When the trail gets rough your bike will start to buck and move around. The idea of good body position is to isolate your core mass (your head and torso) from this chatter so you can stay smooth, in control and in balance.
If you try to stop the bike pitching over the terrain you’ve effectively picked a fight with gravity, and it will eventually win. Use these tips to put yourself in a position where you can let the bike move beneath you and you can stay in balance and relaxed.
1. Your basic ready position
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- Loosen up: If you’re in balance, you can loosen up and allow the bike to move around underneath you and track the terrain. Use your arms and legs like suspension by absorbing undulations on the trail.
- Stand up: It goes without saying that if you sit down on rough terrain you’re going to feel like you’re riding a bucking bronco! Stand up, lower your chest, and keep a slight bend in your knees for extra control.
- Weight distribution: Drop your heels and support your core mass with your legs and not your hands. This will get your weight low at the bottom bracket, which is stable, and free your arms up for control and steering. Think heavy feet, light hands.
- Heels down: With your cranks perfectly level, place the ball of your foot on the pedal axle or just in front of it, in a midfoot position and drop your heels towards the ground.
- Head up: Your head position affects your balance so get your chin up and focus on the trail ahead. Try not to look down at the front wheel as it will unbalance you straight away.
- Elbows up: Bend your elbows and hold them up so you can use your arms to control and lean the bike.
- Engage your core: Try not to round your lower back like you’re slouched in a chair as it isn’t good for power and efficiency when it comes to more advanced skills. Stick your backside out and engage your core muscles.
- Cover your brakes: Always keep your anchors covered with one finger just in case you need to scrub speed or stop quickly.
2. Your climbing position
Having a good body position in combination with managing your power output can make long climbs more manageable and short snappy climbs possible. The aim is to balance your weight between the front and rear wheels, so you have traction at the rear and maintain a bit of weight on the front wheel to stop it lifting or wandering.
- Get low: Lower your chest towards the bars, move your hips forward on the saddle, tuck your elbows in and look up. If your hands feel light and you’re not hanging off the bars then you’re probably in the right place. Getting your chest low will keep some weight on your front wheel so you can maintain your steering.
- Sit… or stand: In most cases it’s more efficient to sit, but you may want to stand for a break or if you need to put more power down. On rough terrain hover just above your normal seated position so you can absorb bumps and the bike can move around underneath you.
- Manage power output: It’s important not to burn yourself out quickly, so relax and try to maintain a good average power for the whole climb, rather than sprinting then freewheeling. You’ll need to carry as much momentum as possible into short steep climbs, so make sure you put the power down early.
- Gear selection: On long climbs, aim to spin your legs for better efficiency. If you need extra traction on loose terrain, overgear by using a higher gear so you don’t spin out. Stamping hard on the pedals in a high gear will tire you out quickly.
3. When riding downhill
- Look ahead: Look as far ahead as you can down the trail to spot obstacles in good time. Lifting your head will help you do this.
- Bend your elbows: Bent elbows make you ready to absorb hits and manipulate the bike. Don’t overbend though, or you’ll run out of ‘arm travel’.
- Keep heels down: Dropping your heels gives you more control – your bike is pushed into your feet, putting more weight on your pedals.
- Cover your brakes: Powerful brakes help you stop with ease. One finger on the levers is enough and won’t compromise your grip on the bars.
- Stay loose: The looser you feel on the bike, the more relaxed you become. This helps you absorb hits with your elbows and knees, which lets the bike track the terrain.
5. Your braking position
- Stay smooth: Braking affects your body position and suspension, so try to brake before technical or rough sections of trail if you want to ride smoother.
- Look for traction: Spot grippy surfaces to brake on. Try to avoid braking on loose and slippery terrain as it will unbalance you.
- Brake straight: Scrub your speed before corners, when you can brake in a relatively straight line. Try not to brake around corners as it will prevent you from leaning the bike.
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/article/how-to-get-a-perfect-body-position-for-the-trail-44789/
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