[Savvy Borador]

Really enjoyed reading this. I, too, am a Newbie, and love learning from threads on this forum.

 

[tehllama]

The skill IMBA teaches is the "Three S's".

Surge
Soft
Shift

You surge your pedaling for a stroke or two to add a little momentum.
Then Soft pedal.
While you're Soft pedaling you Shift.

That's a far more elegant way of explaining what I tried to - it does work.

 

[*OneSpeed*]

Really enjoyed reading this. I, too, am a Newbie, and love learning from threads on this forum.

:thumbsup:

nobody told me when i started riding. i kept snapping chains and couldn't figure out why. i also didn't know that cross chain was bad. or that your chain stretches and if you run it too long you will ruin your entire drivetrain (cassette, chainrings, and chain) and have to replace a bunch of more expensive stuff instead of just periodically replacing your chain. all it takes is a $10-15 chain gauge and check it every so often. when it gets worn, replace and repeat.

be nice to your bike parts, they take a beating most of the time.

 

[Gasp4Air]

Shitting while applying heavy pedal pressure, problem?

Only for the rider behind you

 

[gmcttr]

Govnor, out of curiosity as another Indiana rider, what trails are you riding?

 

[Govnor]

Govnor, out of curiosity as another Indiana rider, what trails are you riding?

Only riding Southwestway right now. It's my local trails. I'm sure I'll move on to the other central Indiana ones when weather allows!

 

[gmcttr]

Brown County State Park awaits with all skill level of trails....it's my local trails.

 

[Govnor]

Brown County State Park awaits with all skill level of trails....it's my local trails.

Yes, I'm really looking forward to trying it! Supposed to be unmatched in this area of the country.

 

[amitpokhrel]

Tip: Always scan your road and look ahead for what you might encounter in the trail. Select your gear early before you hit the climb. This will save you from damaged parts and damaged knee

 

[phlegm]

Tip: Always scan your road and look ahead for what you might encounter in the trail. Select your gear early before you hit the climb. This will save you from damaged parts and damaged knee

If only it were that simple.

If you are new to a given trail, and there's a hidden climb around the corner, you'll inevitably be mis-geared. Just the way it is. You can either try to brute force it if short enough in the big gear, or maybe slack things enough for a split second to get a clean gear change in. Or walk.