Straight ARMS FOR LEVERAGE

KEEPING ARMS STRAIGHT FOR LEVERAGE – BRAKING, CORNERING, UPHILL/HUMPS

This subject comes up very frequently, but I don’t always insert it in the main lesson unless it comes up. Depending on the client and how advanced they are.

 

In my belief, in the MTB Skills Development culture worldwide, there is a concept that is taught by many coaches that YOU MUST GET LOW ON THE BIKE TO ADD WEIGHT TO THE FRONT WHEEL.

 

I personally believe this is incorrect and I will explain why here.

Adding weight/pressure/grip to the front tyre is a matter of physics and physiognomy.

 

In order to transfer the weight of your body – shoulders, chest, head etc, into the front tyre, which is what we are aiming for, that weight needs to be transferred effectively.

 

Try getting into a press up position on the ground or leaning on the edge of a table with straight arms. You will be able to feel all of your weight pressing into your hands. In that position your BONES are working like straight blocks of wood, and it is very easy to transfer your weight.

 

Instead, try bending your arms now and lowering your chest into a mid-press. You will feel much less weight on your hands and in turn your MUSCLES will be working much harder. The weight is now being dispersed sideways into your elbows.

 

Back on the bike, when the rider stands tall with arms “straight”, they have the capacity to transfer their body weight into their hands (and feet), then in turn the handlebars, the fork and then the tyre.
If their arms are bent, the major part of the weight will instead be removed from the handlebars and be placed solely on the feet.

 

If both arms and legs are bent and floppy no weight is transferred into either!

 

It is a good practice for all coaches to really understand this concept.

 

When we keep our limbs straight, we can transfer weight and be strong and RESIST forces.

When we bend our legs and arms (never floppy!!!), we are ABSORBING forces.

 

It is impossible to transfer/push and absorb at the same time, we do ONE OR THE OTHER at a time. Sometimes switching back and forth between very quickly.

 

RESIST UNDER BRAKES – PUSH INTO THE CORNER – PEDAL – PUSH TO PUMP – RESIST TO BRAKE – ABSORB THROUGH A ROCK GARDEN – RESIST TO BRAKE AT THE END.

 

Last note on this very important distinction, possibly the most important part of cornering.

 

LEVERAGE

 

When the rider stands tall and can transfer their weight through their straight arms and legs by pushing into the pedals and/or bars, they are using their height as leverage. The more a rider needs to add weight to the handlebar in a corner, the higher they will need to stand on the bike so that their higher centre of gravity has a greater leverage effect on the weight transfer.

 

Think of a simple lever. The lower down or closer to the base of the lever that you hold, the LESS leverage. The further out you hold, the MORE leverage. The same reason we pull the tip of the brake lever not close-in to the calliper.

 

NOTE IN POINT – THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A BENDY LEVER!