MTB Flashcards
When trying new trails, leave it to the __
Early mornings or evenings when there are less people on the trail
Before starting or entering a trail, have a __
Glance behind you to make sure no one is coming
When slowing down or stopping on trails, __; think about
Pull off as far as you can so you are not a hazard to other riders; where you are stopping so riders have a clear view off you
When riding trails, try to leave a generous
Amount of space between you and the riders in front
To pass, __
Blue and easier trails, _ have the right of way
Black and above __have the right of way
Politely let the rider in front know your intentions and wait for them to pull over
Slower riders
Faster riders
__ causes trail deterioration. Don’t do it.
Skidding
Point out: 1 handlebar, controls, grips 2 head tube 3 stem 4 suspension fork 5 down tube 6 top tube 7 seat tube 8 crank arm 9 chain rings 10 seat post 11 saddle 12 seat stay 13 chain stay 14 rear derailleur 15 cassette 16 brake rotor 17 spoke nipple 18 spoke 19 rim 20 tire 21 pedal 22 front derailleur 23 lower swing arm 24 upper swing arm 25 rear pivot 26 swing link 27 shock
1 handlebar, controls, grips 2 head tube 3 stem 4 suspension fork 5 down tube 6 top tube 7 seat tube 8 crank arm 9 chain rings 10 seat post 11 saddle 12 seat stay 13 chain stay 14 rear derailleur 15 cassette 16 brake rotor 17 spoke nipple 18 spoke 19 rim 20 tire 21 pedal 22 front derailleur 23 lower swing arm 24 upper swing arm 25 rear pivot 26 swing link 27 shock
Point out: 1 steerer 2 crown 3 stanchion 4 arch 5 slider 6 dropout 7 reservoir 8 preload collar 9 coil spring
1 steerer 2 crown 3 stanchion 4 arch 5 slider 6 dropout 7 reservoir 8 preload collar 9 coil spring
Extended leg is bent about _ at full extension
30 degrees
Foot is _ or _
level; pointed slightly down
Front of knee is _ when pedal is at 3 o’clock; otherwise adjust _
above end of crank arm; saddle
Arms with elbows slightly bent are at _ degrees to torso
90
Saddle should be _
level
Most riders should start with their handlebars _ saddle height
at or slightly above
Brake levers should be positioned: (position, angle, reach)
so the index finger rests on the end of the lever; so there is a straight line through forearm, hand, lever when braking hard; so the first knuckle of the index finger is on the end of the lever
Name important regular maintenance:
keep it clean using hot water and soap; use a different brush or rag for chainrings and cassette
check all fasteners and bolts (suspension’s pivot bolts)
lube the chain and wipe off extra
maintain proper tire pressure: 20s (26-28 front, 30 rear) for tubeless, 30-40 for inner tubes
replace worn out parts like tires, brake pads, grips, chains, chainrings, cassettes, and cleats
If a rider’s seat interferes with good form, you should _
lower the seat until proper movement and form is a habit
From head down, recite the attack position
Head, eyes and ears up, out and attentive Shoulders low with blades down and back Elbows out, bent and moving with terrain Hands light and wrists straight Torso level and straight Hips back and powerful Knees bent and moving with terrain Feet heavy and driving into pedals
Keep feet _ with cranks
parallel
Problem: arms are getting tired and eyes are rattling in your head at every bump
too far forward. shift hips back until your palms stop pressing on the bars and your hands are weightless
Problem: when hit water bars or obstacles at speed, downhill, you feel the back end kick up to buck you over
you’re too far back. shift hips forward until fingers stop pulling on the bars and hands are weightless
Problem: shoulders and triceps get tired when climbing
you’re slumping and putting too much weight on your bars. sit up straighter and put more pressure into the pedals
Problem: on steep, seated climbs, your front tire wanders around like a balloon on a windy day
your weight is too far back. crouch low and pull yourself forward until the front tire starts to track
Problem: you struggle for balance, you find yourself swinging your bars back and forth or waving knees all over to make a turn or get over an outcropping
relax and look as far ahead as possible; maybe speed up a little
Stand on your _, use your _ only for loose control, use your _ only for rest and control
pedals, handlebars, saddle
Rolling:
place left hand on ground, right arm tuck under left, right ear tucked to but not touching ground, chin to chest, left leg lifts up, and rolls along side of shoulder and back muscles without head touching
What is the cadence I should aim for?
80-90 rpm
Describe the ankle when pedaling
heel down across the top and driving down, toe down across the bottom and coming up, about 20 degrees rotation
Describe a pedal rotation
forget about up, just focus on opposite downstroke, then focus on dropping heel and engaging pedal across the top and drive downward with heel then focus on other foot while slightly pulling back lower foot
Problem: rear tire skids
you are too far forward; squeeze brakes slowly; heavy feet light hands
Problem: front tire skids
weight might be too far back; shift forward until weightless hands; ease off brakes
Problem: on rough terrain your front wheel gets stuck and pitches you forward
use brakes in smooth sections but do not use them while front wheel rolls over the rough parts
Problem: going downhill, knuckles ache and backs of forearms burn
adjust brake levers closer to grips so don’t have to reach so far
Problem: you can’t stop self from braking in a downhill turn
before reaching turn, slow way down so much you have no fear of speed. take a late apex line. lean bike as much as you can to get turning done quickly, then coast out
Problem: you can’t stop self from braking in a rocky rooty section
slow way down before section so not afraid of speed then DO NOT brake, pump bumps
Problem: you drag the brakes at half power slowing down slowly
before reaching a turn, slow way down so no fear of speed and take late apex line, leaning bike as much as can and coast out of turn
Problem: you are always grabbing brakes for no reason
learn to brake very hard in shortest distance and instead focus on pumping trail
Problem: you are struggling on the climbs
watch form, open upper body, lighten hands, spin smooth fast circles
What is the position for best braking?
Get back. Rotate feet and cranks back. Keep weight perpendicular to crankset.
When it’s time to go slow, _. Get it done. Get back to riding.
brake hard
Brake _ rocks, ledges, turns. Not on them.
before
Practice braking _ _ section
once per
Drive the braking force _, and keep hands _
into your feet, weightless
Only use _ to brake
one finger
What 4 points are essential in every turn?
low attack position lean your bike (steering is for trikes) let your bars do what they want (light hands) look past the turn (low, look, lean, turn hips)
When leaning your bike into a turn:
push your inside grip down by straightening inside arm, drive weight into outside pedal, light hands, lean bike not body, point belly button where you want to go
Problem: when you start a turn, you go kind of straight and then turn hard and crash
enter in low attack position, lean bike and let bars turn
Problem: you feel yourself falling to the inside of a turn
you’re leaning too much for your speed and tightness of turn, lean less or go faster
Problem: you blast straight through the turn
lean bike more, slow down, look where you want to go
Problem: front wheel washes out
don’t lean back so far, weightless hands, shift weight forward
Problem: trouble making flat and off-camber turns
lean bike more and weight the outside pedal
Problem: in berms you find yourself steering up the banks to stay on course
going too slow. Speed up or ride lower in the berm where it isn’t so steep
Problem: you freak out whenever your tires break loose
slow down or practice drifting
Problem: when you lean bike to the left, your seat hits your thigh and won’t lean
stand on right foot and rotate hips toward end of turn giving saddle room to move setting left thigh on seat
Problem: when you try to ride linked turns, your whole body goes up and down in and out of turns slowing you down
you are too high and stiff, get low, lean bike by straightening arms, head and torso staying as still as possible
Problem: you get bogged down on obstacles like rocks and logs
practice obstacles in isolation, keep tracking forward
Problem: you get caught in all the tight corners
follow a straighter line, the less you have to turn the better, get low and lean bike
Problem: you slow way down in rough sections where you can’t pedal
Pump the terrain
Problem: you get tense in certain situations
ride very slowly and strive for smoothness, then increase the speed gradually; think about pumping the terrain
The best line on a turn is
start wide, late apex, straight out as soon as possible
When turning, aim to feel _. This is a good indicator that you are leaning the bike and not leaning with the bike
the seat touch your inside leg
Problem: you feel like you’re getting beaten to death on rough terrain
shift weight to feet, loosen grip, relax upper body, look ahead, unload bike in rough situations
Problem: on rough terrain, you feel like you’re balling up and getting stuck
go faster, unweight bike
Problem: when going gets slick and loose you feel like a sick goose
expect your bike to slip
Problem: on loose ground, your front wheel digs in and pushes the dirt, sometimes catching it and pitching you forward
do not steer in loose dirt, lean; bring weight backward in attack position
Problem: on loose ground, front wheel skims over the surface and refuses to steer
weight is too far back, move forward for neutral hands, or even carefully press down on bars
Problem: having trouble holding a line
stay loose and look where want to go with additional momentum
Problem: going down rough terrain, bike feels like it won’t move around and you get pitched forward or can’t lean into turns
spread knees apart to let bike bounce around, lower seat
Problem: you get beaten up pedaling over rough terrain
get off saddle, put weight on pedals and let bike react,
On flat drop off landings, get your _ wheel down first
rear
On downhill drop off landings, get your _ wheel down first
front