F'ing Root(s)

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Maybe the problem has to do with riding technique. You used to ride a 26er but now you're riding a 29er. I would guess that the bikes have different geometries and different vertical & horizontal centers of gravity. If that is right, your riding technique may need to be changed somewhat for the new bike. For example, it might require a lot more forceful body english to keep the bike (with those larger heavier wheels) on track, or it might be a matter of shifting your body position more radically than with the 26er.

You might be onto something, there. This bike definitely fits me better...not too big, not too small. Previous bike was at least a full size too small and had me really scrunched and upright. Any thoughts on how to handle slippery roots with a more aggressive posture on a bike? The problem with this root is I couldn't even see it. I knew roughly where it was, but it was under some leaves. A lot of the sketchy spots I've hit on the new bike were things I couldn't even prepare for, since they're under a thick layer of loose leaves. Nothing is wet, so the roots aren't slippery with moisture.

One thing DH suggested is making use of the Alternator dropout to move the rear wheel back a hair. This would give me a longer wheelbase and more stability...and perhaps make tackling slippery stuff a bit easier. Though it might make the bike a bit less responsive. Not sure about that tradeoff.

[Hi Ho Silver]

You might be onto something, there. This bike definitely fits me better...not too big, not too small. Previous bike was at least a full size too small and had me really scrunched and upright. Any thoughts on how to handle slippery roots with a more aggressive posture on a bike? The problem with this root is I couldn't even see it. I knew roughly where it was, but it was under some leaves. A lot of the sketchy spots I've hit on the new bike were things I couldn't even prepare for, since they're under a thick layer of loose leaves. Nothing is wet, so the roots aren't slippery with moisture.

One thing DH suggested is making use of the Alternator dropout to move the rear wheel back a hair. This would give me a longer wheelbase and more stability...and perhaps make tackling slippery stuff a bit easier. Though it might make the bike a bit less responsive. Not sure about that tradeoff.

You could try the technique that those of us who ride without any suspension generally use to cope with obstacles :: Rise off the seat and slightly unweight the wheel that is having to overcome the obstacle (i.e., shift your weight toward the wheel that is most stable). So in your case, try shifting your weight toward the back (to get the front wheel past the root) and once the front wheel is past the root, shift your weight toward the front. The amount of body shifting that is needed is something that you have to learn from experience.

I don't have any idea if lengthening the wheelbase would help or hinder...sorry.

[zoom-zoom]

You could try the technique that those of us who ride without any suspension generally use to cope with obstacles :: Rise off the seat and slightly unweight the wheel that is having to overcome the obstacle (i.e., shift your weight toward the wheel that is most stable). So in your case, try shifting your weight toward the back (to get the front wheel past the root) and once the front wheel is past the root, shift your weight toward the front. The amount of body shifting that is needed is something that you have to learn from experience.

I don't have any idea if lengthening the wheelbase would help or hinder...sorry.

Here's the kicker--I'm not sure which wheel is sliding out...even after crashing in the same spot twice. I was watching for the root yesterday and never even saw it until I was on the ground just beyond it. There are 2 roots, maybe a foot or two apart. I'm almost wondering if both wheels are sliding out--each one on a different root. The 2nd root is the one with bark sheared-off where my bike frame has scraped along it. DH was right behind me and wasn't even sure what happened. He has had issues with this same spot on his fatbike (not enough to actually fall) and can't determine which wheel slid on him, either.