DH bike spring selection and sag setting

Discussion in 'The Adrenaline Factory' started by bing!, Sep 20, 2013.

  1. herzalot

    herzalot Well-Known Member

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    Stevie Smith knows that to keep your weight forward, sometimes it's best just to unclip and throw a leg back in the middle of your World Championship run.

    Smith one-footer.jpg

    Actually, I was trying to upload a great shot of Steve Peat demonstrating weight forward, but I can't get the uploader to work, so I just posted a cool photo that I've already uploaded.
     
  2. herzalot

    herzalot Well-Known Member

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    It applies on a 5" bike too. Maybe not as much, but that depends on a ton of factors - head angle, sag, steepness of slope, stem length - still, I would guess that most riders hang off the back way too much - perhaps thinking they are safer that way. Keep your chest low, your arms bent and your chin over the stem and see how that feels - on moderate terrain of course.

    GwinDHf.jpg

    No, this is not a 5" bike, but the uploader isn't working for me.
     
  3. kazlx

    kazlx New Member

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    Most people get in trouble getting too far back. You need the weight on the front wheel for traction. Watch all the pros. They are pretty much always over the front. Obviously, there are times you need to shift your weight. The more weight you take off your front wheel the less traction and steering input you have.
     
  4. bing!

    bing! Active Member

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    Awesome pics.
     
  5. herzalot

    herzalot Well-Known Member

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    Still can't upload the photos. Oh well. I threw in a couple I already had uploaded.
     
  6. bing!

    bing! Active Member

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    I just slapped on a 300 pound spring. I like the 300#. Did not bottom the rear even once at SS.

    I've gone through 500-450-400 and now 300. I have a 350 still in packaging.

    Much less harsh on brake bumps. Corners more predictable.

    Currently at 39% sag.
     

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