Traction vs weight vs suspension

[Xenomorph]

I started mtb'ing as it gives me a feeling of adventurousness and escapism. This has taken me from double track to single track to more technical trails. The kind of riding that inspires me is uphill loose, technical, steep, barely ridable terrain. My question is where is the balance between the weight of bike, specifically the rear wheel in relaction to traction being gained? Now its obvious that the more foot print on the rear the more traction one will gain, but this adds weight, wider rim, bigger tire etc. Where do you stop short of fitting dh equipment, that becomes too heavy to peddal up the hills defeating the original objective.

P.S:Bike is 5" AM so that we can fly back down.

 

[Mudsimus]

I think I just learned some new words..

[keith]

I think that if you got a good pair of tyres and the correct position on the bike you don't need heavy dh stuff. I'm sure tyre pressure would also have a lot to do with the grip of the back wheel. Guys have been climbing technical hills for ages and have gone for lighter bikes because of the weight you have to carry. But personal preference at the end of the day- for me cimbing a technical hill on a heavy bike would not be my idea of kiff.

[GoLefty!!]

very subjective.

 

Some people can ride up hills on 1.8" semi slicks while others can;t achieve the same with a 2.3" full knobbly.

 

Traction is the amount of friction force you have available to provide drive against. If the drive force exceeds the traction then you get wheel slip.

optimising the drive force is a matter of experience in placing your weight correctly over the bike.

 

A very knobbly tyre willallow a slightly higher drive force due to it having more "paddles" to push against the surface.

this is not friction because that is not linked to surface area. this is simply trying to pull a knife sideways through butter instead of edgeways.

 

the experience will come and your technique will improve. Just focus you mind on what the bike is doing and your brain will tell your legs arms and feet what to do.

[MintSauce]

 

Just focus you mind on what the bike is doing and your brain will tell your legs arms and feet what to do.

 

 

Just about the best advice I've heard

 

 

 

[RodTi]

Just focus you mind on what the bike is doing and your brain will tell your legs arms and feet what to do.

Just about the best advice I've heard

 

That and "If a button has a sign on that says 'Don't Push This Button' - well then [trust me on this] DO NOT push that button!!!!" 

 

..............................

 

 

Use it.

Don't use it.