Steep climbs on MTB - Help Please

[Trekhawk]

Mountain Bike Gurus I need your help.

Im having problems working out what I should be doing or not doing on steep hills that are covered with rocks and tree roots. Today I went MTB and crashed twice trying to get up these hills. I try to power up because they are steep but once I hit the tree roots up comes the front wheel and over I go (at least I think thats what the problem is it all happened so quickly).

I have Ned Overend's DVD but I would also love to hear some tips from the wise bunch here at TE.

I really need to sort this out before Im black and blue all over.

[Veronica]

When I'm climbing something steep, I think about keeping weight balanced so my front wheel stays on the ground. Don't pull up on the bars, kind of tuck your elbows down.

I also have my cleats at the loosest setting so I can unclip in a hurry.


Keep trying.

V.

[bcipam]

There's a really good book out there called "Serious Mountain Biking". It's written by a woman.

When things get steep and gnarly power is not the key. Slow, steady cadence, proper positioning (butt back, back low, arms extended) to keep the front wheel on the ground. Put the bike in a low gear to start and don't try to down shift when getting in trouble.

The Book recommends checking out a tough climb first then making the attempt. And I think practice, practice, practice is the key.

[SadieKate]

TrekHawk, going over an obstacle uphill may involve some throwing of weight around. You have to keep your weight balanced between the two wheels to keep traction at the back but also keep the front wheel down.

When you come to the obstacle you may have to unweight the front wheel a bit to lift it over but just a tad as the suspension will absorb a lot. You may have to apply a power stroke simultaneously. Then you need to get your weight immediately forward to get the wheel back down but again, not too much, because you need to keep traction on the back. Consciously try to keep your upper body low and forward over the bar.

If you have no obstacles but a really steep hill, more forward on the saddle and stick the nose where the sun don't shine. Bend your elbows, pull them back and down. Keep them close to your body. Your nose may be feel like it's on the bars. Smooth, even cadence is critical. This is in the Ned Overend video. Depending on where you carry your weight, you may need to be a little more extreme at this than men who carry more weight in their upper torsos.

I haven't looked at a picture of your bike, but too much rise on your stem can make it hard to keep the front wheel down but make it super easy to lift.

One thing more, I have been ever so much better at technical uphills with the greater power I have built the last year. It can be a series of anerobic bursts so back off on the effort level between roots to get in a bit of recovery.

Boy, all of these is so hard to put into words.

Where're you riding? We need to get coordinated.

[Veronica]

Yeah, I was wondering where she was riding too, 'cause it sounded fun!

V.

[Trekhawk]

Thanks everyone Im going to write all those tips down so I can go over them again in my mind before I ride next. So much to remember lets hope some of its sticks.

As for location, today a friend and I rode the Lower Pioneer Trail. We are both beginners so we have been going out once a week and trying different places to get a feel for what we can ride and whats still a little out of our league (although Im not too proud to walk if things are tough). Most of the Trail today was pretty easy but those few steep parts with rocks and roots etc I found pretty hard as you obviously guessed from the crashing part. The guide for this ride said "4 physical 3 Technical" so from that I gather its pretty tame stuff for most MTB riders but hey you have to start somewhere and we are having a great time and riding in some truly gorgeous locations.

[tattiefritter]

Trekhawk, I always find technical up much harder than technical downs, no momentum to really help you. I second all that SadieKate has already said, on steep ups I always find myself on the front of my saddle (thank goodness for long saddles) which isn't the most comfortable place to be, "rowing" the handlebars down, I can almost be lying along the top tube trying to keep the front down.

Sometimes the length of your suspension forks can contribute to lift and wander. I got a new full-suss bike last summer and I run the forks at 120mm travel which is a lot more than the 80mm on my hardtail, consequently the front is higher and lifts easier. I struggled for ages up stuff I could get up on the other bike until I remembered that the reason I got adjustable travel forks was so I could wind them down for steep stuff ( d'oh). Winding them down steepens the front of the bike making it easier to keep the front wheel down ( forgetting to wind them back out again on steep descents however makes it much easier to fly over the bars - double d'oh ). Basically if your forks are reasonably long then you may have to work harder to keep the front down if they're not adjustable.

A second point about forks is that if they are not properly set for you (I'm not saying yours are not properly set) then they may not absorb hits particularly well, my first set of suspension forks were terrible (but not really cheap forks), no amount of fettling got them to move well for me (my 14 stone BF could hardly get them to budge - I had no chance), when they had slow speed hits they would not absorb the hit and ping the front wheel off in a completely random direction. These days I'm forever checking my fork settings to make sure they are what I think they are.

[SadieKate]

I gotta run to the dentist, but we can make a date for the Pioneer. The Pioneer is a fun trail! Is there snow at the top?

I assume the market is closed this time of year. We always start there.

Sarah

[Trekhawk]

tattiefritter - thanks I will check it out.

Sadiekate - it would be great to get some of you up this way for a ride sometime. Its been great riding weather but I see a cold change coming our way and they are predicting rain and snow up here. Mmm I knew those warm days were spoiling me. Best be off to pull out those cold weather cycling clothes again.

[han-grrl]

a lot of technical climbing is knowing when to throw your weight around the bike. you need to have it more forward on the climb, but then you need to back off a bit to get over the obstacle.

i also find that sometimes i'm not in the right gear, i over compensate by going too low in gearing...

ummm that's all i can really think of right now.. my head is stuffed up from head cold...

man, i miss mtb!

[bouncybouncy]

hey trekhawk...i don't have much more to add to what has already been said but i just wanted to say "HI"!!!!

i have been lurking more than posting sounds like you are having fun with my "ernie's" little twin i kinda roll over things with ease without knowing much how i am doing it...reading these responses may help in the looooong rooty/rocky climbs that i am encountering more and more here in the north carolina mtns...

you girls have fun in those california hills...i hope to make it back to my ole' stompin grounds someday and maybe i will roll with you on the trails

happy riding!!!!

[Trekhawk]

hey trekhawk...i don't have much more to add to what has already been said but i just wanted to say "HI"!!!!

i have been lurking more than posting sounds like you are having fun with my "ernie's" little twin i kinda roll over things with ease without knowing much how i am doing it...reading these responses may help in the looooong rooty/rocky climbs that i am encountering more and more here in the north carolina mtns...

you girls have fun in those california hills...i hope to make it back to my ole' stompin grounds someday and maybe i will roll with you on the trails

happy riding!!!!

Hey Bouncy great to hear things are going well for you in NC. Since my last ride where I fell off twice its done nothing but rain and snow so I havent had a chance to put any of this great info to the test. Im not sure I will ever be a star MTB but I enjoy getting out there and giving it a shot. So much to learn.
If you ever get back this way let me know. Cant promise a challenging ride if you come with me but Im good for a laugh.

[tjodit]

A friend who has given me mtn bike climbing pointers has drilled into my skull the following....BOOBS TO TUBE. It may not be the most lady-like saying but it is colorful and it is easy to remember. Besides while huffing and puffing, sweating and saying a few choice words when trying to climb....who cares about lady-like, right!? Save that for the top!!!

[Trekhawk]

A friend who has given me mtn bike climbing pointers has drilled into my skull the following....BOOBS TO TUBE. It may not be the most lady-like saying but it is colorful and it is easy to remember. Besides while huffing and puffing, sweating and saying a few choice words when trying to climb....who cares about lady-like, right!? Save that for the top!!!

LOL - thanks for the tip that should be easy enough to remember even for me.

[mellic]

Yep agree with the other comments. You do need to keep your weight central, but sometimes you also need to shift your weight around. When an obtsacle comes along you need to select what is the best way to go over the obstacle without losing too much momentum.

There are three ways to go over an obstacle - 1. Rolling over it with both the front and rear wheel; 2. Lifting the front wheel and rolling with the rear wheel; and 3. Lifting both the front and rear wheel.

Obviously there are many factors that you must take into account when selecting the best option, including the height of the obstacle, the steepness of the climb, the stability of the dirt, and most importantly how much energy you have as a rider at that point in time.

On long technical climbs I find the easiest way to go up is to just keep pedalling and pick your way throught the rocks and roots and not bother about shifting your weight around too much. However, if the rocks or roots get big then obviously you will have to shift the weight around and throw your bike around a bit.

Hope that makes sense.