pressure aswell when riding soft sand and mud.

 

 

Mampara2008-08-25 01:17:21

[Tumbleweed]

you should try and choose your gear before you hit the hill. changing gears with lots of chain tension can be messy. try and a bigger gear (obviously this comes with fitness).

[Dirty Twin]

Hey SB could question us rookies can learn a lot here. Thanx Bud. Like a sponge at the moment as I can't ride so might as well learn as much as we can from the Guru's.