new to dh

[proanti1]

okay, im not really new to the mountain bike scene, but i want to get into downhill, so i can go with the owner of the shop i hang out it. what are some good tips? (real ones, like how to jump, brake, and other stuff)

i have a hardtail, and am getting another on monday.

[TheMontashu]

ride that is all i can tell you

[boostindoubles]

well for a tip that involves jumping and braking, if your in the air and you want to bring the front end down, pull your rear brake. The braking friction of the rear wheel brings the front end down... has something to do with physics.

other than that, have fun riding your bike man!

[beamer]

Here is some good information http://go-ride.com/tips.html

[RhinofromWA]

Padding....

LOTS of padding.

Get protective gear because everyone who DH's is bound to fall and fall hard. It is not "IF" it is "WHEN" you will crash. Injuries aren't fun I don't care who you are! :)

[Capt. Jack Sparrow]

Buy armor and a full-face helmet before you buy a downhill bike. There are always downhill bikes that friends are willing to lend out, but it seems like there's not much spare padding to lend out. If you're going to buy all your gear at once, make sure you budget for protective gear. You might have to buy a bike that costs less than you initially thought you could afford.

The first day I ever wore a full-face and body armor, I pushed my skills and belly-flopped five feet off of one boulder onto another. Got up without a scratch. But I was freaked out for sure.

[TreeSaw]

Padding....

LOTS of padding.

Get protective gear because everyone who DH's is bound to fall and fall hard. It is not "IF" it is "WHEN" you will crash. Injuries aren't fun I don't care who you are! :)
:stupid: Get quality pads and ride...practice does make perfect, but even the pros crash!

[zmtber]

brian lopes makes a good book about mountain bike skills you should check it out

[bigdrop05]

You control the bike & YOU tell it what to do..Only riding time will biuld confidence.Try to follow & ride with better riders to learn more.

Small movements make a big difference on a mountainbike..

It's also about making the tires stick most of the time..

Have fun with it....Every ride .

Watch some DVD's on "MUTE" you tend to focus in on exactly what the Pro rider is actually doing rather than "just watching"!!!

Try a VPP suspension system.They are plush & pedal great, like a hardtail.

.02

[TheMontashu]

Try a VPP suspension system.They are plush & pedal great, like a hardtail.
but jump like crap

[proanti1]

Try a VPP suspension system.They are plush & pedal great, like a hardtail.

what the hell is that? like one of those loaded seat posts?

[amydalayna]

brian lopes makes a good book about mountain bike skills you should check it out

it is a really good book. it's called mastering mountain bike skills. the only non-cheesy how-to-mountain bike book i've ever read. check it out at http://www.leelikesbikes.com/

[sk8kid33]

what the hell is that? like one of those loaded seat posts?


vpp is a suspension design that is on santa cruz's and intenses. they are good but brake jack and get pedal feedback do to an s curve axle path. I own one a v10.

as for tips:

1. stay back on you saddle through rock gardens and go fast, do not get going really slow iot makes it dificlut to roll over rocks.

2. Use brakes rolling up to rack gardens and drops then roght before them let go of brakes to mainain suspension and momentom.

3. Stand up a lot. if you legs get tired lock you knees on mellow sections.

4. Use your front brake.

5. Flow with it move around hop of some rock to make it over others, pump in and out of corners.

6. keep it low on jumps if your looking for speed.

7.pedal out of any corners you can to keep speed up.

8.Look for the best lines and use them, not always the smoothest is best, most direct and the one that sets you up best for corners.


I use these tips to help get friends faster, my dad faster (ridden xc and road for 15 years and just started DH), and my self faster.

[proanti1]

i just cant get shifting down, i have to let off the torque to shift (torque + gears = crunchy noises :think: ), then i slow down. maybe i should run fixie, i had a road bike like that.

[BigStonz]

Ride with/behind someone who knows what they are doing.

[DH SB RIDER]

Ride alot you will get better. Seriously

[clandestine]

after you get used to riding more, dont think when you do something,
i remember the first time i hit a large dirt jump, scared the crap outta me.