My bike is a specialized rockhopper and when i ride uphill the front wheel always keeps lifting up. Its like i can't shift enought weight forward. What can i do to stop this? Or is this bike just a bad climbing bike?
2007-12-20 00:17:57 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Cycling
You must be a rubbish cyclist dude it's nothing to do with the bike. You should be over leaning over the handlebars and holding some of you weight on your arms so your legs can power up the hill more effectively.
2007-12-20 00:27:12 · answer #1 · answered by Gaz 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
It could be a number of things. I'd say to start by making adjustments to your saddle position & angle. Move the saddle slightly forward on it's rails (it doesn't have to be a lot, even 5mm can make a big difference here). Once you've done that (and made sure your knee is still over the pedal axle) tilt the nose of your saddle down a little bit. Again, it doesn't have to be a big adjustment, just enough to drop the nose of the saddle from the horizontal position. This will allow you to get more weight towards the front of the bike.
Next, we need to look at YOUR position on the bike. When heading up a steep hill you'll need to be in a flatter position (back as close to matching the angle of your top-tube as possible), it's important to keep your grip light on the bars, even though the first thing you want to do when the trail turns up is grab the end of the bars and pull on them - this will raise the front and make you wobble all over the place. Keep your butt towards the nose of your saddle and spin a gear that's low enough to let you pedal freely but high enough to keep your traction & stop the front from flicking up when you put power down.
Ultimately, it's a practice thing. Work on your position and technique and you'll get there. Have fun!
2007-12-23 09:39:08 · answer #2 · answered by Hamish A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very good answer from Jay P. If your bike isn't set up correctly for you it could cause this. But have you ever been able to do these hills with another bike? Do many other riders have the same problem on these hills? That is are these really steep?
If you just started riding MTB with steep hills your technique certainly may be the issue too. Most likely you and the bike are the problem. Steep loose hills are an art to accend. Perfect balance, weight distribution, position, power and smoothness are all essential as well as the bike's set up.
Try this if you haven't already. To move your weight forward, you lower your upper body over the bars. You need to be able to grip forward. I ALWAYS climb on my bar ends. You don't have bar ends you say? BINGO that's your problem! It allows me to stretch forward. MTB climbing is quite different from climbing on the road. You must stay low, forward and still on the bike. Roadies wag their tails and stand up freely as traction isn't an issue. Give it a shot - I never met a hill I couldn't climb using these suggestions.
2007-12-20 04:53:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
OK enough with the BS answers here. People are right in one respect - it might be your technique. However it also could be something about the bike. Keeping that front wheel planted relies on a balance of weight. Too much weight to the rear of the bike causes the front lift up. Too much weight to the front could cause loss of traction. both are not so good and a good rider know how to shift weight when appropriate. Perhaps there is something preventing you from properly putting weight forward. Is the frame to big? Is the stem very short? Maybe try lowering the bars a bit. Think about this next time you ride. I bet it's all about your bike fit.
2007-12-20 04:29:05 · answer #4 · answered by Jay P 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Ride a balanced bike and things will go smoother for you.
On slight inclines point your elbows towards your hips and "unweight" your hands by lifting with you lower back muscles until you feel the weight go out of your hands. Now your bike is balanced front to back and will naturally be able to climb over anything.
On steeper inclines, stick the horn of the saddle in your butt. That's how far forward you should be.
Happy trails!
2007-12-20 05:17:39 · answer #5 · answered by b4_999 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
appears like a branch keep bike. it is not proper you already offered it. it is the way you employ the gears. established using use 2 left a million-7 on the excellent. in case you start to climb a hill and a pair of left and a million top is to stressful pass to a million left and a million-4 top. whilst you're going too rapid for 2 left and seven top pass to 3 left and 5-7 top. using gears that positioned the chain at an extreme attitude is stressful on the chain and sprockets.
2016-11-04 03:03:25 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing wrong with the bike, unless maybe you got too large a frame. You just need to work on your skills.
2007-12-20 00:23:15 · answer #7 · answered by silverbullet 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Maybe too steep of a hill, or you've got way too much weight in the rear.
never had that problem except on near verticle hills.
2007-12-20 01:16:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Steep uphills you must pedal smoothly. try using a higher gear although harder to pedal it will help you
2007-12-20 00:27:22 · answer #9 · answered by ajpshares 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
bike sound ok you just need to learn how to ride
2007-12-20 00:26:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋