Mountain Biking - Help on log jumping!!!!

Is there a proper technique for jumping logs? I ask because some of the trails I ride have lots of them. Some I can clear without wacking the crank, others I can't.

I just bent my big ring rather severely when I went over a BIG (10+ inch) log that was crooked on the trail. I had to use an adjustable wrench to tweak it back so its rideable. I don't think I can get away with this trick more than once before it snaps.

The LBS tells me to get a bashguard, however, I frequently use the big ring on the trail, so this isn't an option. A self-respecting road nazi such as myself would never go without a big ring anyways. The bike would look funny to me.

How do you guys cope with this? I don't want to be destroying the new XT cranks I will soon be fitting.

Get a bash ring or learn to bunnyhop.

There are still some places (like Beyond Bikes) where you can still buy the old-skool Tooth Fairy bash guard - - saw-toothed gurad that bolts OUTBOARD of your big ring, so that you can still run your 44. I believe the old Girvin Rock Ring was a similar design.

You use your big ring on trails?

Purely Custom makes a bash guard for three rings:

http://www.purelycustom.com/c-71-3x1-armor.aspx

Get a bash ring or learn to bunnyhop.

Maybe you should take your own advice :roflmao2:

Yeah, I actually do use the big ring. I recently moved to NC and the singletrack is really nice and flowy. Maybe I just really sucked before, and actually can keep up momentum alot better now.

It seems the proper course of action is just to learn to bunny hop. That may take a little while. I now have a good reason to learn it.

Those Tooth Fairy rings are pretty sweet though. I like the fact that they still have some teeth so you can dig it in, unlike the other smooth guards.

Maybe you should take your own advice :roflmao2:

:notamused:


Yeah, I actually do use the big ring. I recently moved to NC and the singletrack is really nice and flowy. Maybe I just really sucked before, and actually can keep up momentum alot better now.

It seems the proper course of action is just to learn to bunny hop. That may take a little while. I now have a good reason to learn it.

Those Tooth Fairy rings are pretty sweet though. I like the fact that they still have some teeth so you can dig it in, unlike the other smooth guards.

What part of NC?

What part of NC?Shouldn't you already know this - - isn't he a cousin or something?

Shouldn't you already know this - - isn't he a cousin or something?

Once again.......:notamused:

I just moved to Chapel Hill, NC from Madison, WI. It is very exciting to have 30 miles of trail and not even have to drive to get to it. It is hot as blazes and you can cut the humidity with a knife, but otherwise not bad. I had to drive at least an hour to get anywhere decent in WI.

Back to bunny-hopping practice.....

oh, if you ever want to see a cool bunny-hopping video, check out the lalonde brothers racing cross. it is impressive to watch them going over cross barriers... such mad skills are still beyond me.

There are still some places (like Beyond Bikes) where you can still buy the old-skool Tooth Fairy bash guard - - saw-toothed gurad that bolts OUTBOARD of your big ring, so that you can still run your 44. I believe the old Girvin Rock Ring was a similar design.

It's good having old guys around.

Your options and as mentioned ;

1) Learn to bunny hop/J-Hop, good for higher speed. If possible, use a smaller root, rock or dirt mound to help gain lift before the log.

2) Learn to manual up to the log and then lift your rear tire up and over as soon as it hits the log, same technique as #1 but with a few timing differences, requires less air time and you can pedal through. Better for lower speeds.

3) Replace big ring with bash guard, swap your middle ring out for a 38t ring and be sure to run a road cassette out back, ohhh 11-21 would be good unless you want to keep the lower gears then just keep an 11-32

4) BlackSpire still makes a bash ring to fit OUTSIDE the big ring and so do a few other companies. Google BlackSpire and look through their site.

5) Most important, practice, practice, practice AND try and ride with riders who have more skill then you and can show you a few things.