Give Tim Information About Bike Stuff Thread (formerly What tires should i buy?)

Thanks for all the advice. I'm gonna keep at the skills. If you see a goofball riding back and forth in the grassy areas down here, feel free to point and laugh.
 
TimBay said:
Thanks for all the advice. I'm gonna keep at the skills. If you see a goofball riding back and forth in the grassy areas down here, feel free to point and laugh.
Click to expand...
you can always use a critic.... you may end up hating them one day but you'll learn from them
 
TimBay said:
I also have to work on technique and confidence since I'm sure 90% of my wipe out yesterday was due to braking from lack of confidence going into a steep sharp turn.
Click to expand...

Ok, let’s start with a couple simple rules.

If you’re tense on the the bike, you can’t react as well, so loosen that death grip and relax... everything.


Try to only brake in a straight line. Brake hard BEFORE the turn so you can roll through the turn. When you brake during the turn you run a high risk of your tire breaking traction... and wiping out.

On a turn, if your rear tire starts to slide out, ignore it and double down on the front. Push the front tire in to the ground for traction and the rear WILL come around. If the front washes out...ya ded.

Front brakes require finesse or you’ll turn your bike into a catapult. You have been warned.
 
TimBay said:
FTFY.
Click to expand...
Why change the title... should have just put it in your amusement thread
But anyways... as like you, saw all the mtb skills videos and said to myself that I will practice but soon came to realize that without having the fitness, it seemed meaningless. Sure I goof around a bit here and there but nothing substantial. Perhaps this is why I still suck at riding. However, some skills, like track stand, do come naturally with enuff time on the saddle. I am sure you will develop a skill faster by practicing and by no means am I trying to discourage you from practicing. You should and I am sure it will be very rewarding. Personally, I would much rather build fitness and get faster first before trying to manual or bunny hop.
 
This may or may not help but if you have someone watching you that knows they can give pointers on your technique.
 
Mtbdog said:
This may or may not help but if you have someone watching you that knows they can give pointers on your technique.
Click to expand...
This is why I hate it when you are on my rear wheel... I could just feel you cringing at every turn I make lol
 
RobW said:
Also just check out the beginner Tuesday ride at allaire. There’s always people there who can help and encourage you through new skills.
Click to expand...
Does that get posted on here? I'm guessing it hasnt started yet.
 
Paul H said:
Why change the title... should have just put it in your amusement thread
But anyways... as like you, saw all the mtb skills videos and said to myself that I will practice but soon came to realize that without having the fitness, it seemed meaningless. Sure I goof around a bit here and there but nothing substantial. Perhaps this is why I still suck at riding. However, some skills, like track stand, do come naturally with enuff time on the saddle. I am sure you will develop a skill faster by practicing and by no means am I trying to discourage you from practicing. You should and I am sure it will be very rewarding. Personally, I would much rather build fitness and get faster first before trying to manual or bunny hop.
Click to expand...
That would have made too much sense. I want it all! And I'm all about fitness...fit'n'ess breakfast burrito in my mouth! JK
 
TimBay said:
In order of importance: Manual, Bunny Hop, Trail Stand? Go! I want to spend 20-30 minutes of each ride split before/after practicing skills. Huber and Harts both have nice grassy areas to practice. I've used them a bit and really want to work on being a better rider.

(I should stop watching skills videos after working late while drinking wine)
Click to expand...
Wheelies before manuals . Get comfortable covering the rear brake to avoid loop out and stay in that neutral balance zone then manuals will be much easier to learn .
 
Ryan.P said:
Wheelies before manuals . Get comfortable covering the rear brake to avoid loop out and stay in that neutral balance zone then manuals will be much easier to learn .
Click to expand...
is it easier to learn wheelies on a slight incline?
Need to get back to this after falling on my head last year, been a bit reluctant will this skill
Mismounting during a loop out is hard for me
 
Agree with others that said to learn how to track stand. Practice on a road facing uphill, ideally with flat pedals so you don't have to worry about clipless accidents. Pedal forward slightly and then let gravity moving you backward. Just rock back and forth to practice the balance, and then eventually you don't need to rock back and forth as much to stay up. Maybe someday you'll be able to do it on flat ground. Being able to track stand will greatly improve your ability to ride through challenging terrain.
 
qclabrat said:
is it easier to learn wheelies on a slight incline?
Need to get back to this after falling on my head last year, been a bit reluctant will this skill
Mismounting during a loop out is hard for me
Click to expand...
Idk I guess in theory. As long as you can grab the brake there should be no reason to loop out .
 
qclabrat said:
is it easier to learn wheelies on a slight incline?
Need to get back to this after falling on my head last year, been a bit reluctant will this skill
Mismounting during a loop out is hard for me
Click to expand...
I would imagine an incline would make it easier to lift the front end, but would also make it easier to loop out. I know they say manuals are better on a decline so you can just let the hill carry you forward. IDK.
 
JimN said:
Agree with others that said to learn how to track stand. Practice on a road facing uphill, ideally with flat pedals so you don't have to worry about clipless accidents. Pedal forward slightly and then let gravity moving you backward. Just rock back and forth to practice the balance, and then eventually you don't need to rock back and forth as much to stay up. Maybe someday you'll be able to do it on flat ground. Being able to track stand will greatly improve your ability to ride through challenging terrain.
Click to expand...
I like doing stands even though I suck at them. It's definitely already helped me in tough climbs. I was amazed with myself climbing a tough line trying to avoid hikers until I caught a pedal on a stupid tree and messed up. I'm actually even starting to like steep climbs for the challenge of balancing my weight between keeping the front down while maintaining enough weight on the back to not spin the tire.
 
RobW said:
edit- @fidodie can turn 300 for an hour but somewhere in the woods that isnt as important as skills to ride trails. because without skills you cannot turn 300 watts consecutively.
Click to expand...

not even close!

but i do have that peak wattage for 5 seconds thing down.
all that does is get me to the place of the crash a bit faster.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom