Moto all the way, baby
My first season racing cross, I didn’t run moto-style and I learned real quick-like why I needed to near the end of the season. On a training ride, I was running a bit hot into the barriers, dismounted, right hand on top tube ready to carry, and left hand feathering the (front) brake to bleed a little speed. Next thing I knew, the rear wheel was kicking up and and around to nail me in the back of the legs. Ouch. (And this wasn’t any light-weight bike, but a Surly Cross Check.)
I pulled new cables that very weekend before the race. Now, I can still bleed speed when dismounting with right hand getting ready to carry and don’t have to worry about it. It takes me about 2 rides each fall to remember the bike is set up this way, and then I’m all good. I’m even thinking of running the road bike this way….
andy
8 Responses to “Moto all the way, baby”
euro style (moto). There are those who posses far more fitness than the rest of us and do not need to worry about the small details. (Like being uber-efficient going into and out of barriers) They can afford to be a split second sloppier through barriers. With fitness far greater than the rest of the field they can ride away afterwards. I’m not one of the lucky ones and rock the moto style on all my bikes. I make it a habit not to touch the brakes going into barriers and obstacles anyways but the first and last hand on my levers is on the rear brake which is the safest bet when I am anaerobic and not thinking straight.
My long-winded 2 cents.
With the right hand on the top tube I find there’s plenty of stability against the back coming up for me. Then again I’m not coming into the barriers like an elite CXer either.
I beat the crap out of this issue here: http://mudandcowbells.blogspot.com/2007/08/cable-routing-debate-to-go-moto-or-no.html
I hear what Molly says above….especially about the no-brakes part when you are coming into barriers. Truthfully, you really to commit to swapping all of your bikes out which is fine so that it is committed to muscle memory. But even so, the ever so slight braking that should be done when coming into barriers to ‘correct’ yourself a bit is just as effective on the left lever/front wheel. If you are required to JAM brakes on into these transitions, there are other technique issues afoot that need addressing. Even on transitions that have an apex leading up to the dismount should not require that much braking. Conditions are indeed a factor but braking strategy…JUST LIKE in dual slalom or motocross…is absolutely critical. Brake FIRST to correct speed THEN flow into whatever bend it is you are coming at. NEVER brake in the bend. This is a rookie mistake in ‘cross…especially on wet grass/slippery mud. You have to correct your speed, slow down, then work on flowing off the bike.
Sorry….that is *my* long winded 3 cents.
I don’t think it’s a matter or right or wrong/left. Whatever works for you works for you. I’ve been riding moto for 10+ years, so there is no way that I am switching now. I tend to drink with my right hand on the road and for hand-ups in cross and I’ve often thought of switching my road bikes to moto as well. When I take a drink with the right and something comes up and I need to brake grabbing that left front on the road bike is a bit trippy. I know I need to re-learn the drink as I took a trip over the bars last year on my Mtn bike from taking a drink with the right and an emergency braking situation with the left hand sent me flying.
No moto. If you can’t roll into the barriers hot non-moto, then spend some time working on your finesse and bike handling.
A little finesse will get you way farther than backwards brakes ever will!
true, finesse and form are supreme when it comes to being fast on a cross course. that said, some of our courses here in minnesota like to put barriers at the bottom of a hill, which in one case means coming in at about 40 km/h. if you can hit the ground running at that speed, lift your bike, and clear a double barrier, then you are god. for the rest of us who are mortal and/or have a class full of students depending on us to be there monday morning, being able to brake safely & reliably after you swing your leg over is one key to doing this crazy sport well.
most barriers, i’m pedalling all the way up trying to maintain speed, but there are a few where i do want to bleed some speed to stay in one piece. too much time in a hospital already–don’t need any more of that.
by the way–some of you are spending way to much time and energy slamming moto or non-moto. get out and ride instead, would ya?
I for one can’t wait for the motocross racing season to kick into full gear. Our bikes have been packed up and garaged for the offseason, but it’s time to get them out there. We have alot of work to do on some of the bikes, and its gonna take some time, but like we do each year, we upgrade several of the systems, and make our supercrosser bikes better than they were the season before. Ride hard – or go home…
Useful blog. Read several other of the blogged articles or blog posts and I must say it is becoming a daily habit of mine to keep coming back seeking new stuff lol. Keep up the excellent work.