Decending position,

Swordfish125

Hi my first post!

I saw the thread on descending a little further down, but I didnt want to hijack it as my question is a little different.

I have been MTB'ing for some years now and recently purchased a Roadie about 3 weeks ago, a Giant Defy 3.
I was in between sizes (M and M/L). I have shortish legs so on advice from my LBS went for the Medium. Ive fitted a 130mm stem and its pretty nice on the Hoods now (just need to rotate the bars till im happy) and the drops on the flats are fine.

I just have a question on decending. I have no problems with confidence at the moment, only reaching about 38MPH, however I notice I generally adopt my MTB position of my arse over the back whell and the saddle between my thighs. Most road riders I've seen normally stay on the saddle for decents, but when I do this I feel my body is just slding forwards towards the bars (assisted by my fat gut ). Im a bit worried my bike might be a little small, although my reach feels fine (back is feeling a little strecthed after a ride but nothing painful).

Just after some advice really as I dont really know any other Road riders and would appreiciate some input! I understand that on steep stuff, which we got around here, then going over the back is a must.

Cheers!

brin

your'e right about keeping weight over back wheel, altho keep sat in saddle as it would be dangerous to adopt a position where you are trying to control the bike with your thighs.
If you find you are sliding towards the front of your bike it sounds as if you saddle angle is not correct, try adjusting it with the nose a bit higher, just bit by bit tho, otherwise you will slide off the back, trial and error should do the trick, just needs time to get it right.

Swordfish125

Sorry I should clarify, I actually stand on the pedals over the back of the saddle/wheel, teh saddle ends up between my thighs.

mattward1979

Id say you are trying too hard to adopt a hardcore decenders position....

With a road bike, you will go MUCH faster downhill compared to a MTB, and feeling confident and comfortable is more important than squashing yourself into a position that a TDF rider might use (to no significant advantage, seeing as no one else uses it... ).

Grab the drops, get aero, spin out your top gear and avoid the potholes/road furniture!!

Its fun =D

EDIT:

With regards to position, the fastest decents I have been on have always been led by people with pedals horizontal, balancing their weight with bended knees and crouching low over the stem.

A few always press a knee into the top tube to reduce vibration or the fateful death rattle...

I attribute my downhill speed to having absolutely no respect for my own mortality, and being heavy!

nferrar

You won't really be going down anything steep enough on a road bike to warrant getting off the back of the saddle (and rarely should you actually need to do that on an MTB...), same as on an MTB drop your heels and support yourself through your feet/legs not your hands/arms and either stay seated or just above the saddle (depending on road surface).

Mark Alexander

tak a look at this. slow in, fast out. brake with the front brake and go on the drops. as in golf, let the bike do the work. It takes practice.

http://www.slowtwitch.com/Training/Descending_203.html