MTB clinic

[Kalidurga]

Interesting that they'd teach to shift your weight forward going uphill. I would've assumed that you should keep your weight back over the saddle to help the traction of the rear tire.

[7rider]

Interesting that they'd teach to shift your weight forward going uphill. I would've assumed that you should keep your weight back over the saddle to help the traction of the rear tire.

I would imagine that leaning forward keeps weight on the fork. With a suspension fork, in particular, if it becomes unweighted, it will bob around, decreasing control and tracking. With my old mtb, I used to say my riding partner was "Suspension Bob", as it was horrible for bobbing and weaving on the uphills. Or....maybe that was me all along!

I guess it's a balance think - lean forward enough to keep the fork under control, but back enough to keep traction to the rear??

[divingbiker]

I would imagine that leaning forward keeps weight on the fork. With a suspension fork, in particular, if it becomes unweighted, it will bob around, decreasing control and tracking.

Exactly. If you don't lean forward, the front wheel comes off the ground and shortly thereafter you tip over. Not that I have any experience with that kind of thing, of course.

I bagged the Rosaryville beginner ride this morning, because I didn't want to get muddy, which I guess means I'm not really a mountain biker.

[Kalidurga]

I bagged the Rosaryville beginner ride this morning, because I didn't want to get muddy, which I guess means I'm not really a mountain biker.

I'm still trying to figure out how to ride through mud and have it all stick to me, not the bike.

[LBTC]

I'm still trying to figure out how to ride through mud and have it all stick to me, not the bike.

I wonder if the armor all wipes worked to shed mud easier....

H&B
~T~

[LBTC]

Climbing steeps on a mtb is a balancing act. In many cases you need to keep your butt off the saddle, hovering, or barely touching it, so that you can easily shift your weight forward to keep the front wheel stable, or backward to keep traction on the back wheel, depending on where it is needed.

Of course, buy the right tires and you'll need a lot less finesse in the weight distribution department!

Hugs & butterflies,
~T~

[divingbiker]

Of course, buy the right tires and you'll need a lot less finesse in the weight distribution department!

LBTC, what are the "right tires"? Got any examples? I'm all for anything that lessens my need for "finesse", not that I've got any of that going on right now...