Sharp Turns

[ikkin]

what about braking? what's the most effective braking technique for sharp turns? i'm wondering about both downhill and uphill. thanks ladies!

[OakLeaf]

this is an honest question from a non-MTBer, but a roadie who keeps hearing that dirt riding is the best way to learn to slide and improve handling skills on both road bicis and street motos.

Do you WANT to prevent sliding? Or is what you want, to learn to control it?

[Becky]

Do you WANT to prevent sliding? Or is what you want, to learn to control it?

This is just my opinion, but I think it's all about controlling the slide. It's going to happen sooner or later, so learning how to control it is a good idea and goes a long way towards skill development. Kind of like driving in snow- you're going to skid at some point, but learning how to steer through it makes you more comfortable in those conditions.

For me, sliding through a turn without falling is the biggest confidence boost ever! And knowing that I can hold a bike up under those conditions makes me more confident on my road bike (especially commuting!).

[Irulan]

what about braking? what's the most effective braking technique for sharp turns? i'm wondering about both downhill and uphill. thanks ladies!

Um, I wouldn't brake on the uphill but thats just me.

Feathering and modulation. Gently, light squeezes or pumping action.
I use the front brake more than the back to control the turn. Also, only one or two fingers on the brakes, ladies, no more is needed with discs.

Sidenote - most brake levers can be adjusted to fit women's hands. There are travel adjustment screws that will pull the levers in to fit short fingers.

as for practicing controlled sliding, please practice this only on gravel fireroads and not the trails.

(excuse me while I get out a soapbox) Skidding and sliding is very destructive to trails. It should be avoided at all costs. If you are skidding or locking up your tires, you are going too fast for conditions or out of control. It's also an indicator that you are braking too hard - let up on the brake just a bit. Unless you are on fireroads where it doesn't matter, there is no legitimate excuse for skidding or sliding while mountain biking.

/soapbox

[ima_bleeder]

(excuse me while I get out a soapbox) [I]Skidding and sliding is very destructive to trails. It should be avoided at all costs.
/soapbox

AMEN SISTAH!

I'm pretty vocal about asking people riding with me not to do that on the groomed trails that we share with hikers, walkers, families, equestrians ....

On the really remote ungroomed stuff, pretty much anything goes, and I'm good with that. Those trails are going to get destroyed next winter anyway with big mud, down trees, and logging. But if you're in a high traffic area, or you're riding on trails that someone is working to maintain, it's pretty rude.

[Becky]

(excuse me while I get out a soapbox) Skidding and sliding is very destructive to trails. It should be avoided at all costs. If you are skidding or locking up your tires, you are going too fast for conditions or out of control. It's also an indicator that you are braking too hard - let up on the brake just a bit. Unless you are on fireroads where it doesn't matter, there is no legitimate excuse for skidding or sliding while mountain biking.

/soapbox

Very good point about trail preservation- thanks for making it clear. I didn't really articulate that in my first post. I would never intentionally slide, but it's still important to know how to deal with slides when they happen.

Same thing with riding wet trails....it destroys them, so don't ride on them.

[Irulan]

Very good point about trail preservation- thanks for making it clear. I didn't really articulate that in my first post. I would never intentionally slide, but it's still important to know how to deal with slides when they happen.

Same thing with riding wet trails....it destroys them, so don't ride on them.

At one of the camps I've been to, they had us practice skidding and sliding in the gravel parking lot. A great opportunity without tearing things up.

Re, not skidding/sliding on well used trails but saving it for farther out.... unless I knew an area was slated for destruction ( ie, clear cutting, ORV, dirtbike use) I would never, ever do this. I live in a region that is known for pristine mountain singletrack. Just because a trail is farther out or not heavily used doesn't mean we shouldn't take care of it for others that come behind us.

[bike4ever]

This information is very helpful. I have one tight switchback that I regularly ride with an evil, pointy rock that likes my bike too much. I am going to master this switchback (or just get a shovel and move the rock - no I won't alter the trail - just an idea).

[SadieKate]

Just because a trail is farther out or not heavily used doesn't mean we shouldn't take care of it for others that come behind us.

Ditto, ditto, ditto. And the others "that come after us" include the flora and fauna who depend on that habitat not being eroded.

Learning to brake early is so crucial. All that dishing that occurs before turns? It's caused by people who don't look ahead and keep their speed appropriate to the trail conditions. It not only damages the trail, it makes the trail much less fun to ride.

/my soapbox

Oakleaf, I do agree that mtn biking is a terrific way to improve handling skills all the way around, not just being comfortable with slides and fishtailing. You'll learn how much the momentum of your body controls the bike's direction and also improve balance, particularly at slow speeds.

[ima_bleeder]

Re, not skidding/sliding on well used trails but saving it for farther out.... unless I knew an area was slated for destruction ( ie, clear cutting, ORV, dirtbike use) I would never, ever do this.

Yeah, I did sound pretty short-sighted. I should have been thinking in general terms rather than specifically about ‘my’ remote trails. And even here (an hour out, in lush persistent vegetation, lightly trafficked, unmarked, unmapped, unnamed, unofficial trails on logging land) I don’t skid, I’m just not as vocal with riding partners who do. I’d like to think that I don’t skid because I’m too good for that, but that’s probably only partly true. I should get out on the gravel roads and practice. But back to the point … no skidding/sliding is always a good rule.

The the dishing (brake bumps, washboards) aren't a big problem on most of the trails I ride, but there are a couple of areas where they're really unpleasant. I never went fast enough on the old bike to do much sliding, but my braking skills improved significantly when I got disc brakes. I think they're a huge advantage to beginners.

[OakLeaf]

please practice this only on gravel fireroads and not the trails.Skidding and sliding is very destructive to trails.

OIC... thanks!