Improving traction in turns - Mountain bike

Improving traction in turns and the techniques that one may use when on the trails.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• mountain
• biking
• traction
• turns
• turning
• sliding
• crash
• loose
• wheel
• steering
• ride
• bike

[blackdubsociety]

What about sticking your knee out through a turn? A friend of mine says its to help lean the bike more. To me this makes no sense, why would I want to add any extra mass on the inside when turning? I've only been riding 2 years so I still consider myself a noob. I don't practice the technique, simply because it sounds like bad advise.

[HealthyNactive]

@blackdubsociety, on tight switchbacks, I move my knee to the inside of the turn to start my weight transfer to the inside of the turn. Other than that, my knees are aligned with the pedals to my hips. Some people develop techniques that work well for them.

[HealthyNactive]

@kamara3686, Hi, in my older videos my bike weighed about 28lbs. My current bike is a Trek EX9 which weighs close to 30lbs. Most cross country or trail MTB's weigh around 30lbs or so. All mountain and downhill bikes can weigh 40+ pounds because of the heavy duty components. A heaver bike will get you in really good shape when you climb a lot!.

[kamara3686]

@HealthyNactive Although I have not gone to a mountain trail to ride my mtb yet, your videos are totally preparing me mentally. I really appreciate your videos. I do have one question: I did see your video on saving weight on your bike by changing certain parts, what kind of bike do you have (total weight)? I may have bought that may be too heavy (about 45lbs). Will this make a difference when i do hit the trails?

[HealthyNactive]

@4thatdude1, I've ran the Fire XC Pro's on the back and have tried and switched to others over the years. I find that the 2.1 Fire XC Pro's are excellent tires for the rear. Great overall grip, not bad rolling resistance and good wear, not too soft. Can pick them up for $30 on sale.

[HealthyNactive]

@OtherVincentLee, in general, that is good advice for most mtb'ers. It's best to be able to bike another day as we are not racing...

[4thatdude1]

@HealthyNactive I like my Panaracer Fire XC Pros, personally. I really haven't tried any as knobby as those Nevegals, but these are working out pretty well. :)

[slkjohn]

Great vid. I find that when I'm hitting any bermed corner (even at moderate speeds) that keeping the opposite pedal down really helps me drive my weight into the ground and I feel like my bike is glued. The only time I keep my pedals level when cornering is if there's stuff like rocks sticking up. I'm running WTB Velociraptors on my Fuel EX8 right now, and I like them a lot.

[OtherVincentLee]

I like to get on the brakes early for corners to avoid crashes.

[HealthyNactive]

@molimhvalaizvoli, yes good eye you have there. One of the best I've used as well and I find myself always going back to it. (Will make a vid sometime on tires) Try the WTB Mutano Raptor, it's lighter, rolls faster, not as aggressive but pretty good for basic trails. (Not good for wet conditions)

[molimhvalaizvoli]

Kenda Nevegal front? the best front ive ever used, grips like crazy, allows brutal angles, but huuuge rolling resistance. Im gonna try WTB Stout now.

[HealthyNactive]

@kamara3686, your the winner! Hmm, I don't have a prize yet... =) Wish I did, like some gloves or something...

[kamara3686]

im the first view for this video...lol