Downhill basics. What is downhill and what are its features? Design features of downhill bikes

Every cyclist who lives in a city in the hills knows the area well and has already explored all the routes in search of the path with the least climb. But there are people who get bored when driving on smooth, flat and well-maintained roads. These active people love downhill cycling and sometimes go off the straight path in search of the steepest and longest hill descent. And a difficult climb up a hill will be a serious test for them and a way to avoid problems Everyday life.

When it's a tough day and everything seems depressing, cycling downhill fans don't give up. When it's raining outside and a cold, gusty wind is blowing so strong that even the prospect of leaving the house seems unreasonable, they go all in and have a blast on the hill. The steepest hill becomes best place for the desired workout. And the resulting adrenaline and sense of accomplishment never hurt.

Of course, it is dangerous to go down the slope at a speed of about 60 or even 70 km per hour, but in racing on well-maintained mountain roads, even this is not the limit. If they want to set a record in downhill, athletes sometimes accelerate to speeds of 80 km per hour. What will happen at this speed when falling? Experienced riders can avoid injury with experience and a protective helmet. And on a bicycle, when it hits a sharp stone and then the rider falls, it most often breaks.

Celebrate your victories!

It is clear that the best reward after a long climb is a rapid descent down the mountainside. But you will remember your victory for a very long time and dream of the next race if you stop for a second and enjoy every moment. A short stop at the top is worth a lot, allowing you to calm your breathing in a minute, stretch your shoulders, feel the flow of blood and smile naively, but from the heart. When you fly down, you will remember this moment with peace.

Getting to Know Your Downhill Bike

A downhill bike (also known as a dual suspension mountain bike) has shock absorption on the front wheel and necessarily on the rear wheel. It is designed for descending particularly steep, rocky trails. Unlike usual mountain bike, the frame of a downhill bike is thick-walled and has large stock strength.

Downhill bikes are very similar due to the wide and durable frame. The frames of these bikes are designed to absorb shock from rocky roads, logs, and jumps. The riding style on these bikes is also very similar.

Compared to lighter, more versatile XC bikes, downhill bikes are heavier and more specialized. A downhill bike is primarily designed for downhill racing. A mountain racer generally does not need to push it up themselves. Sometimes you can use your car or a minibus to transport your bike up the mountain. There are ski lifts on the equipped slopes.

Downhill is typically over 34 lbs (14 kg), but some modern downhill bikes have broken the 30 lb barrier, such as the engineering marvel Specialized Demo 8 S-Works weighs just over 23 lbs or 10 kg. Some of the newest, May 2014, mountain bikes can also be made from carbon to reduce weight by up to 30 pounds, such as the Trek Session 9.9 or Kona Supreme Operator.

Specialized Demo 8 S-Works downhill bike with lightest carbon frame

Design features of downhill bikes

Downhill bikes are usually made of aluminum, but there are also models made of carbon. They are designed so that their rear suspension travel is within an unrealistically wide range - 7–10 inches (178–254 mm). Front fork compression is also significant at 7–8 inches (178–203 mm). Suspension sag under the rider's weight is much greater than on cross-country bikes (25–50% on a downhill bike versus 10–20% on a full-suspension touring bike). Such a soft suspension is needed to travel over logs and rocks at the highest possible speed.

Basic measurements on a downhill bike frame

Downhill bikes are also distinguished by a very low head tube angle (head tube angle of 66 degrees or less), a long wheelbase (wheel base is more than 45 inches or 1143 mm) and the ability to use very wide tires– up to 3 inches (76.2 mm) with large lugs. Very wide and thick-walled tires are important in order not to lose grip on the road where it is difficult to even stand on your feet.

Chain guide on a downhill bike

Other cool options include 8-inch (203mm) disc brakes and a chain guide to prevent chain flyaways during downhill descents. Another innovation is the use of a OnePointFive stem (one mounting point with five grips), which fits onto a thick 1.5-inch (38mm) diameter head tube rather than the more traditional 1.125-inch (29mm) tube.

Thus, an additional margin of safety and inflexibility of the steering wheel is achieved. The tilt-adjustable handlebar stem allows you to adapt the bike to the preferred riding style of its owner.

Adjustable handlebar angle with five grips

Most downhill bikes have dual-crown front forks, which provide very long travel (typically up to 8 inches or 203 mm). These forks have increased strength that a single crown front strut cannot. The disadvantage of the double crown design is that it has increased weight and a limited turning radius.

How to master downhill?

It's going to be a long struggle to learn how to shift your weight, pedal, and breathe properly on your epic but manageable uphill climb. The subsequent descent is just as difficult, although completely different from the ascent. In general, downhill skills will have to be learned.

In the first rides on a steep descent, every novice cyclist engages the brakes and slowly, jerkily slides down, while their hands sweat and quickly go numb. The ability to move quickly is an important skill that can only be acquired through long practice. Gradually, you will go through turns faster, modulating your speed, and learn to put the pedals in advance in a position in which your lowered leg will always be with outside turn. It won’t hurt to learn to relax your shoulders and arms before every impact on the road, so as not to damage your spine.

Downhill shifts

Eat good advice, which will help everyone get along with the gearshift on their bike. You need to know that even when going down a hill, you need to downshift slowly but surely, while still pedaling non-stop. On the contrary, you need to switch to a higher speed gear as quickly as possible so as not to pedal in vain and lose precious speed.

Select the optimal gear too slowly, and you will need to change through many sprockets at some point in suddenly changing road conditions. Since the skill of shifting remains in muscle memory, you will be able to fall into a rhythm with the speed of the rear wheel over time. The only way to learn this is to conquer as many hills as possible.

Full control over the brakes

There is a myth that braking on a downhill turn will inevitably lead to a fall. In fact, slightly slowing down rear wheel, you can make a sharp turn on a steep downhill much faster than without using the brakes. This is equivalent to skidding in a car, only more sensitive and controlled. But don't take our word for it, go out and experience it for yourself.

Not using the brakes on a straight line when going downhill is also dangerous because it increases the risk of losing control of the situation. When you urgently need to reduce speed, you will suddenly throw your fingers on the brake levers, and if pressed uncontrollably, they will very quickly jam. In this case, a fall on a steep descent is quite likely. Therefore, always keep control of the brake levers with two fingers.

Don't stop halfway! You need to continue to master cycling downhill: press the pedals, breathe deeply, keep your eyes on the finish line. And go ahead! You can do the same tricks as in this video.

Any sport requires preparation and regular training. But what about riders who engage in seasonal sports? For example, downhill. In the off-season, it is important to stay in shape in order to be competitive and not lose ground. The strongest MTB downhill riders in Russia told us how they keep themselves in shape when the weather outside is not suitable for riding.

Nikolay Pukhir

4-time Russian downhill champion

In downhill racing, an athlete must have a proportional and functional physique, because all muscle groups work here. Build the right one training plan you can only understand your weak sides, and develop the program based on the physique and skating technique.

The gym is an auxiliary part of training. It is used to tone special muscle groups that are difficult to work on a bicycle. In general, training should be based on preparing the heart, lungs and circulatory system, coordination, endurance (there are many variations here - from pedaling to the pool).

I don't do well with the gym. Working with hardware is very different from working on a bike.

I don’t do well in the gym, because working with hardware is very different from what you do on a bike. Sometimes power training may even interfere if the weight of overly pumped muscles is transferred to weaker muscle groups during descent. CrossFit training can also be useful; I got good results from it.

I hardly ride in Moscow; here it’s impossible to make my body and bike work like they do. mountain track. In the mountains you need endurance to “dampen” impacts and constantly work with own weight as a bike control tool. Some of this training can be obtained on a trampoline or while riding alpine skiing. I ride a cross-country bike and go to the mountains on skis. This training is better than many types of traditional gym work.

There will definitely be some serious housekeeping in downhill. Recovering from injury is another aspect that every downhill racer knows well. You need to train falls, somersaults, coordination and agility. You also have to pump up your muscles in order to protect yourself from injury, because they perform a protective function.

There will definitely be some serious housekeeping in downhill. You need to train falls, somersaults, coordination and agility.

Over ten years in downhill racing, I have accumulated a list of recovery programs that need to be followed so that old injuries do not bother me. These are yoga classes, stretching, special gymnastics. I probably have over a hundred of these exercises, without which I cannot fully race.

Ultimately, the result on the track will be determined not by off-season training, but by the intensity and level of risk. If you are ready to take risks and love high speeds, you will overtake those who have been jogging all winter.

Sasha Zhirnova

2-time Russian champion in downhill, participant of Cups and World Championships

There's nothing super special about off-season training. At least for me personally. Essentially, this preparation brings together everything that there is not enough time for during the season.

In downhill, not only the muscles work, but also the head. Therefore, I advise you to devote time to yoga or meditation. It is not necessary to know complex asanas, but even 30 minutes of basic exercises will help put your head in order.

In downhill, not only the muscles work, but also the head. I advise you to devote time to yoga or meditation

When it comes to muscles, it's hard to say which ones are more important. Some help you travel, others help you survive and save you from injury. Even the oblique abdominal muscles, which seem to be unimportant when riding, can save you from serious bruises to your internal organs.

Cool equipment is good, but not necessary for preparation. If we are talking about a gym, basic exercise equipment will suffice. A regular workout can be made more fun if you dilute it with exercises with gymnastic ball, hemisphere and TRX.

In the off-season, try to take advantage of every opportunity. Is there a ski track near the house? Great! Have friends who go to the trampoline? Join us, this will teach you how to group yourself when you fall. The climbing wall is wonderful. Swimming, boxing, skiing... My off-season consists of gym, machine (specialized exercise bike for downhill - ed) at home, swimming pool, outdoor training, on a trampoline and any other activities.

Downhill racers do not and cannot have special diet for the off-season. We are different, but everyone should have discipline in food, especially athletes. You need to choose your diet wisely. You can spend 3000 kcal a day, but this does not mean that you eat everything - good idea. Best helper in the choice of products - this is the body. It will always tell you whether it is good or bad.

Unfortunately, in Russia there is no opportunity to ride out of season, so every year I try to fly to warmer climes. At least for two weeks

Unfortunately, in Russia there is no opportunity to ski out of season. For me, cycling in the snow is a punishment, so every year I try to fly to warmer climes. At least for two weeks. For several years in a row I have been traveling with friends to Malaga, Spain. You can have a good time there before the season: cool tails, good atmosphere, warmth... And you can also meet cool guys from factory teams and even world champions. My dream is to go to New Zealand. This is a paradise for those who want to ride a bike all year round.

Downhill is an extreme discipline in cycling. Its essence is to complete the course against time. The route is a descent from the mountain with many obstacles, sharp turns and jumps.

Despite the fact that the essence of downhill is quite simple, downhill cycling is quite a dangerous activity, so even reaching the end of the route is considered a good result. In this sport, it is important to have excellent bike handling skills and good physical fitness.

Downhill trails

A typical downhill course is a long descent, filled with uneven terrain such as potholes and bumps, rocks, tree roots, sharp turns, jumps, man-made obstacles, and just about anything else you can imagine. The height difference is usually 500 meters per 1.5-2 km.

Sometimes downhill competitions are held within the city, but the essence remains the same - downhill. The road is a highway for cars, sidewalks, steps and other urban terrain, complemented by jumps. average speed athletes is 36 km/h, the maximum can reach 60.

Downhill equipment

A full-face helmet is mandatory. Somewhat reminiscent of a helmet for motorcycle racers. In addition to a helmet, some athletes use goggles that look like snowboard goggles. Sometimes there is also neck protection.

Other necessary pieces of equipment are shin guards that protect the knees, shins, elbows, hands, back, hips and so on. A fall in downhill is very likely to result in injury, so carefully protecting your body is a very smart decision. Gloves must have hard inserts.

Downhill bike

And of course you can’t do without a special bicycle. It must be a double suspension with a special frame geometry, which is aimed at increasing stability at high speeds. Rear suspension travel 180-250 mm. Forks, as a rule, are double-crown with a stroke of 200 mm, single-crown 180-190 mm.

Be sure to have powerful brakes with 180-220 mm rotors. The wheel diameter is usually 26″ inches, but there are also models with 24″. The rims are reinforced, wide, and can accommodate tires up to 3″ inches wide with a very tough tread. Such wheels withstand all impacts well and hold the road. The chambers are thick and reinforced, this is necessary to protect against punctures and cuts.

As for the steering, the width of the steering wheel is 760-820 mm, the stem length is 40 mm. A short stem is needed to better control the bike. The frame material varies: steel, aluminum, carbon. The weight of bicycles is 15-25 kg. In this sport this is not a critical parameter at all.

How to do downhill?

Downhill competitions are held all over the world. In order to take part you must have excellent preparation and suitable bike. The cost of such a bike (new model) will be from $1,500. Find downhill enthusiasts in your city and they will help you join this crowd!

First person video of downhill in the mountains:

Downhill in urban conditions:

So, the necessary knowledge, without which these disciplines would not exist.

Braking. Your bike probably has two brakes (yes, I'm sure of it). Some beginners believe that the front brake is not needed at all. Like, the front brake is generally “from the evil one.” And if you use it, you can hurt yourself even more than without it at all. WRONG OPINION. The most effective braking is WITH THE FRONT BRAKE. But this does not mean at all that you have to cling to the front brake with a death grip. For any braking, efficiency increases when using both brakes at once (simultaneously), but without locking the wheels, to the point of locking. Give preference to the front brake, but do not lock the wheel, otherwise you will fly off the handlebars.

Overcoming climbs. In fact, there are different types of climbs. Short and long, steep and gentle (for endurance). You probably know how to overcome long and gentle climbs - we push the gear into an easier gear before the climb and screw it in. But short and steep climbs are a problem for some. Listen: we switch to a gear that is not too light, but more torquey. And screw it in as quickly as possible before lifting. We fly up the hill at speed and already in the middle we begin to pedal again. If you practice, you can fly up such climbs without losing speed at all.

Descents. Descents are easy. Just don't be afraid of them. Any descent is associated with the risk of falling, so it is necessary to minimize the risk by mentally calming down. Have you calmed down a little? Then let's go down. Get out of the saddle and move your butt (yes, that's what I'm talking about) behind the saddle so that it is above the rear wheel. Remember, I wrote about braking, here, all braking on a descent is only with the FRONT brake, but in no case DO NOT BLOCK it. If the front one is not enough, use the back one, but also DO NOT BLOCK, otherwise you will skid and turn sideways towards the slope, and then fall somersaults. One more thing. Hold the steering wheel FIRM, because you will hardly encounter perfectly smooth slopes without roots or holes.

Stairs and steps. Many beginners think their bike will fall apart if they ride it down the steps. No, it won’t fall apart, the wheels can be punctured if they are poorly inflated. There is nothing easier to go down the steps. Roll up slowly while standing on the pedals. Apply the front and rear brakes and slowly roll down step by step. It is best to move behind the saddle. Hold the steering wheel firmly and RELAX your legs AT THE KNEES and your hands AT THE ELBOWS. That's it, practice on small flights, and then climb larger ones.

Narrow curbs, trees and other “ducklings”. To drive on narrow things, you need to constantly train and it will go away on its own. But a couple of tips won't hurt you. Keep your body weight in the middle of the bike, bend your knees slightly, straighten out any blockages to the sides with your knees or “throwing” your leg to the side. It really helps to sometimes slow down and sometimes pedal sharply to find balance. Remember that it’s easier to balance while moving, don’t stop completely. When riding, look ahead rather than at your front wheel. Relax, it really helps if your body is constrained by tension, you simply don’t feel where you are heading and cannot fight it.

Here are the basic elements that everyone should know and be able to do. It's not cool, it's not fashionable, but it really helps you feel the bike better and is necessary for every biker.

We thank Dima aka IronCLAD for his help in creating this lesson.

This article is not about how to ride correctly or downhill quickly, it is about how to learn it yourself faster. Many people have different styles of downhill riding, there is no universal technique, tall and short riders ride differently... some try to stay close to the ground all the time, while others overcome almost everything by jumping. However, there are basic things in both riding technique and training methods that most strong riders follow. Here we will talk about training methods. Well, a little about what to pay attention to if you are going to a competition in the mountains for the first/second time.

Next are the basic things, the observance of which often leads to rapid progress to the top 15 elite level at major mountain competitions. If I talk about more advanced things, it will be in person and in the mountains, otherwise it’s not interesting. Plus, I can say that if you can identify yourself as an already strong rider on the scale of our developing mountain biking, then you either know and use all this very well, or you are equally well using excuses that have been worked out over the years. In general, if so, then you don’t have to read.

So, let's get straight to the main point.

1. Fingers must be ready for stress. They need to be pumped up to the mountains, you can start a couple of months before the first mountains with an expander. It is advisable to do this daily, it does not take much time, and the result will be amazing, since it is the fingers that receive stress in the mountains, which they are not used to in ordinary life. If you have already been in the mountains and felt that your forearms hurt, and not your fingers, do not doubt it, the main muscles responsible for the movements of the fingers are located in the forearms.

2. You need to ride in the mountains as much as possible. You paid the money, found the time to be in the mountains, and if the main goal is to learn to ski better, don’t be lazy and ride 3-4 descents a day!!! Remember the flat ski areas of your hometown and appreciate the fact that YOU ARE TIRED OF DRIVING DOWN! For most beginners and intermediate riders, the number of descents of about 8 per day may be quite suitable (if we are talking about regular DH trails 2000-4000m long). Yes, at first it’s hard, yes, in the morning the condition can be as if all the muscles are in favor of not moving for at least another day. Eat a couple of bananas, drink some water, stretch and you'll feel better. If you want to achieve results, you need to ride in the mountains the maximum possible total (for all days) number of descents. Perhaps it is better to drive not 12, but 8 times on the first day, so that on the second you can drive not 4, but 10. But not 2-3-4. Unless, of course, you came to drink beer/take pictures of butterflies.

3. Each race must be done with some task. If you ride the descent thoughtlessly, you can consider that you have not gained any benefit from it (but you are tired). You can come up with the most global goals before going to the mountains, but these will be just goals: for example, getting into the top 10 in the “trainees” category, or learning to ride so that everyone asks each other “why is he doing this?” But each descent should have its own tasks, it is ideal to think about them on the cable car, on the way to the start, and after that, before the start itself, remember what exactly you had planned. These could be demands on yourself to go faster in certain places, to release the brakes more often (also at least in certain places, so that the task is not forgotten), or a desire to try out a new trajectory. As you go through the route, your heart rate and emotions do their job and it’s hard to force yourself to do what you set out to do, but this is how progress will appear, and it’s thanks to this that you can count on the fact that in just a few days the capabilities of passing downhill trails will reach a new level.

4. After the descent, be sure to take the time to analyze the race, find mistakes and/or successful moments. The main thing you need to do to get rid of a mistake is to think as quickly as possible after making it why it happened, how you can do without it and imagine it! The same is true for successfully completing obstacles - in order to consolidate a moment you like, you need to think about how it happened, why it is worth securing and imagine that you are passing this obstacle correctly again. Just like setting goals for a new descent, you can analyze the previous one on the way to the start. 10 minutes may well be enough for both.

5. Understand your suspension settings and be prepared to experiment with them. If you temporarily do not find any pressing technical tasks, you can play with the suspension settings. It is advisable to understand the essence of all possible settings before racing in the mountains, because time in the mountains is much more valuable and it is better to spend it directly testing the results of what you have screwed on the fork/shock absorber. You can change the pressure in the chambers, rebound (sometimes separately for different stages actuation), compression (for some forks/shock absorbers, high-speed can be adjusted separately), stiffness. Changing any of the parameters will carry a certain plus and a certain minus. For example, setting a very high rebound in the mountains by many carries both advantages (working off more bumps, greater jumping ability) and disadvantages (less shock absorption, less sticking to the track and, accordingly, worse grip in corners). Optimizing the settings for a specific route and specific (your) riding technique can greatly improve the results, in addition, “flat” settings for skiing on the plain will most likely be far from ideal.

6. Watch racing films before going to the mountains and watching strong riders ride – in the mountains themselves. Many scientists believe that visual perception of information is very, very weak, but even the results they talk about are quite enough to an extra couple reconsider again latest video or instead of relaxing by the cable car, spy on the trajectories or techniques of strong riders.

7. Follow the rules of good manners and do not be afraid to interfere with fast racers. There are several rules that are best followed when riding on downhill tracks in order not to interfere with other riders' enjoyment: a) If you stop, move off the track. Simply leaving the trajectory is not enough; many choose their own paths, which you may not even realize until you see them. Plus, you can simply distract the rider's attention. Leave with reserves. b) If you are standing at the start and see that a strong racer is about to start, try to ride not before, but almost immediately after him: this way you will not interfere with each other. However, if there are a lot of riders at the start, you shouldn’t be afraid to interfere with the fast bikers - they will wait until you move further away, and if you need to give up the start to many, start calmly. c) Be prepared that the driver catching up with you will ask to let you pass, and give in to him as soon as you have a convenient opportunity to do so. This is especially important in qualifying, when a strong driver can start behind you. If possible, you can find out in advance who it will be and, if you are afraid that you will interfere, ask them to shout a request to let you in as early as possible.

If you didn’t manage to miss quickly, don’t be upset, qualifications are carried out to a significant extent just so that you ride in the final races among riders of similar strength. d) Behave as politely as possible to all local residents/workers you encounter while skiing in the mountains. Even one negative action is enough for the hotel to be closed to bikers/discounts removed/simply not to hold competitions in this place next time. Other bikers will not be the first to thank you for this. Compliance with these rules will add pleasure to skiing in a warm, friendly company, which is always characteristic of the mountains. People who come here to ride already respect each other in some way by default, and therefore a positive attitude towards you is guaranteed even if you have not seen any of the riders before.

8. Ask for advice. Rest assured, strong riders respect you for coming to the mountains; you shouldn’t have any complexes about your level of riding. You will be respected even more for being interested in learning how to become a better skater. Moreover, most will be happy to tell you how to achieve the result you need.

9. Pay attention to the little things in technique that you cannot consistently apply in a race. Initially, no one knows what can be included in the concept of downhill riding technique, but this knowledge comes through books, articles, forums, riding with strong riders, and films. All this will gradually reveal not only the image of what a strong racer should look like, but also a direct understanding of the physics of individual movements/landing/choosing a method for overcoming specific obstacles. The technique does not depend on the general style, but on the need to speed up here, go through this turn like this, exit the turn like that, etc. A novice racer can be taught several dozen small technical elements that will speed him up on the track. Surely no one in Russia knows everything and everyone has something to learn, some more, some less, but everyone can think and realize that they can add something new to their skating and it’s quite possible to think about this back in hometown. And then, perhaps, even discuss it with someone who can evaluate/confirm/refute the correctness of your guesses.

10. Go to the mountains. In order to progress in the mountains, you need to travel to these mountains. Choose places where it is possible to make more descents, where the obstacles on the routes are varied. On downhill trails it is not customary to make obstacles that are difficult for non-professionals to overcome; do not let doubts leave your eyes closed before the real downhill. One trip to the mountains in terms of technical benefits can easily cover a year of training in most Russian cities. text: Mikhail “Valilenk” Vasilenko photo: Makov “Kubas” Nikita