Steep climbs on MTB - Help Please

[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.