Neutral Position question

[radacrider]

+1 on the balance idea, which applies to most anything. On the bike is no different in any position - just takes some practice to get comfortable with a different position to the point it is second nature.

I use a variety of positions to stretch the legs (rotate between which pedal is at the bottom, then stand and lower the heel), I use the pedal horizontal and lift the bum up slightly - squeeze quads a little against front of seat and top tube for stability - for downhill, aerodynamic position. For those sections of bumpy or wavey pavement I stand a little and pedal or coast in horizontal so arms and legs act like shock absorbers.

Having more positions gives you more options to adapt to a variety of conditions.

[Irulan]

+1 on the balance idea, which applies to most anything. On the bike is no different in any position - just takes some practice to get comfortable with a different position to the point it is second nature.

I use a variety of positions to stretch the legs (rotate between which pedal is at the bottom, then stand and lower the heel), I use the pedal horizontal and lift the bum up slightly - squeeze quads a little against front of seat and top tube for stability - for downhill, aerodynamic position. For those sections of bumpy or wavey pavement I stand a little and pedal or coast in horizontal so arms and legs act like shock absorbers.

Having more positions gives you more options to adapt to a variety of conditions.

You are recommending squeezing saddle and top tube for MOUNTAIN BIKING? Did I read that right? That may be acceptable for road biking, but it's really unstable for mountain biking. Your legs and knees need to be freed up for dynamic riding, which they most certainly are not if you are gripping the saddle and top tube. It forces the center of gravity higher, which makes you top heavy and less stable. Now if you are talking about road technique that's well and good and my apologies for getting all excited. I am a mountain bike coach and undoing the top tube-saddle-thigh grip situation is one of the more primary bad habits I have to help gals undo.

[radacrider]

You are recommending squeezing saddle and top tube for MOUNTAIN BIKING? Did I read that right? That may be acceptable for road biking, but it's really unstable for mountain biking. Your legs and knees need to be freed up for dynamic riding, which they most certainly are not if you are gripping the saddle and top tube. It forces the center of gravity higher, which makes you top heavy and less stable. Now if you are talking about road technique that's well and good and my apologies for getting all excited. I am a mountain bike coach and undoing the top tube-saddle-thigh grip situation is one of the more primary bad habits I have to help gals undo.

No MTB riding, when I am riding on the road

[Irulan]

No MTB riding, when I am riding on the road

OK Whew. Understand, road descending technique is totally different that mountain bike. No bad feelings but to try and tell a newbie mountain about it is just going to be really confusing. I coach mountain biking, and I tell ya, having to teach former road riders how to loosen up , and quit holding onto the frame with their legs is one of the more common bad habits I have to help undo. This a newbie beginner mountain biker who is trying to learn mountain biking techniques. I know you are just trying to be helpful.