Mountain Biking - Couple of questions here.. i'm just starting out with the biking thang

Hey, i'm a new biker.. well new to serious biking anyway >=)

i'll be getting my first real bike soon.. a 2001 Specialized Rockhopper Pro for 725 bucks from my LBS. They offer free tune ups/repairs and honor all warrenties for the life of the bike. I figured that was a pretty great deal.. what with almost 300 dollars off list price AND the free tuneups/repairs. I tried it out and fell in LOVE with the thing.. i HAD to have it >=)



heres a totally random question:

How do you bunny hop?! I can pop my front tire off the ground very high, but i have no idea how you'd get the back up.. do you need to use clip pedals? that would make sense...


and another questions.. could someone summarize for me good places to center your weight for different applications?

for example.. when i go down VERY steep+short passages, i tend to keep my weight over the rear tire.. which seems to work well because there isnt much weight over the front tire, so when i hit the ground at an 80 degree angle the bike doesnt manual up and flip on me.

so where should i center it for climbing, desecnding.. sprinting.. etc etc. what are appropriate times to ride in the seat?


anyone have tips on how to do a wheelie? always wanted to do one :D

well thats all i've got for now.. i have no doubt i'll be back to harass you guys with more of my questions >=)

thanks!

hmm...

ohh i forgot.. tips on going down cement stairs?

and...uh... (i'm such a question-*****)


i tend to ALWAYS use my rear brake.. i'm always afraid i'll flip if i use my front brake.

would the front brake flip the bike forwards if going quickly? thats not exactly the kind of thing i want to find out through experience >=)

Actually you learn (sometimes the hard way) that you can stop with a lot more control and speed using the front. I can stop on a dime going full speed using front and rear. Can't do that with rear only.

for a 2001 that sounds a bit much but I will let the price experts tell ya if that is value.



How do you bunny hop?! I can pop my front tire off the ground very high, but i have no idea how you'd get the back up.. do you need to use clip pedals? that would make sense...


Lift front and explode into a jump with the rear while in the same instant pushing up and out on the handlebars...:D...sounds fun eh?
http://www.nsmb.com/trail_tales/askhoots_bunny_04_03.php

Ascending and descending are a feel thing. You should always maintain a centred point for example if going down a slight dh you would stick your butt back a bit. If going down a steep chute I might have my ass way out over the rear tire and my stomach on the seat. Its the opposite going up. You pull your butt forward and are sometime left standing off the seat with your ass low (close to the top tube) in order to maintain traction. In the end this is a feel thing based on your riding style, bike and ability...:)

Ride in the seat 90% of the time. On really steep uphills and really technical rooty sections it allows for faster travel to pop out of the seat and use your legs like suspension.

Wheelie - pedal HARD, lift up and be ready to brake before you flip backwards. This is a balance thing.

Cement stairs are easy...point and go...in reality there isn't anything to these except the mental apect. Just stick your ass out behind you...if a bmxer can do it on his little wheel I am sure 26" with suspension won't flip :D...

Sure sounds like you are a rank beginner (no worries we all were). Try trackstanding first. Bring your bike to a complete stop and just stand there on your bike feathering your brakes and using your body to keep the bike upright. Moving the wheel left and right to help maintain balance.

Good luck :)

thanks!

Mael answered most of what I was going to say. I'll add that you should use about 70% front brake and 30% rear brake while riding. If you keep your weight back while braking, you won't flip (unless you're going real fast and grab a fistful of brake).

Bunny Hopping is better to learn with regular pedals (a.k.a. platforms). Don't use clips, you'll cheat and never learn the proper technique. Couple of tips. Wear smooth rubber soles, (not running shoes with any type of lugged sole). Wear shin guards and a helmet. Practice in the grass. And hop over an obstacle. A 2x4 is great for this. You'll actually do better if you have an actual object to concentrate clearing. Watch a cat when they leap. They compress, then lunge forward. The tip is to get your front tire high, and then you push forward on the bars. The momentum you carry while lifting the front wheel will keep it going up as you push forward on the bars. Also, you actually push down with your feet. Point your toes downward to help grip the pedals.

Wheelies; are all a matter of finding your balance point. Find an easy to pedal gear but not so easy you spin out. Find a slight incline. While pedaling at a walking pace, put one finger on the rear brake and then as you pedal around the top of your pedal stroke with your "chocolate foot" (preferred/stronger foot) you shift your weight back and pull up on the bars. The harder you pedal the easier it becomes. This will cause the tire to elevate. Keep pedaling. You need to find the point where you're about the tip back. Feather your brake to keep you from going over too far. You find a compromise between using the brake and pedaling harder to keep your weight centered above the rear wheel. This takes LOTS and LOTS of practice.

L8R

thanks much