Frank can drift round a bend without even touching a traffic cone. He can accelerate at full throttle on the straights - only to hit the brakes shortly afterwards. BIKE reader Frank Tremel (24) has everything under control on disused airfields. The ADAC test rider's bike always does what he wants it to do. However, this is not always the case with his mountain bike. At least when Frank leaves the wide forest track and the ground gets rough. Then his "I've-got-everything-under-control" aura fizzles out and he skids awkwardly over roots and stones. Frank sees steps as a tripping hazard rather than a fun challenge anyway. Then he has to dismount and push. And that doesn't suit him at all.
When Frank Tremel read the BIKE advert on the Internet, he immediately felt it was the right thing to do. "A private seminar with a real expert is just what I need," he beams. In the summer, he wants to ride his Scott Spark across the Alps. From Garmisch to Lake Garda. Frank already has plenty of power in his calves. Now it's just a question of riding technique. He mostly rides on gravel roads. But he knows that the full experience of nature is only possible on narrow trails through the forest. And it would be a shame to miss out on exactly that.
First lift the front wheel, then give manual impulse
It snowed just in time for the seminar. The trails are muddy. Riding technique expert Stefan Herrmann gets to work. His secret weapon for quick learning success is breaking down movement sequences. "To get over a step in the terrain, you first have to lift the front wheel," he explains. This is basically nothing more than a wheelie. Frank tries it out right away on the tarmac. He leans low over the handlebars and pedals hard while dynamically stretching his arms and leaning backwards. This technique can be used to overcome small steps at low speed. However, to conquer obstacles at higher speeds, the biker must use the manual impulse. This involves standing on the pedals and leaning backwards by stretching your legs and arms intensively. After almost 15 attempts, Stefan is satisfied with Frank and points in the direction of the trail. Enough theory. On the trail, a tree trunk blocks the path. Getting over it requires not only skill, but also the right technique. Stefan shows us how. Frank smiles appreciatively, but he looks nervous.
Before his first attempt, he internalises once again what Stefan has drilled into him: Bend his legs and arms. Then stretch and lean backwards and upwards. Now the change of movement: hip swing forwards. Timing is particularly important here. Actually just as important as in Frank's car test drives. Here, too, it is important to give the right impetus at the right moment. Frank starts off quickly, lifts the front wheel onto the step and then pushes his hips towards the stem. Klonk! His chainring gets caught on the stem. Stefan analyses the mishap. The forward momentum must come faster, he shouts to Frank. The next attempts are also unsuccessful. Sometimes Frank fails to shift his centre of gravity, sometimes the attempt fails on the approach.
But then, after perhaps 15 attempts, Frank skilfully heaves his bike over the tree trunk. Stefan is stunned! He hadn't expected such a quick success. Frank is thrilled and wants to do it again. He seems to be in a frenzy. When he gets off his bike in the late afternoon, he feels it. This marvellous feeling of security that he had previously only known from his test rides in cars. The crossing of the Alps can come.
First step: Get the front wheel up
Before you want to climb a step, you should know how to get your front wheel up. Stefan explains two techniques.
Technique 1: The wheelie impulse
This technique allows you to overcome smaller obstacles at low speed. This is how it works: Bend low over the handlebars.
Then stretch your arms dynamically and lean backwards. You support this by pedalling hard. As a result, your centre of gravity shifts backwards and the front wheel lifts off the ground.
Technique 2: The manual impulse
You must use this technique at higher speeds: To do this, you roll towards the obstacle in a standing position with the crank in a horizontal position. Then give the manual impulse. Bend low over the handlebars and dynamically stretch your arms and legs. Your centre of gravity moves backwards and upwards. The manual impulse works without pedal assistance.
Trail test
The great thing about this manoeuvre is that you can learn it almost risk-free. Stefan's tip: practise with flat pedals instead of click pedals. This gives you confidence and freedom of movement.
How to overcome steps with your MTB
How to overcome steps without having to dismount. Stefan shows you what's important.
Approach
Stefan starts off with enough momentum. The crank position is horizontal, the saddle is half lowered. He bends his legs and arms to be able to lift his front wheel straight away. This generates energy that he will need in a moment.
Front high
Now Stefan has to lift his front wheel over the step - for this he gives the manual impulse: stretch his legs and arms dynamically and weight them backwards and upwards. He does this without pedal assistance. One finger is on the rear brake.
Rear high
Timing is everything: especially in this last step. As soon as the front wheel is up, he has to switch gears at lightning speed and initiate the counter-impulse. To do this, he pushes his hips towards the stem and takes the weight off the rear wheel. The head is clearly in front of the stem.
FALSE: Ejection seat
For many, the step is a real stumbling block. Especially if you don't master the first step. Namely, lifting the front wheel at the right time. Then the front wheel gets stuck and the rider flips over the handlebars. That's why Stefan advises: first learn how to lift your front wheel.
Laurin Lehner
Editor
