Pointers on MTB technique please

[Spudmaster]

Hello

Relatively new to this Mountain Bike lark and having a lot of fun on my HardTail Cube.

I do, however, regularly fail on one point. On steeper uphill technical rocky type sections, my front wheel regularly lifts off the ground when my mates keep going- naturally this cannot normally be saved and the initial reaction is foot down- thus fail.

I am guessing it is something to do with technique and weight distribution- ie not enough weight on front...

So, how best to set myself up on these bits:

Stand up off saddle & lean forwards?
Stay in saddle & try to lean forwards?
Lower saddle & reduce centre of gravity?
Is stem length a factor?
Am I in the wrong gear and effectively pedalling too hard?
Give up & get a road bike?
Sorry if these sound like stupid questions- but I am a relative Newbie...

Cheers in advance

Spud

[Vladimir]

Stay on the saddle but perched on the nose. Lean your upper body forwards; its a real balancing act!

[Gargamel]

Spudmaster said:

Hello

Relatively new to this Mountain Bike lark and having a lot of fun on my HardTail Cube.

I do, however, regularly fail on one point. On steeper uphill technical rocky type sections, my front wheel regularly lifts off the ground when my mates keep going- naturally this cannot normally be saved and the initial reaction is foot down- thus fail.

I am guessing it is something to do with technique and weight distribution- ie not enough weight on front...

So, how best to set myself up on these bits:

Stand up off saddle & lean forwards?
Stay in saddle & try to lean forwards?
Lower saddle & reduce centre of gravity?
Is stem length a factor?
Am I in the wrong gear and effectively pedalling too hard?
Give up & get a road bike?
Sorry if these sound like stupid questions- but I am a relative Newbie...

Cheers in advance

Spud

Gear too low usually. I prefer I slightly higher gear, then I have to stand up lean forward and push hard.

[Vladimir]

Standing means you aren't as smooth with your pedalling.

A front wheel coming up is just too much weight at the back. You need to get the balance point right - too far back and you lose your steering, too far forwards and you traction goes. Very satisfying getting it just right on a serious slope. Not so good when you slip, can't unclip and fall off backwards...!

[Spudmaster]

Using flat pedals thankfully- so clips one less thing to think about!

Will work on finding the balance...

Another silly question- do I have my saddle too high if the crotch on my shorts catches on the front every time I shift weight backwards? IE: Should I set the saddle lower for tighter, technical type stuff than the faster trails / road?

[Vladimir]

Spudmaster said:

Using flat pedals thankfully- so clips one less thing to think about!

Will work on finding the balance...

Another silly question- do I have my saddle too high if the crotch on my shorts catches on the front every time I shift weight backwards? IE: Should I set the saddle lower for tighter, technical type stuff than the faster trails / road?

It's more the shape of the saddle. General rule - when the pedal is down, stick your heel on it and your leg should be almost straight. You might want to drop the saddle for DH stuff but for most riding, keep it high or you'll waste energy sitting "on your legs."

I don't like coming off the back of the saddle much - it also catches. Saddles with very rounded back ends are useful for non catching.

[Gren]

Vladimir said:

Stay on the saddle but perched on the nose. Lean your upper body forwards; its a real balancing act!

This should be all you need to do. Lower gear will stop the bike lurching with every push which can also lift the nose.

I had the same problem with my Cube but I put it down to it being the first decent mtb I'd owned and the fork/wheel combo was about a stone lighter up front!

[joema]

Being in the right gear.

Think about your line up the obstacle

If you feel your front coming up push yourself forward and push down on the pedals. You may need to get out of the saddle.

Don't give up and get a road bike (they're boring ;-) )

[Vladimir]

This is worth a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkS8nzvqfPA

[anonymous-user]

Being a pedal masher and stomping the leading pedal down also makes life difficult in steep/slippy conditions. Smooth circular pedalling keeps you going forwards, just hovering the front wheel & maximises traction!

[Ian_sUK]

Spudmaster said:

Another silly question- do I have my saddle too high if the crotch on my shorts catches on the front every time I shift weight backwards? IE: Should I set the saddle lower for tighter, technical type stuff than the faster trails / road?

Look at dropper seatposts.

[FarQue]

Vladimir said:

Stay on the saddle but perched on the nose. Lean your upper body forwards; its a real balancing act!

This, and low gear.

[BOBTEE]

Keep your elbows low too

[Spudmaster]

All good stuff thanks- will try to get home in good time to get out & give it a try tonight.

Cheers!

SM

[Mr E]

BOBTEE said:

Keep your elbows low too

This. Drop your wrists and elbows, it'll put your weight further over the nose of the bike.
As discussed, try to spin not stomp.

[anonymous-user]

Too sumamrise, low gear, high cadence, weight forwards, pick your line and mtfu....

[Samcat]

pablo said:

Too sumamrise, low gear, high cadence, weight forwards, pick your line and mtfu....

Climbing hills on a MTB, right there in one sentence.

[Daveyraveygravey]

pablo said:

Too sumamrise, low gear, high cadence, weight forwards, pick your line and mtfu....

Keep your bum on the saddle too. It's a balance between keeping the front wheel on the deck, and the back wheel gripping, if either of these happens you'll stop dead. You almost want to be in the roadies "flat-back" position, keeps your weight low.

[anonymous-user]

Daveyraveygravey said:

Keep your bum on the saddle too. It's a balance between keeping the front wheel on the deck, and the back wheel gripping, if either of these happens you'll stop dead. You almost want to be in the roadies "flat-back" position, keeps your weight low.

A lot of the problem is the recent trend away from fitting bar ends.

Staying seated means you cant use your upper body on the climbs for extra leverage. Imagine climbing seated on a road bike with your hands on top of the bars and not being able to stand up and use the hoods.

Using bar ends means you can move your weight around whilst climbing and you have far more control compared to staying seated. You could get out of the saddle for a burst if you needed to and not rely on mashing your thighs whist seated.

I'm not sure why they have become unpopular though, x-lite stubbies were on every mountain bike I have ever owned.

[Vladimir]

Pablo; I think a fair few riders (myself included) speared themselves on them. I've not had any since 1997!