Mountain Biking - Jumps and the like. Clipped in or loose?

Guys,

some of your rodents can do mean jumps and tricks. The only thing that scares me trying to do anything over a few inches is whether I'd lose my feet or not. The general rule when doing a tricky descent is to sit back behind the seat. I tried that but found I had almost no secure grip on the pedals, like my feet were going to slip off without any hesitation. At the same time I don't want to ride clipped in. It's just a fear thing that makes me want to keep my feet loose for a quick touchdown when I need to (and that's often). When you do your techie rides and descents do you always do it sitting way back and clipped in?

I think it's the fear of my feet slipping off and taking a hard fall that prevents me jumping no higher than a rat's fart. What's the best way to tackle this?

hmmm...practice. You learn how to not slip off. It is habit. I am more scared of staying clipped in then slipping off (and no one pop in here saying it doesn't happen because I have seen enough accidents mid air to know otherwise) Pointing your toes down helps as does proper shoes and great pedals. When I do really technical rides (decents, drops, dh, jumps, skinnies etc) I stay centred based on the ground and never wear clipless.

This could be bad pedals or worse shoes. I use skater shoes now and never having any problems with slippage. Just something to consider.

Guys,

some of your rodents can do mean jumps and tricks. The only thing that scares me trying to do anything over a few inches is whether I'd lose my feet or not. The general rule when doing a tricky descent is to sit back behind the seat. I tried that but found I had almost no secure grip on the pedals, like my feet were going to slip off without any hesitation. At the same time I don't want to ride clipped in. It's just a fear thing that makes me want to keep my feet loose for a quick touchdown when I need to (and that's often). When you do your techie rides and descents do you always do it sitting way back and clipped in?

I think it's the fear of my feet slipping off and taking a hard fall that prevents me jumping no higher than a rat's fart. What's the best way to tackle this?


The only way your feet will slide off is if your pedals have no grip, or the soles of your shoes are too hard.

I think it helps to start off using flats. I got the Time Z pedals because I wanted clipless, but like you I was scared to get technical while clipped in. It gets easier with practice, I rarely unclip now even in tricky decents, and only if the fall would be more than a few feet. I don't do big jumps or drops, being clipped in for that probably isn't wise.

Hey Bokkie, when you get your weight back on steep descents you should also drop your heals a bit which will help you to drive your feet into the pedals. Also, you do not always have to have your arse hanging over your rear tire. Be sure your weight is low. Bend you knees, elbows bent and outwards and stay as low as possible. If you look at the real fast riders their chin guards are almost touching their bars on steep terrain.

As for jumps, every so often you will have your feet come off the pedals a little depending on how high you get. It is possible to keep them from raising off but it will take practice.

With drops, it will just take practice. Start off with some thing, say 2' or 3', and just practice. If you can get some one to video tape you, then do a few with little variations in your technique and see which one has your feet firmly on the the pedals. Then try and duplicate it every time.

The above is if you need to think. The best way is to just relax and not think about what may happen or panic. Just go with the flow. If you start to think to much about what you need to be doing you will crash.

:beer:

...when you get your weight back on steep descents you should also drop your heals a bit which will help you to drive your feet into the pedals...do not always have to have your arse hanging over your rear tire. Be sure your weight is low. Bend you knees, elbows bent and outwards and stay as low as possible...for jumps, every so often you will have your feet come off the pedals a little depending...drops...will just take practice...just relax and not think about what may happen or panic...

dbd,

Thanks for an excellent explanation. I was not sure whether I could ever master the noble art of butt-hanging over the rear wheel. It all looked so 'untidy' and for me, impractical as I could never see how I could possibly stay connected to the pedals. I certainly appreciate that you know these things from experience as you are a downhill rider. Next time I'm out in the forest, I'll look for ways to practice.