Mountain Biking - Technique question

I seem to be nearly started a thread here daily... soz bout that.

Anyways, on we go.

On one of the trails around me there are a few stupid dips, which are a tiny bit wider than a bike wheel and about a 3rd of the depth. How am I meant to get past these without loosing too much momentum? They've got really steep sides and I can't figure it out, they are also kinda hard to avoid.

Any tips?

If they're that small, a hop should suffice.

I've tried that but can't manage it, partly because I'm not good at hopping and partly because its in the middle of a rooty section.

Then just go through it, or try and hop the front wheel over it, and power the rear through.

Go to Youtube and search for Brian Lopes 4x

Watch how he handles 1-2' rollers and the like. Use alot of "body english".

Not necessarily hop, but pull up on your bars and float the front wheel and let your rear wheel deal with them...

yeah, like what bikinfool said....

I'd just throw the front over and "let the rear deal with it."

I'm surprised my rear wheel hasn't broken yet.

I've tried that but my rear wheel just plumets down the side, looses all momentum then I have to pedal back up out of it. I'll check out that vid sometime when I have a bit of time on my hands.

When your rear wheel drops down in...shift your weight forward so the majority of your weight isn't driving the wheel into the opposite edge of the hole that it's trying to get up out of.


Make sure you're standing up, Ralph.

Check out some BMX racing and keep an eye on the roller/whoop-dee-doo section :thumb:

well, if you have that much momentum to lose, you could just work on your hops to get over it. If you don't have enough momentum to fly a foot, there isn't much you're trying to save, and pedaling out of it isn't that big of a deal.

alternately, mod the trail. bury a 2x4 into the banks of the dips, and ride over it.

well, if you have that much momentum to lose, you could just work on your hops to get over it. If you don't have enough momentum to fly a foot, there isn't much you're trying to save, and pedaling out of it isn't that big of a deal.

alternately, mod the trail. bury a 2x4 into the banks of the dips, and ride over it.

Well it's 3 foot. There is a trail building group there so I suppose I could go along and suggest it/help them do it. Pedaling out isn't to much of a problem but it is quite a square side, it's not exactly nice and rolling.

I suppose you mean 3ft in length, and then a foot in depth? That IS a bit of a hop when you don't have too much momentum. I thought the length was only a foot and a half, or around there. Sorry for my misunderstanding.

You could just make it rolling... and it won't seem like that big of a deal.

You could just make it rolling... and it won't seem like that big of a deal.

What, just knock off the lips and fill in the bottom a bit? seems like a pretty good idea infact. I think the only reason it's there is because of people riding it when it's too wet.

If they are trail drainage features, don't fill them in and don't work on them without the concurrence of the trail steward/land manager. I'm having trouble picturing your situation somewhat...got any pics?

If you can, pump that stuff, that way you feel sweet and gain speed.

I'll be going out riding saturday and will try and take some pics then. Dw, it's definatly not for drainage.

I still wouldn't recommend messing with the trail. Other bikers might enjoy that feature.

The others are right 'bout the legality issues and checking with the uppers and whatnot. However, if you're the type who adopts the "screw it, lets go" attitude, I'd level off a part of it. Just bring a shovel and slice an incline. You wouldn't be filling anything in, just making a smoother transition.

A heavy slam with the back wheel would probably knock it enough, I'll look into when the trail builders meet though (well, I presume they have some, they are constantly advertising for more though).

If it is wide enough, I would go with the sticking a plank on it advice so riders can so whatever they want.

If it is wide enough, I would go with the sticking a plank on it advice so riders can so whatever they want.

that is a terrible idea.

a heavy slam with a back wheel... hmm... see, I'd use my foot first, but to each his own. :D

put punji sticks in the bottom and use it to trap pigs.

a heavy slam with a back wheel... hmm... see, I'd use my foot first, but to each his own. :D

I was thinking of ways I could do it whilst "just riding along". Anyways, they'll be trail builders there on sat apparently so I'll go give a hand and ask what the deal is with it.