bike geometry

[Irulan]

oh, and make sure your suspension is set up correctly for your weight. If the dealer won't do it, you can find the manuals for your shocks, both front and rear, online. My specialized came with dvds and manuals for setting up the shocks.

[Becky]

I don't have much to add- what's been written already is great stuff- except this:

When I switched from a HT to a FS, it took me a long time to get used to the action of the rear suspension. Because of this, I ran the rear shock too firm, and then wondered why I felt high and "bucky" on the bike. I swear, I thought that thing was going to launch me into the nearest tree! I revisited my shock set-up, and lowered the air pressure to something more suited for my weight, which in turn allowed me to better fine-tune the rebound. All of this added up to a more "in the bike" position, a suspension that properly unloads without packing down, and more confidence. Something to try....

//is off to remove seatpost from frame like Irulan suggested...and break that bad thigh habit!

[alleyoop]

Well, gosh. I was taught to hold the seat with thighs if you have a FS. What you say makes sense, but now it is going to be icky to re-learn.

[Becky]

Well, gosh. I was taught to hold the seat with thighs if you have a FS. What you say makes sense, but now it is going to be icky to re-learn.

Seriously! I hope that DH doesn't have the camera handy.....

By the way, does anyone have pics of what you're supposed to look like when you're off the saddle? I learn well by seeing things...both demonstrations and photos. TIA!

[Irulan]

Hey you gotta do what works for you.

Here's some assorted photos, all from my personal mtb pages

http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/pen...ing/biking.asp and
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/pen...g/ridetips.asp

This is from a NORBA nationals down hill race, crazy stuff,



Here's me on my new Specialized,



Notice the wide knees, not tucked up to the saddle. The bike moves freely.

my good friend using the attack/neutral in our rock playground




one of my favorite quotes,

"the saddle is not a butt rest"

Also,
I've been taught a pretty tall stance, what I call "Canadian style" since we learned it from Cindy Devine, Canadian world champ and mtb hall of famer.
Not everyone agrees with the taller stance but hey, those Canadians can ride like nobody's business - I swear the girls have balls. The key is to stay loose, don't lock your joints, and work in concert with the suspension on your bike.

have fun.

[colleenbc]

Thanks for all the help - especially the pics. I found the website helpful as well. On that downhill pic - the one with the loose knees - is any part of your body actually touching the seat? the guys say they get their bellies down on their seats. How much weight do you keep on the front? I'm so ready to try all your ideas but unfortunately we just got hit with a blizzard and LOTS of snow with more coming. It'll be awhile till there's much riding on the mountain - but we needed the moisture. Ski season isn't over!

[Irulan]

Thanks for all the help - especially the pics. I found the website helpful as well. On that downhill pic - the one with the loose knees - is any part of your body actually touching the seat? the guys say they get their bellies down on their seats. How much weight do you keep on the front? I'm so ready to try all your ideas but unfortunately we just got hit with a blizzard and LOTS of snow with more coming. It'll be awhile till there's much riding on the mountain - but we needed the moisture. Ski season isn't over!

nope, not touching the seat anywhere to my awareness. Enough weight on the front to keep control of it. You have to play with where your CG gives you the best control.

From what I've seen, the belly on the seat bit is for dam-near-vertical stuff. Maybe I can find a pic later, off to go skiing this morning...

[Biciclista]

my good friend using the attack/neutral in our rock playground





have fun.

This gal is going UP hill and she's in the air! how did she do that?
these are great pictures btw, a lot of what you are saying is true for road bike riding too. I find myself in your 3 and 9 oclock positions going over rough roads too.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

This gal is going UP hill and she's in the air! how did she do that?

Photoshop.




(JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!)

[pinkbikes]

oh, and make sure your suspension is set up correctly for your weight. If the dealer won't do it, you can find the manuals for your shocks, both front and rear, online. My specialized came with dvds and manuals for setting up the shocks.

And the Specialized website has really good videos that show you how, as well as pdfs of all the manuals and the tables for all the adjustments. All you need is a shock pump.

[gnarwhal]

Yeah i can back up the moving your butt back with loose legs thing too. I learnt this the hard way after nearly endoing a couple of weeks back cos i'd clamped the saddle tight with my thighs and had locked out my arms...well you can guess what happened!

So next time i rode and did the same section i still came off but this time i was so far back on the bike that i landed my butt on the wheel and my chest on the saddle. If you think about your body, you're like a big spring. It doesn't matter if you're on a full susser, a hardy or a roady your knees and arms bend much much more than any bike travel. Stay loose, stay low and stay back on the downs. It's easy to tense up when things get a bit hairy but the trick is learning not to...i'm still working on this myself!