bike geometry

[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...

[colleenbc]

Thanks and enjoy

[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!!!!!!!!)

[Irulan]

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.

(back from skiing)

That's the exit of a fun little whoopdedo, and you can get air off it if you do it just right.

This is what body english is all about, you are not static on your bike. Type of bike ( hardtail, fully etc) is irrelevant, you use your body with the suspension.

Images, riding the steeps. Even this first guy doesn't' have his belly on the saddle, and you can see the stance. From the few steeps I've done, it's all about balance and CG; the saddle is just a reference point and not something you necessarily work into the dance as a weight holder.

[emily_in_nc]

(back from skiing)
Images, riding the steeps. Even this first guy doesn't' have his belly on the saddle, and you can see the stance. From the few steeps I've done, it's all about balance and CG; the saddle is just a reference point and not something you necessarily work into the dance as a weight holder.

Hol-ey crap!!!!!!!!!! (those photos)

[Irulan]

Hol-ey crap!!!!!!!!!! (those photos)

yeah well you know what some people think is "fun".
Not me.