Shifting less...

[JD]

When I was starting to ride MTBs I read an article about shifting. The Jist of it was that generally, people shifted too much. It suggested riding your normal loop and trying to shift half as much. When I tried it, I realized I was shifting way too much. The shifts I eliminated forced me to anticipate more and accelerate sooner for short climbs or tech spots, and eliminated the need for downshifts in quite a few places I thought I needed to before. It meant I was quicker back on the throttle and slowed down less then if i had relegated myslef to a lower gear at the beginning of the hill or rock garden....Give it a shot on your regular ride.

 

[tjf67]

I took two linkes out of my chain so I can shift a lot quicker. I can't get onto the biggest rings at the same time but it is a rapid shift.
The only time I am on the big ring anyways is when I am riding the road to the trails.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

how many speeds do you guys have,,the last time I was on a mountain bike it was like a 18 speed and shifting was a real pain..

 

[Greg]

When I was starting to ride MTBs I read an article about shifting. The Jist of it was that generally, people shifted too much. It suggested riding your normal loop and trying to shift half as much. When I tried it, I realized I was shifting way too much. The shifts I eliminated forced me to anticipate more and accelerate sooner for short climbs or tech spots, and eliminated the need for downshifts in quite a few places I thought I needed to before. It meant I was quicker back on the throttle and slowed down less then if i had relegated myslef to a lower gear at the beginning of the hill or rock garden....Give it a shot on your regular ride.

This is great stuff! GREAT! :beer: I know I shift too much. I've been trying to smooth everything out this season.

how many speeds do you guys have,,the last time I was on a mountain bike it was like a 18 speed and shifting was a real pain..

Normally, my bike has 27 speed, but with the bash guard, it's really only 18. And you never use all of them since (1) there's a lot of crossover between gear combos that "feel" the same and (2) if on the small ring you go up too high in the rear, you can cross-chain which is not good for the drivetrain and causes some rub.

I generally probably use less than 10 gear combos. Mostly 2-1 (middle ring and largest rear cog). I have my front derailleur set so it doesn't rub much in that combo. I'll shift up through the cassette depending on whether I'm descending, but I don't think I really go much higher than 2-6 or 2-7. I'll drop onto the small ring from time to time on tricky climbs or when I totally run out of gas, but I won't even go higher than 1-3 or 1--4.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

what is a bash guard and why does that take away 9 speeds?

 

[Grassi21]

what is a bash guard and why does that take away 9 speeds?

The bash guard replaces your largest ring. So instead of 3 rings you have 2 thus eliminating some of your gear combos.

All this shifting is nonsense. Everyone should be riding a single speed. ;-)

 

[Greg]

what is a bash guard and why does that take away 9 speeds?

You remove the large chain ring up front and replace it with a bash guard which is a heavy gauge ring with no teeth and is only slightly bigger than the middle ring. Here's mine:

I've since dropped the front derailleur so it just clears the bash guard. It give you more clearance while protecting the middle ring which is where people ride most anyway. The big ring is only going for going really fast which you probably only do on fire road or uber buffed out singletrack. Northeast woods is very rocky, rooty and overall techy so the big ring is kinda useless. You just rarely get going fast enough to need it.

 

[Talisman]

When I was starting to ride MTBs I read an article about shifting. The Jist of it was that generally, people shifted too much.

Interesting concept. I have noticed that rookie MT bikers don't anticipate shifting very well and taking anticipation further would be reduced shifting.

If you really want to cut back on shifting get a single speed.

 

[Greg]

If you really want to cut back on shifting get a single speed.

What gear combo do most people aim to mimic on a SS?

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Thanks for the explanation Greg..it seems like most M-Bikers make mods..do you have pegs in case you need to give someone with a flat a lift?

 

[Greg]

Thanks for the explanation Greg..it seems like most M-Bikers make mods..do you have pegs in case you need to give someone with a flat a lift?

Anyone that gets a flat that doesn't have the gear or know-how to fix it deserves to walk out.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Anyone that gets a flat that doesn't have the gear or know-how to fix it deserves to walk out.

so you always ride with a backpack with tools??? That is one of the things that has kept me from M-Biking as I don't like wearing a backback and am not handy..

 

[Greg]

so you always ride with a backpack with tools??? That is one of the things that has kept me from M-Biking as I don't like wearing a backback and am not handy..

Well, you have to ride with a fair amount of water anyway, or you're not going to be riding too far. Drinking 50-70 oz of water is common for me on a 2-3 hour ride, and that's even if I hydrate well throughout the day. The most efficient way to carry water is a hydration pack which also has plenty of storage for the small amount of tools/replacement parts you should carry with you. Once riding, there are so many other things going on physically/mentally, that you don't even notice you're wearing it. I can't help you with the handiness thing.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Well, you have to ride with a fair amount of water anyway, or you're not going to be riding too far. Drinking 50-70 oz of water is common for me on a 2-3 hour ride, and that's even if I hydrate well throughout the day. The most efficient way to carry water is a hydration pack which also has plenty of storage for the small amount of tools/replacement parts you should carry with you. Once riding, there are so many other things going on physically/mentally, that you don't even notice you're wearing it. I can't help you with the handiness thing.

right on..for some reason I was just thinking a water bottle in the bottle holder on the bike..anyway for now I've talked myself out of going the M-bike route...

 

[Grassi21]

right on..for some reason I was just thinking a water bottle in the bottle holder on the bike..anyway for now I've talked myself out of going the M-bike route...

go on a ride with root or something. it is addictive. plus there are plenty of opportunities for safety meetings.

 

[bvibert]

This sounds like propaganda from a single speeder.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

go on a ride with root or something. it is addictive. plus there are plenty of opportunities for safety meetings.

Gear would run over a grand I'm guessing..do you guys really wear special biking clothes or are cargo shorts and a polo shirt OK??? Sneakers OK?

 

[Grassi21]

Gear would run over a grand I'm guessing..do you guys really wear special biking clothes or are cargo shorts and a polo shirt OK??? Sneakers OK?

Wear whatever, just get on a bike and see if you like it. I wish Greg and Brian snapped a pic of me on my first ride. What a gaper... To this day I don't wear real "MTB" gloves. I wear and old pair of Neuman football receiver gloves. I started out with sneakers. I have upgraded those to some soft rubber skater type shoes. I have a ton of Under Armour type gear from lacrosse and skiing.

 

[Greg]

Gear would run over a grand I'm guessing..do you guys really wear special biking clothes or are cargo shorts and a polo shirt OK??? Sneakers OK?

Padded MTB shorts are almost a must. Not gay ass spandex bike shorts, but the regular looking ones with some padding. I guess you could get away with regular shorts to start out, but wear some tighty whities, not boxers, or your nuts are going to get tweaked. You're ass/taint area is also going to kill the first few rides.

Polo shirt? :blink: Cotton sucks, but I guess you could get away with a plain ole tee shirt. My riding shirts are Champion synthetic exercise shirt you can get at Target for 12 bucks. Sneakers are okay to start with. Don't wear the fancy Reebok kicks you normally wear to church on Sunday though. They're going to get wrecked (muddy, wet and smelly).

 

[Greg]

I wish Greg and Brian snapped a pic of me on my first ride. What a gaper...

It's the best I could come up with...