Mountain Biking - Newbie - dual vs XC vs Dh etc

Hiya,

I've just started riding a mountain bike (4 weeks) and have been having a ball.

I do need to know what the differences are between Downhill, dual, single, cross country, and other forms of MTB'ing.

This is especially important as I've entered a dual event next week and would like to know exactly what I'm getting myself in for :-)

Ta
Matt

Bravo Matt and welcome to the forums. Takes some gusto to enter a Dual Slalom after just getting into the sport. I'm assuming you're a BMXer, crossing over to the 26" world.

Downhill(DH), is exactly that, a downhill course with many obstacles, drops, jumps, tight turns, rock gardens...etc. You against the clock! Lowest time overall wins. Bikes are super beefy, long travel up to 8 inches up front and up to 9 inches in the rear. Bikes can weigh up to 45 lbs.

Dual slalom (DS), shorter courses, berms, jumps, tighter turns, designated course lanes with gates (flags) you must negotiate. You against another, usually ride two mottos, one on each side of the course, lowest overall time advances to the next round. Bikes are lighter have shorter travel, some racers use hardtails.

Cross Country (XC) is you against the pack. Courses are long distance, usually single track, some dirt roads, fireroads, always stretches of long climbs, endurance events (up to 2.5 to 3 hours). Lightweight bikes (around 25 lbs) most racers still only use suspension forks, but some are switching to lightweight full suspension bikes.

Hope that helps
L8R G8R

:D

What kinda bike do you have?

Dual over in Europe is different than Dual Slalom here in the states. Dual Courses are pretty much the same as DS but no lanes, so it is a free for all for the best line! Dual and DS both take a lot of Moxy, my helmet goes off to you.

Ooooohh, that's sounds scarier than I thought.

When I said I had no idea, I was not lying. Never ridden BMX, rode to school and back on a 10 speed road bike when I was a kid. Used to race motorcycles (125GP) in Oz but only on tarmac not on the dirt.

There is a BMX track where I ride and have ridden around it. Couldn't manage the doubles, bike felt a bit big. Hopefully the Dual course won't be as extreme. Guess I'll have to practice on that this week.

My bike is 2001 Kona Caldera. Which I reckon is pretty nice, I like the forks, quite nice to ride, goes down hills better than up (or is that just me).

What sort of equipment will I need for the weekend (1 dual race and 1 XC). Assume I have not much at all.

As for having a lot of Moxie......I think you may be confusing that with a lack of brains and common sense :)

Hi Matty and welcome to the forums...

You should be able to get away with one bike for both the Dual and XC races..all you need do is lower the seat in the Dual. If you've got a Kona, you'll be able to take full advantage of the sloping downtube on this. If the bike comes with barends, then take these off for the Dual, and depending what pedles you use, either flat or SPuD's should be ok.

May I too take off my hat for you trying out both XC and Dual in the same weekend...hehe, reminds me of the old days when you tried everything over the weekend....

Good luck

Rich :thumbup:

Other recommended equip. Elbow and knee pads and a bit better helmet (full face fiberglass), for the dual. If you have some motocross (or BMX) pants, they offer a lot of protection. You can probably borrow these from a mate. I'd stick with platform pedals and definately some full-fingered gloves. Bike set-up, softer suspension, lower your tire pressure, seat much lower, set limit screw in front derailleur to prevent going into the "granny" gear.

As far as the XC goes, I prefer a hydration pack (i.e. Camelback) vs. carrying two water bottles. Besides that, I'd stiffen up the suspension for the XC, it'll make the ride a little bit harsher, but will prevent any power loss, tire pressure will be toward the higher end of the spectrum unless the conditions are loose or muddy. General rule, if riding hard surfaces, tires are harder, adjust accordingly.

Good Luck and let us know how you fare.
L8R G8R:beer: :D :D