|   Stem Length | Flinch
Dec 6, 2003 9:41 AM | | I've got a giant ac 2 (2002) and the trail I ride has a couple of steep climbs where i keep lofting the front wheel when i put the power down in or out of the saddle even though i've lowered the fork travel to about 100mm. Will it help if I get a longer stem? the stem i've got at the moment is the stock stem which is 90mm. Would a appreciate anyone's suggestions and ideas. Thanks |
| Yes it would help....BUT | RED5
Dec 6, 2003 10:10 AM | | you'll be messing with the purpose behind which the bike was designed. A longer stem will help your climbing, but will make your DH more twitchy and nervous. I would first try different positions on the bike first, such as leaning over the bars more and keep your pedal cadence nice and smooth, that should help. |
| That might work, but if you go changing the size of your | moab63
Dec 6, 2003 2:18 PM | | cockpit the end result might do more harm tahn good, because a longer cockpit will put strain on your back and shoulder which most likely will give you lower back pain and shoulder. I think you have to train yourself not to, pull up on the bar as you climb is kind of an art form at first. When do steep climbs I lower my head down to so the chin is close to the stem area and hold the bar ends with two fingers only this makes it very hard to pull up, so I just push down hard with the legs, get all the power down to the ground. |
| Elbows Down !!! | XCBob
Dec 6, 2003 2:42 PM | | The best thing I learned to do to keep the front wheel on the ground on a steep climb is to keep my elbows down. When the front tire starts coming off the dirt I lower my elbows just enough to keep the tire scimming across to dirt. This will also lower your chin in the process. Stay seated on the very front of the saddle, pedal smooth circles(don't mash), lower your elbows to keep the front tire on the ground, and look for a smooth line up the hill. Give it a try. I hope that helps. |
| Agreed...keep your chest and shoulders down. | Danny
Dec 26, 2003 7:54 AM | | You need to get your chest down. With your CG low you will be amazed at the steepness of hills you can climb. Also, don't be afraid to use the granny gear. It is harder to keep planted low when you are putting out too much leg torque.
Danny |
| I'd try a 90mm zero degree rise stem first | Jrm
Dec 6, 2003 2:46 PM | | I used one on a AC 1 with a 1" riser bar and it worked good at keeping th4 front wheel planted. |
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