Mountain Biking - Feet Jumping Off Pedals

I'm having what I hope is a bit of a newbie problem. My feet sometimes jump off of the pedals when I'm going fast over rough terrain (roots, rocks, etc...). Because of this, I'm sometimes overly cautious when going down a rough downhill. A couple of times, I almost went down, because my feet came off the pedals. Sometimes I'll have an issue when I'm cranking up a steep hill. Yesterday, I ended up finishing a hill with my feet positioned with the center of the foot on the pedal, because I would've lost momentum if I had tried to shift my foot so the ball of the foot was back over the pedal.
Does anyone have any advice (technique, pedals, shoes, etc...)? I am positioning my weight rearword when going downhill, and forward when going uphill. Also, I'm getting out of the saddle when going over the rough stuff. My pedals are stock (Gary Fisher Marlin), and I'm wearing regular shoes (Sketchers).
BTW, clipless pedals are on the Christmas wish list.

The best thing to do for that is just use your legs as shocks a bit and absorb the rocks and roots. Just relax your knees and let the bike hop around but try to keep your body level. If your legs are stiff your feet tend get thrown off your pedals more.

Well, mtn bike season is almost over (here in New England anyway) so why not wait 'til Chrismas and see what Santa brings? In the meantime be careful and try not to bust your n*ts by slipping off the pedals. Better yet, buy your pedals and shoes now and ask for a cool new bike for Chrismas.
Seriously, when you climb you obviously have weight on your pedals but make sure when descending, you not only get your weight back, but keep it on the pedals and not on the seat. This'll both help keep your feet on the pedals and lower your center of gravity. I'm not sure what Sketchers are but do they have heels? If not, try riding with shoes that do have heels. Best of luck.
Great advice above from Dylan also.

aj

um, clipless pedals?

I had the same problem until I went clipless. I never solved it and maintaing weight on the pedals all the time for 6+miles was not easy for me. Since I went clipless my legs have taken so much less of a beating. I am however going faster, so I can say this from experience, don't worry about unclippping in a crash, you will be flying over the handlebars never having remembered unclipping. I proved that twice tonight.

um, clipless pedals?

that would work

Its just technique... I stay planted on my flat pedals as well as on the clipless pedals... you kind of learn how to move with the bike over the rough after awhile. I think it helps if you know how to jump/bunnyhop because you get used to "unweighting" the pedals. This sounds cheesey, but you do sort of have to "become one with the bike".

Well, mtn bike season is almost over (here in New England anyway

yeah, but it is the best time of the year to ride. These next two months are so sweeeeet!
Cool temps, crisp air, foliage, night riding.

[This sounds cheesey, but you do sort of have to "become one with the bike".]

Be the Bike. NANANANANANANANANaaaaaa

I'm wearing regular shoes (Sketchers).
BTW, clipless pedals are on the Christmas wish list.


Hey, I had the same Noob problem. I ended up with 10 to 12 stitches from the upper most Chainring. I would suggest getting Pedal Cages in the mean time - they are relatively cheap. I mean the cage that you stick you feet into; who knows the correct name.

"Clips", "clipless" - it's confusing. :)

Anyhow, the cages have helped keep my feet in order.

Do your pedals have pins in them to help give your shoe some grip, or just flat pedals. While waiting for your clipless, you could try some platform pedals with pins to see if they help--most websites will have some for around $30 (+ shipping). I'm currently using these and my feet stay planted:
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=108&subcategory=1181&brand=&sku=8042&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

you got to use your knees like the suspension of a FS bike.. everytime you see a root or something.. stand up and take the jerk into your knees and move them down to compensate for the sudden upwords movement that causes your legs to fly off the pedals.. this creates something similar to the rear suspension.. this is a no cost method.. if u got some cash.. then go for clipless pedals..

Thanks for all the advice. I'll try to be more conscious about letting my legs absorb more of the shock. Usually it happens at higher speeds over a rapid series of bumps; one root is usually not going to cause me a problem. Maybee I'm subconsciously tensing up over these rapid series of bumps.

Maybe I'm subconsciously tensing up over these rapid series of bumps.
That would be my guess

Going clipless will not help your problem. It is your pedal stroke that is the problem. Maybe your in a gear that is too low? Google pedal stroke and you should get some articles on it. Once you have fixed the problem then invest some money in a clipless system. To tell the truth- I have clipless but I don't use it. No problem.

-Good night now

To tell the truth- I have clipless but I don't use it.

how do you manage that?

err, with flats... I took my tiny pedals off, they are sitting unused in my garage.

That would be my guess


+1