Rear wheel dusty spinouts when climbing

[Catrin]

Catrin, are you running the tires that came stock on your Jamis? According to Jamis' website, the bike came with Geax Mezcal. I just read some reviews of that tire on MTBR that consistently complained about bad traction in dry, loose conditions. If those are your tires, you might talk to Jonathan about getting some tires known for a bit more grip (or just replace your rear tire). Yes, you'll encounter more rolling resistance, but I think that's better than losing traction and slipping out.

Yep, same tires that came with my bike. I don't care about more rolling resistance, I am not racing, just out there for fun anyway. I've worked hard to get strong legs so I want to use them After reading your post I went to MTBR and read the same reviews. Am already researching my options - at least for the rear. No trail riding until I replace that tire! As the Jamis XC Comp is a race bike the tires were probably meant for that - I read where someone referred to them as "semi-slicks". I've not really looked at other mtb tires before so perhaps, in comparison, they are? I guess race tires would need to be a compromise between rolling resistance, weight, and grip - though surely the latter would win out but what do I know?

Unless it just rained, our trails are a mix of dust/sand over hardpack or dust over sand and roots. Sometimes, just climbing, the rear would break loose and it was always because I was not cranking smoothly, but torquing in bursts. In your case, you are in a turn, so it may be due to you leaning a bit and maybe bit of torquing? I am thinking the rear tire is spinning in jerking motions, not smoothly as you claw your way up. With a slight lean during such torque-down on the pedal in really loosely packed dust while turning, the rear tire could just kick out.

This is a good thought and hadn't considered it. I honestly do not know if I crank smoothly or torquing in bursts. I will try to pay attention to do this next time I ride. Thanks for the tire recommendation, I am starting to research my choices but there are many to choose from. We have had a brutal drought this year, and on previous rides I've seen much deeper dust than yesterday.

All good suggestions. I would also, in addition to considering tire choice, consider your tire pressure.

Are you standing or seated when you break traction on climbs?

For the trails I ride, I run 30psi. I am a small woman and was advised by the folks at the mountain bike clinic at that same park that this was appropriate for my weight and size for those trails.

....

I wonder if your attention is leading your position on the trail. In other words, while still in the turn, your mind has already moved on to the straight section - and you move your body toward it. With this always happening in the same direction, maybe it is a dominant eye related thing.


I agree with indysteel about trying a different tire.

Laura - thanks again - of course we have to lean to corner, but it makes sense to me if the tire doesn't grip well and we might lean over too much that this would contribute to the problem. I THINK I am past this however, back when I first started last year I would lean over much too far on parts of the trail that scared me - and of course I had to stop because I was over too far.

As far as my attention, I try to keep my eyes on where I am headed. So, yesterday I had just started to climb a hill that appeared to be fairly steep with few obstacles so I geared down just 1 click (rear) and focused on what appeared to be the top (it wasn't). It was just after that I entered the curve that bit me. It is my practice when looking ahead to look around and up the trail rather than *just* looking at the top. The fall came at the bend of the curve if that makes sense.

I am unsure what you mean that this might be dominant eye related. It may be I've not had enough coffee yet, but it might be helpful if you would like to say something more about this.

I appreciate the comments and helping me think this out. I am feeling much better about this, even if I do have war wounds I am bound and determined to finish this season stronger than when I started, and more comfortable on the intermediate trails. It felt awesome yesterday to FINALLY break free of the one trail I've been riding for 2 months.