Mountain Biking - Those hills that are a bit too steep...

I can't seem to allow myself to take those descents that are too steep to brake on. When I know that I won't be able to slow myself down, I give up at the start of the hill. Any suggestions to either build my confidence, or increase my braking power threshold? Thanks

Just do it...

NO POWER. Its all about modulation. Simply roll up slowly to the top, pick your line down AND rollout. Roll it without brakes and then brake at the bottom. If you must brake on the hill, modulate, feather...DO NOT lock them.

For confidence, start small...4 ft 60 degree angle for example...then work up to the steep stuff...Practice feathering the brakes and try not to lock them. Then work to a high hill...a little steeper...oh and

just do it...seriously...most things can be rolled out if they can't or you are worried...get a piece of plywood and lean it against the bottom and create a 'wussy tranny' until you get used to it. :)

Hi Y'all, it's been awhile since my last visit......


My best advice would be to get off that seat! Simply hang your butt off the back of your seat while heading down those really steep decents & you'll pretty well be able to go down anything w/o going over the bars....

There's a few trails I occasionally hit that are so steep I slide over 150' before lettin' it go. It's a rush to say the least!

Once you do a hill that you're skeered of, it'll be no problem from then on, trust me....

Enjoy your ride :**

B2T (butt to tire) works well in some situations though I find that RARELY I need more than just wrapping my knees around the seat and pushing my butt back behind the seat. Use your rear brake until you get more confidence... less chance of endoing and it won't completely stop you most likely. I used to be the same way but with practice my techniques improved to the point where I can stop dead on a steep hill with just the front brake with 100% confidence.

Yep. Just throw your @ss over the back tire and feather the rear brake. In the beginning, I would stop and repeat things over and over. Once, I went over my bars 3 times on the same problem, but finally I made it. Eventually, you body will get tired of falling and things will click. Just do it, what's the worse that can happen? Crashes don't hurt that bad...well..usually.

The only downfall to mentioning butt over wheel is that might put him out of position. It needs to be pretty dang steep for your ass to NEED to be over the wheel. You can usually get away with a pretty centred body on most descents (seely described it best with knees and ass position). Which is definately ideal. Idealy keep your body centred on the bottom bracket based on the angle of the steep....but guess what...your body/bike will likely do it naturally.

The only downfall to mentioning butt over wheel is that might put him out of position. It needs to be pretty dang steep for your ass to NEED to be over the wheel. You can usually get away with a pretty centred body on most descents (seely described it best with knees and ass position). Which is definately ideal. Idealy keep your body centred on the bottom bracket based on the angle of the steep....but guess what...your body/bike will likely do it naturally.

You're right, as usual. I guess I don't think about it now until it NEEDs to be over the wheel.

Maybe my ideal of "steep" is actually steep.... I suppose he could be talking about a slope. If I'm on something that I consider "steep", you can bet your hind end that my hind end is practically on the rear tire.... I live in the mountains, and what I call steep is really hard to stand up on. On the otherhand, a gentle slope could "seem" steep to a Flatlander.

Thats my ideal of steep too...I just find talking to other people when I say steep...they think 60 degrees or so...I have had that happen a few times :)...I just personally find body position pretty natural. My body moves based on the bike I ride...

Now braking...that takes training usually...to many people panic and lock...

Well heres my 2 cents. When going down steep stuff. (My idea of steep is right up there with Mael's.) Maybe even a little more extreme. Transfer your weight to the back of the bike. Not totally over the rear (I agree with the knees to the seat thing.) but just try to stay balanced. Everyone says no brakes. I feel uncomfortable riding down steep stuff without some control over my speed. Granted I do go a little faster then I should. I've been DHing a few times and from my experience. It's 75% front brake 25% rear. If you go all rear you'll skid out (I learned the hard way) Don't slam on the front breaks either. Endo's on steep stuff will throw you over the bars. Feather the fronts like said before.

It does take some practice and no one is ever good at it the first time. All the tips mentioned so far are very helpful. Just try to remember them when you are rolling down your next steep section.

If you are riding singletrack pick your lines carefully. The ones with too many roots and loose rocks aren't easy to maintain control over.

Maybe even a little more extreme.

Doubt it...

Doubt it...

Is that a threat?

Nope...I just doubt it...

If it was a threat I would have gotten all internet gangsta on your ass...;)

:eek: Not that. Anything but that. :rolleyes: 60 degrees is pretty steep. I dunno though. You have to agree its tough to really get a good idea when your bombing down those steep sections like we do? :D Am I right or what?

60 degrees isn't steep. I was using it as an example...60 degrees was something I was using to relate to above rider ;)...

yes it is tough. I know some sections when I was riding, felt like 90 degrees...but to go back they might be 70 or 80...definately changes (especially if I mess with the geometry of my bike and change the HA)

I hate that stuff. When if you lean forward to much your rear tire isn't on the ground. Gets your heart racing.

When the rear tire's off the ground, that't when it gets fun. :D

The steepest I've done would be about70-80 degrees at a place called the ***** Bowl, its about 4m down, it's fun because there is a jump at the bottom of it.

The hardest part about going down steep stuff is what goes on in your mind. Just forget about what MIGHT happen and do it, you'll be surprised, it doesn't hurt much at all when you crash. And if your still not feeling confident, just try and find somewhere open that has a steep hill and ride down it, because here there is nothing to run into.

The most common thing that happens to scared riders is they lock up their brakes, don't do this because you lose control, and that's when you may hurt yourself.

locking my brakes isn't a problem. The problem is knowing that at my max breaking, gravity has more control over me than the brake pad's friction. There was this 20m long ramp at hardwood hills probably at 60 degrees, and I just couldn't go over it because my brakes wouldn't do all the work (there was nothing on that ramp that would make me fall, whatsoever). But there are 70' things too which I bail out before starting.
/me considers wearing protective padding, then wonders why I'm doing things which require protective padding in the first place.

Pano: What do you have for brakes?

60 degrees isn't steep. I was using it as an example...60 degrees was something I was using to relate to above rider ;)...

yes it is tough. I know some sections when I was riding, felt like 90 degrees...but to go back they might be 70 or 80...definately changes (especially if I mess with the geometry of my bike and change the HA)

Hey Maelstrom...I like reading your posts, you've always got a good perspective on stuff. I must admit I'm pretty skeptical about a bike making it down a 80 degree slope that is much longer than 5-10 meters or so. Are you 'fo' real' on that? If you have access to a cheap clinometer, maybe you could double-check for us.

I mean, get out a protractor and draw 80 degree slope to flat on a page...that's pretty damn steep!

I'm just sayin'...

You've never rode something that felt like 90 degrees. And 5 meters is only 15'. Which isn't much.

Hey Maelstrom...I like reading your posts, you've always got a good perspective on stuff. I must admit I'm pretty skeptical about a bike making it down a 80 degree slope that is much longer than 5-10 meters or so. Are you 'fo' real' on that? If you have access to a cheap clinometer, maybe you could double-check for us.

I mean, get out a protractor and draw 80 degree slope to flat on a page...that's pretty damn steep!

I'm just sayin'...

No worries. I don't have a climometer, computer...really nothing (I really can't say how fast/slow I go down a mountain)...

I would say some of the specialized decents (rocks dedicated to rolling down) are between 65 and 80ish..I usually stand at the side and try to visualize the slope (making a protractor in my head)...I can't give much more science than that, sorry.

I never really get a chance to look back. Most of the time me and my friends race down the mountain. And looking back could cause you to loose control and crash. :eek:

Hahaha...no I mean I go back and look at it :)...I spend time sessioning stuff and will sometimes walk up a section to rehit it at that moment while to try and figure out a better line :)

Oh, well sometimes if we all think we did crappy on a certain section will take the shuttle up to the top and rehit until were satisfied.

(Does anyone have any helpful tips to cleaning DVD's. I bought the NSX series and the 3rd vid on the first disc skips every 5 seconds. It's pissing me off)

Too slow..I like the instant satisfaction of hitting some stuff (skinnies for example) quickly while my brain is still on that moment

There are little cd's that have brushes that work well on dvd's. Also get a dvd cleaning rag....

It's not dirty at all. I've looked at it millions of times. There are no scratches. It just skips. All the four other NEVER skip.

I have no problems with steep. I used to race quads at this track that had a section that was called animal leap. It was inverted for the first 15 feet then transitioned to 90 degrees for about 30 feet, before transitioning to about 70 degrees for the last 150 feet or so.

So pretty much you climbed a hill, turned a corner, and launched. I've seen people get out of line and kind of roll it; let me tell you that is not a good idea. They even had a kind of catch fence at the bottom. I think after a few years they finally took that section off the track.

If you are ever in doubt just get into an attack position, feather the brakes (if needed) and hold on. You will be amazed at what you can actually ride out. http://www.cripplefight.com/smileys/signmuahaha.gif

FoxRider: deore brakes w/ generic pads

How do you get back up hills that are THAT steep. I for sure can't ride up em.

Pano: Ever considering switching to disc brakes? I think they make all the difference.

B2T (butt to tire) works well in some situations though I find that RARELY I need more than just wrapping my knees around the seat and pushing my butt back behind the seat. Use your rear brake until you get more confidence... less chance of endoing and it won't completely stop you most likely. I used to be the same way but with practice my techniques improved to the point where I can stop dead on a steep hill with just the front brake with 100% confidence.

I'll echo the rear brake thing. If your fear factor is high, your instinct is to grip tightly. So get your left hand OFF the break. Otherwise, you'll clamp down and go over the bars.

Also, don't lock that rear break either. Your rear wheel will lose traction and you'll lose control of the bike.

I have my levers set so that I have to pull hard to get them to lock up. Because I don't want my brakes locking up. I just feather the front and rear. Works great when theres rocky steep terrain.

I think that you should take maelstrom's advice. I've gone down pretty steep hills with my department store bike. It's all good, plus, when you go down, for me adrenaline somehow keeps me cool and I just lightly brake (is that "feathering). I haven't suffered too many crashes, but unless they're really huge, they don't hurt. Your bike hurts. It's good to ask before you try. You never know what the community will tell you.

I can't seem to allow myself to take those descents that are too steep to brake on. When I know that I won't be able to slow myself down, I give up at the start of the hill. Any suggestions to either build my confidence, or increase my braking power threshold? Thanks

I'm with you - sometimes I don't have the dare-devil attitude. However, I firmly believe the challenge is mental as well as physical. If I think and tell myself "I can do it", chances are, I'll make it. I try to envision myself riding the course. If I declare, "I'm not going to make this", I probably won't. This applies to climbs and well as descents. Also, build confidence by starting small. And learn to relax and "be one with the bike".

It also helps to look where you want to go, and not directly in front of your tires. So learn to pick a path earlier and steer towards your goal. For me, I tend to go where I look. So I try not to fixate on obstacles but rather the line I want.

As a kid, I always noticed I was "more careful" than others. Perhaps it's an innate quality with some people.

Pano: Ever considering switching to disc brakes? I think they make all the difference.

I have considered it. But something about buying a new wheel set to buy a new disk brake in conjunction without the dire need of it and how I'm tight for cash turns me off.

FoxRider: deore brakes w/ generic pads


Switch to EBC pads. It'll help with your confidence! (and Performance)

L8R

Start with small gentle hills to get used to going downhill while not braking.
Weight back- behind the seat if needed. (If you are very new at this- get used to the feeling by riding down a driveway with your butt back entirely off the seat. Convince yourself you will not fall backwards and that you can steer the bike from this position) Your grip on the handlebars will allow you to adjust your 'fore-aft' body position as needed.
As your confidence builds, go down slightly larger hills.
Try using a bit of rear brake first, then very light intermittent pressure (feathering on/off) on the front to get used to using both brakes together under control. Scrub speed while avoiding skids. Gradually become more aggressive braking on smaller hills to improve your ability to control your bike.
Graduate to larger hills as you skills improve.

Keep your vision on the track. Always consider what's at the bottom!!!!! (One of my local trails has a number of short steep (60-70+ degree) hills with short hardpack run-outs ending in sharp turns of gravel/sand/roots).

Does anyone on here NOT like to brag? I once did a 136 degree decent..... Well at least while doing the endo that is.

I doubt any of you actually can do 1/2 of what you say on here. I'm in the other sector, and thus have no reason to lie or stretch the truth in my posts.... Sorry.

60 degrees isn't very steep. I never said I actually went any steeper than that.

Does anyone on here NOT like to brag? I once did a 136 degree decent..... Well at least while doing the endo that is.

I doubt any of you actually can do 1/2 of what you say on here. I'm in the other sector, and thus have no reason to lie or stretch the truth in my posts.... Sorry.

You make me laugh :)...the only people I know who do 136 degrees are mountain climbers...come on now, everyone knows that.

I don't think there was any intention of bragging. I believe this is your own inferiority complex reading into things the wrong way. We generally, I believe, try to give an idea of what isn't difficult. The reason being is to help riders along, since we can't ride with them directly. I know I ride with guys and I get smoked as they are way more confident, they will yell "man that was soo easy" and I saw it was...so I follow them and nail it (or crash face first into a rock garden as my first steep rock face proved) either way....chill out..you are way to crotchety to be a mountain biker...

60 degrees isn't very steep. I never said I actually went any steeper than that.

Don't defend yourself. He is a troll...;)

taek all this advice into consideration but also just do it because the feeling of swooping down your first really steep hill is just amazing!