WebreaderShopNewsletterTop dealers & workshops

How to master carrying and pushing passages with ease

Markus Greber

 · 10.01.2021

How to master carrying and pushing passages with easePhoto: Markus Greber
How to master carrying and pushing passages with ease
No matter how meticulously you plan your tour: Carrying or pushing passages often cannot be avoided. We show you how to do it easily.

EMTB riding technique expert Stefan Schlie shows you how to master these carrying and pushing passages with the E-MTB in an energy-saving way.

Driving technique expert Stefan SchliePhoto: Markus Greber Driving technique expert Stefan Schlie

CARRYING

Even if original bike mountaineers like the Vertriders from Innsbruck lugged similarly heavy bikes up the mountains in their day - e-mountainbikes over the 20-kilo mark are extremely unfavourable devices for carrying long distances uphill. Nevertheless, sooner or later everyone will find themselves having to shoulder their bike - even if it's just over a step or the last few metres to the summit. And there's no need to sugarcoat it: It's damn tedious. Nevertheless, there are a few tricks you can use to make carrying a heavy bike a little easier.

This starts when you lift the bike. It is best to place the bike on a step (1).Photo: Markus Greber This starts when you lift the bike. It is best to place the bike on a step (1). Now turn the crank facing you so that the pedal is at the bottom. Now make yourself as small as possible and grab the bike by the fork and crank. Stretch your head as far as possible under the down tube. Now you only need to lift the bike slightly and stand up at the same time (2).Photo: Markus Greber Now turn the crank facing you so that the pedal is at the bottom. Now make yourself as small as possible and grab the bike by the fork and crank. Stretch your head as far as possible under the down tube. Now you only need to lift the bike slightly and stand up at the same time (2). Now position the bike so that as much weight as possible is on the rucksack. To save energy, take the smallest possible steps. Ideally, the bike should be balanced on your rucksack so that you hardly have to hold it (3).Photo: Markus Greber Now position the bike so that as much weight as possible is on the rucksack. To save energy, take the smallest possible steps. Ideally, the bike should be balanced on your rucksack so that you hardly have to hold it (3). Be careful in narrow passages: if the bike hits an obstacle, you can quickly lose your balance due to the high centre of gravity (4).Photo: Markus Greber Be careful in narrow passages: if the bike hits an obstacle, you can quickly lose your balance due to the high centre of gravity (4). For steep and possibly exposed sections, carry the bike sideways. The saddle tip then clamps on the strap of the rucksack (5) - this is less painful. Important: Fully extend the Vario seat post!Photo: Markus Greber For steep and possibly exposed sections, carry the bike sideways. The saddle tip then clamps on the strap of the rucksack (5) - this is less painful. Important: Fully extend the Vario seat post!

PUSH

With a powerful pushing aid, some rough passages can be mastered effortlessly. The rougher the terrain, the more important it is to choose the right line when pushing. (1)Photo: Markus Greber With a powerful pushing aid, some rough passages can be mastered effortlessly. The rougher the terrain, the more important it is to choose the right line when pushing. (1) Scan the terrain and manoeuvre the front wheel precisely between the rocks (2). There is only a little weight on the saddle.Photo: Markus Greber Scan the terrain and manoeuvre the front wheel precisely between the rocks (2). There is only a little weight on the saddle. It's different if you can't find a barrier-free line: If the front wheel encounters resistance, the rear wheel loses traction and spins. Therefore: Before you reach the obstacle, slow down and apply pressure to the saddle with your forearm or the crook of your arm. This presses the rear wheel onto the ground. The front wheel rises, making it easier to manoeuvre over the step (3).Photo: Markus Greber It's different if you can't find a barrier-free line: If the front wheel encounters resistance, the rear wheel loses traction and spins. Therefore: Before you reach the obstacle, slow down and apply pressure to the saddle with your forearm or the crook of your arm. This presses the rear wheel onto the ground. The front wheel rises, making it easier to manoeuvre over the step (3).
How do you like this article?
To do this, set the saddle to the highest position. Pushing with pressure on the saddle also proves to be the method of choice on steep gravel tracks. In this way, you can tackle the steepest climbs with very little effort. (4)Photo: Markus Greber To do this, set the saddle to the highest position. Pushing with pressure on the saddle also proves to be the method of choice on steep gravel tracks. In this way, you can tackle the steepest climbs with very little effort. (4)

By the way: The shifting speed depends on the motor generation. With the previous Bosch and Shimano systems, the speed can be regulated by shifting gears. So: a lower gear means a slower pushing speed, a higher gear means a faster pushing speed. With the latest generation of motors, the pushing speed is always the same, regardless of the gear selected. However, the speed can be regulated at key points using the rear wheel brake.

TIP: PUSH DOWNHILL

E-MTBs develop a lot of thrust on steep gradients due to their weight. It is best to push with a lot of pressure on the front wheel and finely dosed brakes. On steep, blocked sections, use the push assist to pull the bike onto the rear wheel and control it with the rear brake. Particularly important: Always switch off the assistance while pushing. If the pedal unintentionally comes into contact with the rock, the motor will often pull away unintentionally.

bike/M3883446Photo: Markus Greberbike/M3883444Photo: Markus Greber
Home
EMTB

Most read in category Training