Uncoordinated MTBers?

Recently my partner and I bought entry level MTB bikes. Neither of us are daredevils and don't expect to do any racing, but we love being in the woods going to the state parks, so I got a Trek 820 WSD and she got the Trek Skye.

Took them out together for the first time this weekend and I discovered my lack of coordination in every day life translates right over into riding. I'm wondering if anyone else is uncoordinated, but managed to learn to do well on a MTB?

The other issue we had was when we went from the middle cog (what are those wheel things called?) which was number 2 to 1 to go up a hill the chain just fell right off. No big deal on putting it back on, but it's kind of a bummer when you've built some steam to go up a hill to be stopped by a missing chain. Not sure if this is a feature of a cheaper bike or operator error. I was on 2 and 6 and then flipped it over to 1 and the chain came off, not sure what my partner did. In case it matters our bikes have 3 gears on the left and 7 on the right.

I wouldn't call myself overly coordinated, but I've managed to learn how to mountain bike over the last year. That's not to say that I've world class at this point, but I think I handle the trails I ride fairly well. I began by taking a day-long skills clinic that is offered locally every summer. I can't stress enough how helpful that was. I don't think I could have picked it up nearly as quickly without that. So, if you can find one in your area, I'd highly recommend it. There are books, DVDs and online tutorials/videos available, too, but nothing beats live instruction from a certified instructor.

As for shifting, it could be that you were on too big of a cog in the back when you shifted to your little ring (they're called crank rings in the back and cogs in the back). Try shifting to the little ring from the middle of your rear cassette. But the general quality of your drivetrain and whether it's well tuned can play a roll in dropping a chain as well.

I have a Trek Skye SL disc that I ride daily on the forest trails. I have only had my chain come off one and that's just after a fall. When I put it back on, I noticed that my derailer was bent....or derailleur -- my skye has been quite dependable through my learning stages and through many crashes on the trails.

Thanks for the suggestions. I should have thought of that. One of our local clubs is having a beginner ride (with trainer suggestions) this coming Saturday, so I think I'll attend that and see what they have coming up as far as clinics go.

2 is the middle crank ring, so I was on that one and switched to 1, which is the little one when the chain dropped. I think I'm going to take it back to the shop here very soon because several of the gears sounded "crunchy." I'm guessing they aren't getting in all the way.

Try a chain catcher first.

In my case, I had to put in a better front derailleur due to fit issues in placing the chain catcher. I don't know if it was the better front derailleur or the chain catcher that solved the problem, but I was super happy that my hybrid did not derail any more when going uphill.
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

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Originally Posted by thekarens

Thanks for the suggestions. I should have thought of that. One of our local clubs is having a beginner ride (with trainer suggestions) this coming Saturday, so I think I'll attend that and see what they have coming up as far as clinics go.

2 is the middle crank ring, so I was on that one and switched to 1, which is the little one when the chain dropped. I think I'm going to take it back to the shop here very soon because several of the gears sounded "crunchy." I'm guessing they aren't getting in all the way.

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It sounds to me like you were shifting under load, which will cause your chain get thrown off the front, and sounds "crunchy". This is a common beginner mistake. It's not a bike problem, it's an operator problem. You can also break chains this way, or worst of worst, cause chain suck. If you are applying power to the pedals and shift while applying power, this is shifting under load. The trick is to back off on the power, almost like a pause, and then shift down. This is called "soft pedal shifting".

I second a skills clinic. Know basic techniques for riding can really help you feel more confident.

I appreciate everyone's great advice.

Irulan, you're right, I was shifting under under load, so I probably did something because now those gears continue to sound crunchy as I pedal no matter what.

TigerMom, I think a chain catcher is a good idea. It's not too expensive and could help.

And of course, like everyone said, classes! :) I admit, I felt a little discouraged. I'm no spring chicken any more and I was wondering if I was just too old to learn.

thekarens, we're never to old to learn:) I third the advice to take a skills clinic. Be forewarned, though, that you're probably not going to come out of a clinic with significantly improved skills right away. It may take quite some time to master the skills that they teach you and then another period of time for your muscles to memorize those skills so that they become second nature. It will be worth it, though. I would bet that you'll be a MUCH better rider a year after your first clinic than you would be without instruction.

hmmm I am missing a sentence from my post (above) about the detailers. That was my problem with the skipping and grinding while shifting and it was an easy fix. My derailer was bent/out of adjustment. Check yours also in addition to all of the other advice.

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Originally Posted by thekarens

I appreciate everyone's great advice.

Irulan, you're right, I was shifting under under load, so I probably did something because now those gears continue to sound crunchy as I pedal no matter what.

TigerMom, I think a chain catcher is a good idea. It's not too expensive and could help.

And of course, like everyone said, classes! :) I admit, I felt a little discouraged. I'm no spring chicken any more and I was wondering if I was just too old to learn.

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You are not too old! (: Mountain biking is so much fun you forget your exercising (haha well kinda...) I started at age 48- and continue to improve and ride more aggressively (though not out of control, usually haha) I am not coordinated either (: I have been able to do some wonderful RLAG rides with the local Luna chix team- helped so much!

The main age related issue is the cross training is vital for joint stability and injury prevention. Good Luck- hang in there!

I truly appreciate all the support and advise everyone has and is giving. I'm 42, but never exercised a day in my before January. Up until a couple weeks ago I had did all my exercising in a gym. I've discovered the gym doesn't quite give you a realistic skills for exercise in the "real" world where you have to take into consideration environment, weather etc.

I also "run." I call it running, but it's really a jog and I also lift weights.

I've been reading a lot online regarding how to properly shift gears. There's a lot of things I never have or ever would have thought of, but it makes sense thinking about it.

I am definitely uncoordinated on land, and I find that it takes me longer to get the hang of things on my bike as well.

But who cares? Mountain biking is fun, and it is such a rush to master a new skill!

Don't give up! It just gets better and better. I was 46 when I rode my first single track. I'm 47 now, and looking forward to many years of improvement. :D

I am not the most coordinated, and I only learned how to ride a bike, period, at 50. I started learning how to mountain bike a year ago, at 51. My progress on the mountain bike appears to be a bit slower than other newbies I know - but they have much more experience in road riding than I do.

It is all good, just focus on having fun! I highly recommend a skills clinic, that will insure you have the right tools with which to build your mtb skills set.