Ultra Technical Trail Tips (Dropper and Flats???)

Got a question about riding chainring grinding technical trails...

Rode Lower Rock Creek Trail last week and the first two sections are fast and swoopy, but the last section can get pretty technical.

Is it better to use flats pedal as oppose to SpeedPlay Frog pedals and (gasp*) a Dropper Seat Post?
(I'm bracing myself for the fallout from this. I'm getting tired of falling over on very slow ledge drops and throwing my body under my composite frame to save it)...

 

LRC requires a multi-position dropper......not too hi, not too low..... Good SPD's will release your feet without even thinking about it.

 

I just bought brand new SpeedPlays which I think has the easiest release of any clip pedal and I still could not get a foot down in time. And your right about a dropper for LRC. It may be time cuz I want to get better at that kinda schtuff... Thanks!

 

Yes, yes you are going to catch a lot of hell for you know what! But I'm glad you're thinking of it.

 

Flats and dropper posts? Shouldn't this be posted in the Gravity Junkie's section?

 

Hah! Uh yeah, maybe.......No! Cuz I'm trying to do techie schtuff not flying schtuff!

Not like I want this stuff, but I do want to get better at crazy tech riding.... Grrrrrrrr.....

 

Clipless and KS Lev hurre. Love it.

 

I'd stick with pedals that you're familiar with and just go with a dropper post. I prefer "gravity dropper" over all others due to the proven track record for reliability under my fat azz.

 

Hey Welcome to the "Other White Meat"!
Thanks for the insight. I tend to agree, as the Speedplays have no resistance to exit. With my previous position on "Droppers", I'm gonna take a lot sh!t over this..... :lol:

Glad your here bud!

Mikie

 

thanks dood! it's good to have another hang out!

next thing, will we be hearing about you wanting a 29er? hmmmm?????

 

Hay! Um... I mean Hey! Now that was just plain silly! Why would I ride with a handicap!?!?!?

 

I've ridden Lower Rock Creek and I know which section of trail you are referring to. I can pretty much clean that whole section of trail clipped in on a 4 inch suspension cross-country bike, with the seat all the way up.

A friend of mine can also ride that whole section on a 5 inch trail bike and he is on platforms and has a dropper post.

I guess what I'm saying is that it just really depends on what you are comfortable with, it doesn't matter wether you are clipped in or on flats, the ability to ride technical sections has alot more to do with body positioning, correct speed, using your brakes, momentum, etc.

I'll say this, however, whenever I try very difficult new lines that seem really, really sketchy to me, I always ride them on platforms first until I get the muscle memory to ride them clipped in.

 

WHO ARE YOU? Will you teach me how to ride?

 

Thanks Oz. I'd really like to go out with someone on a trail of that nature and ride behind someone with that ability. Technical with speed seems a whole lot easier than the slow tech stuff. Although I consider myself a decsent rider (old school), the trails we take on today have stepped it up. It's a new level I would like to achieve, and prolly easier with those who have already achieved it....

Thanks for the input!

Mikie