Berms

Stu T
Stu T Posts: 127
edited May 2010 in MTB beginners
How the hell to you ride them, I keep losing my rear wheel!! Any advice???
I wear Lycra because I like the way it feels

Comments

  • The Northern Monkey
    The Northern Monkey Posts: 19,136
    losing your rear wheel?
    Santa Cruz Butcher
  • Stu T
    Stu T Posts: 127
    bigbenj_08 wrote:
    losing your rear wheel?


    yeah it sort of skids out from under me down the banking
    I wear Lycra because I like the way it feels
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    Hmm, down? Maybe you're not going fast enough.
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."
  • Frodo1095
    Frodo1095 Posts: 252
    If you are going slow and sitting quite upright then your rear wheel could slip downwards on the berm.

    Sounds like you need more speed, get your weight on the outside pedal which should be at its lowest postion (this helps push the bike down) and lean into the corner always looking at the exit.
    2015 Ritchey Swiss Cross Disc
    2013 Santa Cruz Highball AL
  • Stu T
    Stu T Posts: 127
    Frodo1095 wrote:
    If you are going slow and sitting quite upright then your rear wheel could slip downwards on the berm.

    Sounds like you need more speed, get your weight on the outside pedal which should be at its lowest postion (this helps push the bike down) and lean into the corner always looking at the exit.

    yeah thinking about it I'm sitting up going in and leaving my pedals neutral Cheers I'll give it a try
    I wear Lycra because I like the way it feels
  • Luke-Dob
    Luke-Dob Posts: 121
    Lean into the berm at the same angle of it
    Aim wide on the berm as it carries more speed through
    Push INTO the berm with your weight on the outside pedal, though you can keep both of them straight and still achieve the same results.
    And make sure your in the 'attack' position with your weight over middle of the bike.

    Also, what tyres you running?
    "If I Was Falling, YOU BETTER FREAKING CATCH ME!!!"
    6 years riding bikes, 8 broken bones, gravity can be a b**ch
    http://dobby.pinkbike.com/album/My-Bikes-D/
  • anto164
    anto164 Posts: 3,500
    Sitting whilst riding berms?

    Nahhh, you need to be stood on the pedals, and pumping through!
  • stumpyjon
    stumpyjon Posts: 3,983
    Yep, stand up central over the bike, weight a bit forward so you can steer (that's what I was doing wrong), and commit, keep off the brakes and keep the speed up. There's one berm at Lee Quarry that I panic on every time and grab the brakes which is the worst thing you can do. It's got a very steep face and you need to carry the speed through it to stick. That said I had a better go at it yesterday, not the smoothest attempt but I did get up and around it rather than sliding to the bottom so I'm happy.
    It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

    I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
    Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result
  • xtreem
    xtreem Posts: 2,965
    What Stu T and Luke-Dob said.
    Although keeping pedals at the same level depends on the berm,
    on some you may clip on the ground if you lean too much.
    NS Bikes Eccentric Alu custom - 2016
  • Stu T
    Stu T Posts: 127
    Thanks guys for the advice
    I wear Lycra because I like the way it feels
  • scottgeniusltd2005
    scottgeniusltd2005 Posts: 575
    same idea as riding indoor tracks, too slow and you slide down.as per others, speed up and pump your legs halfway thru the berm. bonus is it's thrilling.
    Cotic Soul rider.

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