Weight Back on Mtn Downhills

[RitaG]

Long time reader, first time poster...

I am wondering about how far back to shift my weight when going downhills on my mountain bike. I sit way back (actually squatting), but I'm never fully past the seat. My inner thighs keep me from going past my seat in the back. Is this ok? I've heard people say you should almost touch the back wheel with your butt, but I really have to spread my legs for that, and it just looks and feels silly.

My husband didn't really understand the problem (being the tall, skinny guy he is), so I'm hoping some other women may be able to share what they do. I'm assuming it's different for women, at least for those who have to struggle with the big thighs.

I have never endo'd.... yet. So I'm thinking I may be ok. Curious about your thoughts.

Thanks for all the great information! - RitaG

[bounceswoosh]

One of the drills that Tonya Laffey suggested at a clinic was to practice riding in the parking lot with your *belly* on the seat, in preparation for steep descents. So, yes, when people talk about getting back, they mean more than just scooting back a little.

There's a constant struggle, at least for women, to find a seat narrow enough to get past but wide enough to support our sit bones.

I just started mtb'ing last year, so it's not like I'm an expert -- but on downhills, I'm never actually sitting on the seat; I'm standing up and I can tell that my butt is farther back than it is on flats.

I wonder if you'd be able to get farther back if you stand up a little more? Not sure if that's what you're already doing based on the word "squatting."

As I said, I'm just starting out, so I'm looking forward to hearing from other women.

BTW, Tonya has a forum specifically for women who mountain bike:

http://www.mtbchick.com/chickchat/index.php

[Irulan]

I am wondering about how far back to shift my weight when going downhills on my mountain bike. I sit way back (actually squatting), but I'm never fully past the seat. My inner thighs keep me from going past my seat in the back. Is this ok? I've heard people say you should almost touch the back wheel with your butt, but I really have to spread my legs for that, and it just looks and feels silly.

I don't understand "inner thighs keep me from going past my seat" I don't exactly have toothpick thighs and I have no trouble. Are you gripping with your thighs? You might need to loosen up, a lot. Don't worry about feeliing or looking silly... a good rider is loose and moves their body around a lot. You can't have a tight knee/thigh grip and get back.

Look at this photo, you can see the seat in front of my crotch if you look hard. As I went down that, you better beleive that my butt was back behind the seat. You just don't want to touch the tire with your butt, that's very bad. Now, this is pretty steep but you get the idea.



To practice, get out of the saddle into the attack/neutral position. Practice moving forwards, backwards and side to side. Let your legs loosen up a bit. Have someone hold the bike still by the handllebars and practice moving back, put that seat on your tummy. Do check your saddle, if you have a "comfort saddle" it's definatley too wide.

[Irulan]

I found another photo that illustrates it much better, this is a racer. This is exaggerated for the average XC ride, but the concept is still the same.

[gabrielle]

On some really steep downhills, my belly does really hover right above the seat. I have been told that I keep my weight a bit too far back, but that's what I'm comfortable with now.

I do have to open my knees a bit to get my thighs around the seat, but I don't keep them that way once I"m past it. It does feel silly - I think I look like a punk kid riding a BMX bike - but when you get that bike/body separation, it makes a big difference in how much control you have going downhill.

What kind of saddle are you using? A narrower saddle really helps with this.

I have given myself some really nice bruises wiping out on downhills, from my thighs hitting the tire:
http://w3.gorge.net/gab/bike_ouch.html
(top & bottom photos)
(Note to the squeamish: if you can't handle bruises, don't click the link.) It looks bad, but trust me, it's still better than an endo.

gabrielle

[Adventure Girl]

Originally posted by Irulan

Hey, that girl looks just like the girl in your avatar!!

[RitaG]

Thanks for the tips.

My seat is probably in-between. It's not skinny, but I don't feel that it's too big either. And I am always standing on the downhills.

I think the practicing will help. I think I may need to just get over the awkwardness to be all the way behind my seat. When I'm headed downhill on singletrack, I usually don't feel like trying something new in my position. I think trying on stable ground will be a good start. I'll give it a shot tonight!

By the way, I earned my first medal (for 3rd place) at a mtn bike race this weekned, so I'm raring to go for more!

Thanks for the link to the other forum as well.

[Irulan]

way to go on the race, Rita.!!!

Sounds like maybe you want to work on getting looser on your bike. This is where you can be attatched only at four points, hands and feet, but really be relaxed and comfortable moving side to side, back and forth as your encounter various things riding.

There's a video clip here:
http://www.wildflowermtb.com/video.htm

that shows some of the skill they work on but look at how she shows side to side, that's one excercise you can use to get looser so you are more comfortable getting back.

Irulan

[han-grrl]

...but something i have found i had told some of the women i teach is to spread their legs...they had trouble getting their weight back on the saddle because they were squeezing the saddle with their inner thighs.