xc beggar

I've just bought some new cycling shoes to go with my new xc bike. I love the extra power the shoes give me on uphills but I'm really struggling with downhill tracks on a technical course. In the past I just put my foot down and whipped the the tail around on tight corners, but with the shoes I'm not confident or comfortable doing that because by the time I get the cleats back in I'm at another corner. I came unstuck on the very first tight downhill corner on the weekend - I leaned to far into the corner the bike just slipped out underneath me and I went down like a bag of ****e because I couldn't click out of the cleats quick enough.

Do I just need to adjust my technique a little? Maybe go into the corners a bit slower and then power out of them.. or would I be better off ditching the cleats altogether as I normally ride on quite a technical course...?

cheers g

ZeCanon

please tell me you were not skidding around the corners before...

xc beggar

sorry didn't give a better explanation, drifting I think you purists call it, putting my weight forward & foot down lettting the back slide or drift around the corner.

kenhill3

Adjust your cleat tension to release easier, if you like.

I've been riding clipless for like 14 years. I put my foot out quite often on tight, narrow, downhill turns. Clipped right back in, usually, it becomes more reflexive and gets easier.

womble

"Drifting" isn't a mountain biking term. If you mean "sliding your rear wheel around corners in a skid" then that's considered very poor form as it damages the trail and makes it worse for everyone else who uses it. The only time skidding is considered okay is during races on trails that have been specially created and groomed for the event.

ryanlovesyou

+1898465089608408740860496 don't skid on trails plz.

xc beggar

as mentioned in my first post (newb) so thanks for the advice... A lot of the smaller detail I'm learning about mountain biking comes direct from Australian Mountain Biking magazine, they recently had an article (tips & techniques) for quote "drifting corners" - the article was demonstrated and explained by Sam Hill - so I guess his wrong and you guys are right - on your advice I will cancel my subscription and just listen to you guys.

thanks for the tip Ken - sounds like I just need to get used to the shoes.

Chris_F

In the US we have a lot of people riding our trails and if everyone rode like that there would soon be no more trails left to ride. There were times in the past (and some places still) where hikers and mountain bikers were at odds about trail erosion with hikers wanting mountain bikes banned from trails. In most places that's lessened a bit but if riders here were to "drift" around trails like that and chew them up then I believe bike bans would become very popular.

Things must be very different in Austrailia if this "drifting" is accepeted technique. I'm guessing this Sam Hill guy doesn't do a lot of riding in the US.

cryptid01

LOL!

A subscription for this thread has been added.

never

Hahaha...are you the same guy who didn't know the meaning behind the rainbow colours on the Kona DH bike yet claimed he did? You might want to Google the name "Sam Hill".

mtnbiker66

What the Sam hill are you guys talking about? I thought he was a XC 24hour racer.

kenhill3

Sam Hill is my mirror image downunder. He rides DH, I ride UH.

Chris_F

Nope, no clue who Sam Hill is. Don't feel like googling it, but from the other posts it looks like he's some sort of famous racer? I wouldn't know who the guy is since I don't follow bike racing (beyond what they occasionally show on OLN/Versus when I'm not out riding.) Well, if that's the case then perhaps the everyday cyclist should be a little more careful following his advice about chewing up the trails. Unless you're racing in some sort of sanctioned event on trails meant for the purpose then, as other posters have said, you shouldn't be skidding the life out of the trails.

Kinda funny. Like the ricers who put racing brake pads on their Honda Civics then complain about the noise and dust...

Chris_F

racing techniques : public trails::racing brake pads : public streets

Specifically

trail erosion from racing techniques on public trails:angry fellow trail users::noise and dust from racing brake pads:angry ricers.

I kinda thought it was obvious.

kenhill3

Are 'ricers' the guys who race the tuned Civics, rice rockets?

kenhill3

I know this is slightly off-topic, but-

What kind of shoes do ricers wear when they're making dust and noise with their racing brake pads?

xc beggar

I can see how drifting a turn would damage the track and I will try to go into the corners a little slower and then power out of them - I imagine its not too good for the longevity of my tyres either. In my previous post I was just pointing out that "drifting" was actually a mountain biking term - thats all..

oh this is where I ride each weekend - you might see Sam Hill there in the next few years actually..

https://www.stromloforestpark.com.au/mtb/index.html

And if hikers want to hike around Mt Stromlo they do so at their own risk. This course is only 30 minutes ride from my place and I'm only just familiarising myself with it, but its cool to have facilities like this so close to home. They have added a few more tracks in the past few months but haven't updated the map as yet - they made a beginners downhill track (which I accidentally discovered a few weeks back - don't think I'm ready for that just yet)

Cyclist30907654

Yeah. Just try to avoid it. It does cause erosion. What we mean is don't do it all the time. Occasionally if you really have to, go head and "drift" if the alternative is a crash. For example, if I'm really going into a corner too fast I'll kick out the rear instead of crashing. I'm selfish like that .

PeterMac

Now that looks like a cool park to ride in, you are lucky to have that so close!

cryptid01

I can see where a paintjob may incite louder squeals than track pads.

Chris_F

Depends on your preferences. Some folks hate the noise, some folks are picky about clean wheels and hate the dust. I dislike how variable they are with temperature (though once they're hot they're awsome). Some folks really, really hate dusty wheels. Some really really hate the squeal. Both of these types, when they buy race pads, find they are not to their liking.

Racing brake pads work on the street, just not as well as brake pads more appropriate for street temperatures. Hawk blacks and Hawk blues will certainly stop your car but in a cold stop (pads not heated to track temps) the Hawk HPS's and HP+ will do a better job (or insert your preferred brake pad manufacturer's product line here). As usual the equipment more suited for the street application is actually better than the "race" equipment when used in normal street conditions.

And none of this is relevant to the conversation at hand.

Chris_F

So you agree with me that racing pads work on the street, just not as well as street pads.

And many DOT R compounds have very little/almost no tread, cheating the DOT tread depth requirements. They work fine in the dry, but in the rain you'd be better off parking the car. Avon, BF Goodrich, and Hooser (and others) make DOT R compound tires that would be downright dangerous on the street in the rain (and rain is a common enough conditions to be considered "normal" during all seasons in most areas of the country).

How about springs? Most springs desinged for the track lower and stiffen a car beyond a practical limit for the road. Users will scrape on speed bumps, driveway aprons, etc. How about harnesses. A good 5 or 6 point will hold you in your seat well, too well to look over your shoulder in traffic or reach the radio (in some cars). Helmets? An SA class auto racing helmet cuts down on side visibility. An M class motorcycle helmet would be a better choice if you decide to wear a helmet on the street, since it won't interfere with your periferal vision as much, but it's not "racing". Nomex suits? Awfully hot in summer. Good old street clothes are better.

Some race equipment will work on the street. But much will not. Racing shoes have a nice comfortable sole for driving and give good pedal feel, just change in to street shoes when you reach your destination.

What is the point of all this?

biknbrian

One of the places I usually ride just had a bunch of very tight switchbacks cut into a new section. You're making a nearly 180 degree turn on a curve that has about a 5 foot diameter, all the while on a steep slant. The heck with it, I'm skidding.

Besides, they let horses on these trails. As long as there are horses allowed, go ahead and skid all you want. Heck, you might as well just take a bobcat through and cut a 10 foot wide path of destruction while spinkling turds behind you. Then some hikers can cut a small new trail around the giant, filthy mess you made. When you see this you are obligated to travel the new route to avoid your own mess, thus ruining it as well.

Seriously though, I'd skid if it really was a faster way to get around, race or no race, horses or no horses.

DasProfezzional

Dood! I rly liek cars 2!

Brian

Pfft! Go ride in Newcastle. You can go through the bush, come out at the beach, ride along and check out the chicks in bikinis. Best of all, you can go into town and stop at Drift, the bike shop. Then get a beer and some chips.