Cornering advice...
Discussion
I am hoping I am not the only one with this issue here. When I'm out on my downhill bike, I can comfortable lean the bike into most berms and turn at speed, but only when turning left. When attempting a right hand turn, I just can't seem to lean no matter how hard I try. When I try too hard, I lose any little control I had in the first place and end up on the ground. I been riding for a few years but have only taking it more seriously in the last 6 months or so and this niggle is starting to frustrate me, as I lose all speed on right hand turns, or if not, crash.
Also, turning left feels natural and comfortable but turning right just feels sketchy and weird.
Has anyone experienced this before, and if so, what advice can you give in order to try to overcome this?
P.S I tried the same on an XC bike with the same results, but at slower speeds.
Also, turning left feels natural and comfortable but turning right just feels sketchy and weird.
Has anyone experienced this before, and if so, what advice can you give in order to try to overcome this?
P.S I tried the same on an XC bike with the same results, but at slower speeds.
Think about your body positioning on your good turn - outside foot pushing down on the pedal, outside knee out slightly, outside elbow up and try to relax. Once you've memorised your body position, which will probably come naturally, practice turning the other way but using the exact mirror image of that position.
Used to have the same issue in my very brief motorcycling career. I realised it was because I wasn't looking properly at where I wanted to go, I kept being fascinated by what I wanted to avoid and would inevitably hit it, or have to 'stop' and steer.
If you get your head pointing the right way, the rest of your body will follow.
If you get your head pointing the right way, the rest of your body will follow.
It's difficult to describe in text, if you are really struggling I would recommend getting some skills coaching.
Having someone else look at what you are doing they may be able to spot something straight away.
My tips would be try and turn your hips into the corner. This has the effect and shifting your body weight and also your head in the direction of the corner.
Load the outside pedal, stick the inside knee out if that helps as well and as already said, keep looking ahead, first to the apex and then to the exit line.
Having someone else look at what you are doing they may be able to spot something straight away.
My tips would be try and turn your hips into the corner. This has the effect and shifting your body weight and also your head in the direction of the corner.
Load the outside pedal, stick the inside knee out if that helps as well and as already said, keep looking ahead, first to the apex and then to the exit line.
Thanks for the replies. I agree that it is all about where you are looking. It is just odd that I can do it fine going left but not right. I will just keep practising until it clicks. It is only really an issue with the tighter technical trails rather than wider fast runs with drops / jumps. I didnt realise you could get lessons in this. Can anyone recommend someone good? Ideally in the downhill / trail side of things? Thanks
Defo a skill course, and in the mean time a skills DVD. You can learn a lot from both.
The advice above about stearing with your hips is the way to go. Also look at where you want to go, not at where you don't (ie if you look at the big rock, you'll hit the big rock). I watched skills DVD a while ago that came free with MBUK and had some great advice on cornering. In brief: lean the bike, not yourself.
The advice above about stearing with your hips is the way to go. Also look at where you want to go, not at where you don't (ie if you look at the big rock, you'll hit the big rock). I watched skills DVD a while ago that came free with MBUK and had some great advice on cornering. In brief: lean the bike, not yourself.
If its any consolation I am exactly the same but going left on the shallower turns - anything with a berm or camber is fine - anything between 20 degrees and 60 I become the Zoolander of mountain biking... My mates think its hilarious 
I just cant seem to get the front to bite, then panic and brake too much and end up going straight on.
Skills course for me too I think
I just cant seem to get the front to bite, then panic and brake too much and end up going straight on.Skills course for me too I think
I had a similar situation last year after breaking my right wrist. When i got back onto the bike i found that my right hand turns had really deteriorated, and i was stiff and "protective" of my right hand side. Because of that i wasn't committing to the turns with my hips enough. To fix that i stated some "flexing and stretching" specific excercises to ensure i had both a similar range of motion and a similar strength profile in my core and arms/legs. Then i did a skills course with Tony at Ukbikeskills who used video footage and specific tuition to show me where i was going wrong. In combination that fixed the issue, and i can pretty much bar-drag left or right hand turns on flat corners now ;-)
I think you described it really well. It does seem that I am being "protective" over the right side and hence not committing. I am also not relaxed on the bike when turning right. It is really annoying as I am more than comfortable with big drops and gaps but not turning right lol. I will call those guys later to see what they can do.
Thanks for everyone's responses!!
Thanks for everyone's responses!!
I struggle a bit with right turns... when I corner I keep my pedals level and will have the right one forward. I've found when turning right, things improve if I have my left foot forward but it's tricky trying to remember! 
I've done dirtschool at Glentress, brilliant http://www.dirtschool.co.uk/
I've done dirtschool at Glentress, brilliant http://www.dirtschool.co.uk/
BOBTEE said:
I struggle a bit with right turns... when I corner I keep my pedals level and will have the right one forward. I've found when turning right, things improve if I have my left foot forward but it's tricky trying to remember!
I've done dirtschool at Glentress, brilliant http://www.dirtschool.co.uk/
Thats what im gonna try next. I find it odd having my left foot forward when flat on the pedals but if it helps in the right turns, I will just have to put up with it until it becomes more natural. Spoke to a few more experienced bikers here at work and they all say, just keep practising, crashing, and practising more. I've done dirtschool at Glentress, brilliant http://www.dirtschool.co.uk/
romee2000 said:
Im in Oxfordshire but go to the London / Hertfordshire area weekly so anywhere from the midlands down really
I've heard lots of good things about Jedi at UK Bike Skills and he is near you:http://www.ukbikeskills.co.uk/
Yeah I spoke to him already. Seems like its a common thing. I will try some of the tips people have mentioned on here next time I'm out and if that does not seem to do anything, I might go and do it, as its local-ish.
Now I need to replace the chain guide I snapped last time I tried to turn a tight right at speed haha
Now I need to replace the chain guide I snapped last time I tried to turn a tight right at speed haha
I know they will travel within 40 miles of Hertford for free and @40p a mile thereafter to whatever location you want.
Which aspect of being crap in the air? Take off / mid-air / or landing?
Oddly enough I have no issues at all with big drops and gaps.....but can't master the basics of turning right lol
Which aspect of being crap in the air? Take off / mid-air / or landing?
Oddly enough I have no issues at all with big drops and gaps.....but can't master the basics of turning right lol
romee2000 said:
I know they will travel within 40 miles of Hertford for free and @40p a mile thereafter to whatever location you want.
Which aspect of being crap in the air? Take off / mid-air / or landing?
Oddly enough I have no issues at all with big drops and gaps.....but can't master the basics of turning right lol
All of the above. Having watched myself on video, it's like I have no business being off the ground. I try and bunnyhop off the lip, then can't fly straight, and landing is just a consequence of the ground rushing up to meet me.Which aspect of being crap in the air? Take off / mid-air / or landing?
Oddly enough I have no issues at all with big drops and gaps.....but can't master the basics of turning right lol
Would love someone to show me how to actually do it. I used to ride BMX vert ffs, but I just can't get the hang of a "straight" jump on a mountain bike.
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