Originally Posted by
motorthings
if you want to forget the actual physical reality, feel free (though it won't change the reality).
i never said it does not have an effect, simply that it does not have the effect often attributed to it. everything you mention is a secondary effect of creating a line of stress through the body to the outside pedal. if you can use your body as a part of the suspension system while at the same time anchoring your body to the bike in a very stable manner, you are in the best position to do all the things you describe. if you also change your upper body position, you can then further change your center of gravity, which can also have a great effect on how the bike handles.
in my experience, when people understand exactly what forces are at play in cornering situations, the better they are able to work in harmony with those forces, be more comfortable and confident, and therefore faster and smoother. is there any disagreement with that?
I don't disagree, and please don't take this as picking on you because it's not how I intend it but this could illustrate why it's difficult to actually learn technique in a thread like this. It's hard to describe with objective precision the forces that we feel and react to. "Anchoring your body" is an expression of how it feels on the pedals, not a physical reality. We can be "anchored" on our hands, saddle, both pedals. From the context I think you mean to describe the balance and suspension, right?
Again, I'm not trying to be argumentative here. I think cyclezen is saying the same thing you are.