Easy Going: How to tackle steps with the E-MTB

Stefan Schlie

· 24.07.2021

Easy Going: How to tackle steps with the E-MTB

Photo: Markus Greber

Easy Going: How to master steps with the E-MTB

Riding in steps is part of the standard riding technique repertoire. Here are the best tips from trialist Stefan Schlie for you.

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Whether as an exercise for off-road riding or as a show manoeuvre in the city - riding in steps is part of the standard riding technique repertoire.

Photo: Markus Greber EMTB expert Stefan Schlie shows how it's done.

STAIRWAY HIGH

The most important tip when climbing stairs is to drive at an appropriate speed. If you start too fast, you risk a flat tyre. Apart from that, you'll lose the momentum you've built up anyway if you thunder against the steps with too much throttle. You get the right amount of motor power with every step.

1. particularly important when setting off: pedal management and a gear that is not too heavy. The ideal gear is one that allows you to cover about one bike length with half a pedal stroke. Before the stairs, lift the front wheel by pedalling hard with the wrong foot. At the same time, pull on the handlebars with your arms and shift your centre of gravity backwards. The front wheel now rises and only comes into contact with the ground again a few steps further up.

Photo: Markus Greber 1. particularly important when setting off: pedal management and a gear that is not too heavy. The ideal gear is one that allows you to cover about one bike length with half a pedal stroke. Before the stairs, lift the front wheel by pedalling hard with the wrong foot. At the same time, pull on the handlebars with your arms and shift your centre of gravity backwards. The front wheel now rises and only comes into contact with the ground again a few steps further up.

2 For short stairs like this one, further pedal turns are not necessary. If the stairs are longer and there is not enough momentum, keep pedalling as constantly as possible. Keep your weight at the back so that the front wheel does not get caught on the steps.

Photo: Markus Greber 2 For short stairs like this one, further pedal turns are not necessary. If the stairs are longer and there is not enough momentum, keep pedalling as constantly as possible. Keep your weight at the back so that the front wheel does not get caught on the steps.

3. if, as here, you have enough momentum with one turn of the pedals, then stretch your legs at the end of the stairs to take the weight off the bike and lift the rear wheel over the top step.

Photo: Markus Greber 3. if, as here, you have enough momentum with one turn of the pedals, then stretch your legs at the end of the stairs to take the weight off the bike and lift the rear wheel over the top step.

Photo: Markus Greber Caution: If you go too fast, the rear wheel will hit the step. A flat tyre is inevitable.

Photo: Markus Greber Also bad: getting stuck with the toe of the shoe - incorrect pedal management.

STAIRCASE DOWN

Rolling, surfing, dropping - there are many ways to master stairs. The simplest is rolling.

Photo: Markus Greber 1. the centre of gravity is in the middle: this gives you control of the bike and traction on the front wheel.

2. as soon as the front wheel tips down on the first step, dynamically stretch your arms and legs - this shifts your body weight abruptly backwards and takes the weight off the front wheel. The bike now rolls down the stairs on the rear wheel. When you land, you shift your body forwards again and cushion the impact with your arms and legs.

Photo: Markus Greber 2. as soon as the front wheel tips down on the first step, dynamically stretch your arms and legs - this shifts your body weight abruptly backwards and takes the weight off the front wheel. The bike now rolls down the stairs on the rear wheel. When you land, you shift your body forwards again and cushion the impact with your arms and legs.

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TIP: Direction of vision: The direction of vision is particularly important for all stair and step moves. Do not point directly in front of the front wheel, but a few metres ahead. This stabilises you and gives you confidence.

LEVEL HIGH

1 The higher the step, the more important pedal management is. As with the stairs, select a gear that allows you to cover one wheel length with half a turn of the crank. One wheel length before the step, the wrong foot is in front at the two o'clock position. Arms and legs are bent and you are centred over the bike.

Photo: Markus Greber 1 The higher the step, the more important pedal management is. As with the stairs, select a gear that allows you to cover one wheel length with half a turn of the crank. One wheel length before the step, the wrong foot is in front at the two o'clock position. Arms and legs are bent and you are centred over the bike.

Photo: Markus Greber 2 The movement sequence starts with a bold pedal stroke.

3. stretch your arms at the same time, lifting the front wheel and pulling it over the step. This movement is additionally supported by the suspension rebound.

Photo: Markus Greber 3. stretch your arms at the same time, lifting the front wheel and pulling it over the step. This movement is additionally supported by the suspension rebound.

4 Now the body's centre of gravity must be dynamically moved forwards again so that the rear wheel is relieved and also pulled over the edge.

Photo: Markus Greber 4 Now the body's centre of gravity must be dynamically moved forwards again so that the rear wheel is relieved and also pulled over the edge.

5 Ideally, the rear wheel should touch down a good distance behind the edge of the step. Now return to the starting position and continue pedalling.

Photo: Markus Greber 5 Ideally, the rear wheel should touch down a good distance behind the edge of the step. Now return to the starting position and continue pedalling.

If you have a modern Bosch drive with Extended Boost mode, you have an advantage with this move. The targeted coasting supports the jump to the next level. For other drives, it is advisable to use the highest possible support level.

STAGE DOWN

You also need the drop technique in practice on the trail all the time. It helps you avoid falling over the handlebars. A certain basic speed is important. With an E-MTB, you can build up enough momentum with just half a turn of the pedals. In this case, it's not just about a simple drop, but also about a slight lateral movement.

1. you start off like a cat in a lurking position - crouched over the handlebars, arms and legs bent. I always use Bosch eMTB mode for this move.

Photo: Markus Greber 1. you start off like a cat in a lurking position - crouched over the handlebars, arms and legs bent. I always use Bosch eMTB mode for this move.

2. the lateral movement is initiated here. In other words, shift your body weight to the side you want to drop to. The arm to the drop side is slightly bent, the bike is at a slight angle.

Photo: Markus Greber 2. the lateral movement is initiated here. In other words, shift your body weight to the side you want to drop to. The arm to the drop side is slightly bent, the bike is at a slight angle.

3 Now it is important to perform the actual drop movement consistently. From the front/bottom position, stretch explosively backwards/upwards at an angle. The bike is now in the air.

Photo: Markus Greber 3 Now it is important to perform the actual drop movement consistently. From the front/bottom position, stretch explosively backwards/upwards at an angle. The bike is now in the air.

Photo: Markus Greber 4 During the flight phase, make sure that the bike is well balanced.

5 Ideally, you should land with both wheels at the same time. Depending on the height of the fall, cushion the landing by bending your arms and legs.

Photo: Markus Greber 5 Ideally, you should land with both wheels at the same time. Depending on the height of the fall, cushion the landing by bending your arms and legs.

BALANCING

Photo: Markus Greber You can train your balance on any kerb. The same applies to the direction of vision: look at least two bike lengths forwards.

Balancing is achieved by leaning the bike to the right and left in relation to the body's centre of gravity. This results in a more or less large angle between the body and bike axis - this provides stability.

Photo: Markus Greber Balancing is achieved by leaning the bike to the right and left in relation to the body's centre of gravity. This results in a more or less large angle between the body and bike axis - this provides stability.

Photo: Markus Greber One leg can also be used as a counterweight.

TIP: Platform pedals have advantages when practising these moves. Not just so that you can quickly take a foot off the pedal. But above all because with clipless pedals you are easily tempted to cheat and pull on the pedals. This is counterproductive for your riding technique.

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