Why has every rider got great bike handling skills?

Northwind

If you're going to have a conversation about steering bikes and talk about countersteering, people are going to assume you mean "steer left to turn right" because that's the most common meaning, if you want it to be understood as "steer into a slide" you've really got to say that.

Anonymous

Both are as common as each other in mtbing though, since there's a lot of drifting.

Northwind

Sure, but what I'm saying is that the more common meaning of countersteering is the initiation of a corner, not the drift. Especially since most people call drifting drifting

Anonymous

I'm not dissagreeing with you as such, I'm just saying that both are common use.

supersonic

How you react in mud with a front wheel slide at slow speed is interesting. You really feel the weight shifts to counter.

nicklouse

I find all the talk of this and that quite confusing.

as i have never really thought about HOW i ride. Also having main riden the bike bikes the last few years you can ride over/out off most things.

riding the fixed does get you thinking a bit differently.

getting out on the XC bikes will I bet be a bit of a quick refresher.

just need to get the trails cleared.

beverick

nicklouse wrote:

....
as i have never really thought about HOW i ride.....

Coming back on topic, I'd say that analysing how you ride is the best way of improving your balance.

Northwind wrote:

It's not really the same, that's just steering into a slide just like you would in a rear wheel drive car. I'm not sure about corner entry, Keith Code says the only way to initiate a corner is countersteering but then, he's a knob.

...and going off topic again:

Mechanically (and according to the laws of physics), it's all basically the same thing, it's just a question of degree and control. You're balancing the forces generated by steering with gravity and, on a push bike, momentum. The only reason you can't readily get the same angles on a push bike than you can on a motor bike is that you don't have sufficient access to a continuous supply of torque - even on a fixie.

...but that didn't stop me drifting a fixie on a grass bank when I was a teenager - until i broke a tooth and ended up with stitches in my chin that is.

Bob

nwmlarge

yeehaamcgee wrote:

Northwind wrote:

It's not really the same, that's just steering into a slide just like you would in a rear wheel drive car.

Erm, and that's called "countersteering" in a car too.

think you'll find its called "a dab of oppo" as per troy queef

cooldad

nwmlarge wrote:

yeehaamcgee wrote:

Northwind wrote:

It's not really the same, that's just steering into a slide just like you would in a rear wheel drive car.

Erm, and that's called "countersteering" in a car too.

think you'll find its called "a dab of oppo" as per troy queef

The Apollo BSO is a b1tch. And I spanked it.

nwmlarge

cooldad wrote:

nwmlarge wrote:

yeehaamcgee wrote:

Northwind wrote:

It's not really the same, that's just steering into a slide just like you would in a rear wheel drive car.

Erm, and that's called "countersteering" in a car too.

think you'll find its called "a dab of oppo" as per troy queef

The Apollo BSO is a b1tch. And I spanked it.

actually laughing out loud!

slimboyjim

My 2 pence:
1. Bike makes a big difference, particularly angle of front fork. DH oriented bikes are more slack angled, and therefore more stable at speed. Setup (tyres, stem length, handlebar width, etc.) also has a big impact as to how your bike feels to ride. Can you try a friends bike for reference? You may find on a different bike you are much faster, and that there's nothing to really worry about!
2. Skills courses help a lot, both mentally to realise you can do something and physically with technique.
3. Sessioning a section of trail over and over is the best was to learn and consolidate techniques.
4. If you are in a rut, change it up a bit. Why not try some new trails and give those trails you struggle with a break?
5. Flats are good for practicing cornering, as you can put a foot down if you lose it.
6. Never be too embarrassed to wear pads - they are worth the investment and will prevent injury more often than not in my experience.
7. Look well down the trail and you will automatically prepare in advance for what's coming. This is actually harder than it sounds - session a section of trail looking as far ahead as you can a few times, and get angry with yourself whenever your vision drags back to the area just in front of you. This makes a big difference.
8. Sometimes you have to use GoGoGo! Technology when you don't want to... Usually you are fine and come out dead impressed with yourself. Pads help when you do not...
Of all the things I did the skills courses I have done have given me the greatest degree of improvement, and in a very short time. I think one would benefit you both to identify and work on any areas that need improvement and give you a mental boost.
Best of luck!

James

Johnny Napalm

Cheers to everyone.

I went out Thurs evening, on the HT, after work, and had a pretty dismal ride...one of those days where everything felt like hard work...even the uphill stuff!

I took the FS out yesterday morning and had a great ride, which felt much quicker and smoother (the luxury of FS, eh!).

I think my biggest failing is not looking forward, James. It's something I try to do with every descent, and when I do it, I ride so much better, but it's also something that is not second nature. I do find my gaze drifting back to a few feet in front of the bike, and that's when I do slow down.

I think that you are all correct, and it just needs to be practice, practice, practice.

Dirtydog11

Anyone seen Dirtschools skills DVD?

Even if your planning on doing a skills course at a later date, and I am, it will show you the correct techniques.

IMO It's well worth a watch or six.

http://www.dirtschool.co.uk/