Hi all. I just came back from a 3-day trip and want to ask for a reality check on what kind of trails I can tackle on with my bike, safely. I believe I have a capable grsvel bike and I run 50mm tubeless front and 43mm tubed rear tyres.
In single tracks that are rated S1 according to Komoot, there were long stretches where I just didn't have the courage and confidence to ride. I wonder if that's a limitation of not having a MTB with a front suspension or my own skills (most likely). I am attaching two pictures of such segments.
The ones I have the most trouble are are ~20+ degree of descend with loose gravel. If I position myself in the back, keep elbows bent and loose I can go over the loose sections, but I feel I lose my stopping capability. Going slow makes the bike unstable. So I dismount and just walk. The first descend, for example, I could probably just send it if I knew there was a compact, flat segment at the end so I can slow down safely.
How can I improve my skills without injuring myself?
by stat-insig-005
10 Comments
Only way to improve is to practice, ideally without a loaded bike. Some of those images are very technical with some big rocks, so no shame in walking. Remember you have a gravel bike not a mountain bike.
But a mountain bike wheelset
If that first photo is comfortably doable by an average gravel cyclist then there’s truly no need for a mountain bike.
To me that terrain doesn’t look fun to ride on my gravel bike but I’d do it if I had to
The first picture, ascending it on a gravel bike would be a practical miracle. Descending it, more doable, but still a relatively low-speed line-picking, mostly rear-braking, situation. I personally don’t think I’d feel comfortable bombing down that on a 50/43mm tire combo.
Gearing and tire pressure will make a lot to make you feel confident both up and down. Bouncing on everything with hard tires is scary and slipping going up too.
But you are underbiked for this terrain. It’s normal it feel sketchy.
CAN this be done on a gravel bike? I suppose with good skills, going slowly, yes.
Does it make sense? No, if you want to go fast on this terrain, get an XC bike.
That’s a technical trail even experienced MTB riders would have to be careful on.
Just keep riding, that’s the most important thing.
Looks like a really fun trail on a full suspension Xc mountain bike (specialized epic, Santa Cruz blur, etc.)
In the end you have to evaluate if you can do it or not. If you can’t do that, get off the bike, have a look at the trail and check if you see a rideable line. You can start with shorter segments and get a feeling for the descent and feel your way forward. Find a segment in your home-area and ride it repeatedly to get comfortable with it.
Glad I’m not the only one who wouldn’t attempt pic #1 on a gravel bike