Thats ok... But where do i go from here ?

[tricky69]

I have recently been getting back into mountain biking.. something i used to love when i was younger. I have been cycling about 13 miles 3/4 times a week from work and really enjoy it. I have a Spec Stumpy expert.. great bike, really light and solid. The thing is i am finding it a bit limited when doing downhill stuff, nothing major but small drops and tight turns i find it difficult to go 100% a i don't trust the bike to stick. The thing is how do i know if it is me or my bike that is falling short ?

The next step i guess is either to carry on and make do with the bike i have, or do i get a new bike ? Without having a infinite amount of cash i don't want to spend a fortune, but do i go for and stumpy FSR or should i go for something more extreme like an Enduro ?

The areas i love about riding are downhill and tough climbs, and long rides... so the ideal bike need to be able to deal with all these things, as well as having the stumpy i have for getting to and from work with a bit of fun on the way back..

So... what do i do ?

[skibum]

Is there a place where you can rent a Full Susser near your trails so that you can try one out and see if it makes a difference?

[RobDickinson]

You dont need a full suser to 'stick'.

It could well be technique, having unloaded wheels (i.e. bad weigth distribution) will cause your wheels to be light and not grip.

Try standing next to your bike and pushing it sideways, then again with a lot of down force on a wheel.

For pretty much any (technical) riding you want all your weight on your pedals, off your seat and 'light hands' on the handlebars ( no weight just holding).

And when going downhill you want your elbows/knees out, legs slightly bent and head 18inches or so above the handlebars.

But KEY is to have your heels down. This, with your weight on the pedals, locks you in at the bottom bracket.

Any time one wheel feels light or washes out (typicaly front as you've backed off) its because of poor weight distribution.

Any time you cant manouver quickly or easily, poor weight distribution.

Any time you cant use your front brake fully, poor weight distribution and not locked in with your heels down.

Ofcourse poor tyres wont help some but technique is key.

[tricky69]

skibum said:

Is there a place where you can rent a Full Susser near your trails so that you can try one out and see if it makes a difference?

Did not even think about that... will ask my local bike hole

[tricky69]

RobDickinson said:

correct technique

I feel i am pretty good with my distribution, i have been riding for a while and don't have too many issues but just find when i have riden a full sus it rides better and is more fun

It maybe a few bad habits that are causeing the problem, that and confidence... Riding yesterday over some rooted and very technical areas was tough but think that was more to do with my confidence like i said as after doing it a few times i got a lot faster