MTB
Get a lesson from the experts on how to weatherproof your ride.
Riding in the wet can be a lot of fun and can really help to develop bike handling skills. It can also wreak havoc on your ride and leave you with dirt in places that are awkward to clean without the aid of a jet spray.
But don't let that stop you. We caught up with a selection of the Downhill World Cup's top mechanics to find out some tricks of the trade for making your ride mudproof.
Mudguards
It may sound obvious, but front mudguards, which play the biggest part in keeping a rider's vision clear, are on just about every bike now. Even a few years ago, mechanics were cutting up old number boards to run between the tyre and fork crown in an effort to cut down on spray. Now, however, purpose-made products are on the market, with some of the flashiest being made from carbon fibre for reduced weight.
Some of the mechanics have even taken to applying silicone spray to the undersides of mudguards and around the back end of frames to prevent mud from collecting around the bike. More mud equals more weight, which can affect suspension performance and add to rider fatigue.
Moto foam
Sam Hill’s mechanic, Jacy Shumilak, was one of the first of the top-flight spanner wagglers to embrace moto foam when the pair worked together on Iron Horse. Used extensively in motocross, the idea is simple: fill any area where mud may gather with lightweight foam.
It gets used anywhere from being wedged underneath shocks to the full length of the underside of downtubes. On top of this, the mechanics will be taping up any holes in the frame (used for cabling) to keep any filth from penetrating. The same can be seen on many pivot points and bearings to keep things smooth.
Clear vision
Being able to see where you are going is pretty essential. Riders utilise two types of goggle systems to help with this: tear offs (layers of plastic sheeting which can be torn away) and roll-off goggles (with two reels located either side of the lens and via a rip cord). A roll of transparent plastic can be pulled between the two.
All in the cut
Mud tyres are available from all the big manufacturers and are typically narrower than regular ‘dry’ tyres, with tall, widely spaced knobs to help cut through the mire. A lot of racers go a step further, however, and get these knobs trimmed down into specific cuts. The theory is that ‘cut spikes’ reduce the rolling resistance on flatter sections, where carrying speed is essential, while also allowing a rider to adjust how the bike feels in the turns.
Tyre manufacturer Schwalbe have now even produced height-adjustable clippers to help improve the accuracy of the cuts.
The mud masters
Some riders are naturally better at riding in the mud – they can usually be identified by the size of their grins when the rain clouds start to gather. Danny Hart won his World Champs stripes on a horrifically wet day in Champery in 2011. Technically gifted racers with fast, loose styles who don’t mind a bike moving around underneath them traditionally do well. Rémi Thirion, Sam Blenkinsop and Brendan Fairclough are all danger men in the wet, while title protagonists Aaron Gwin, Troy Brosnan and Greg Minnaar will also be on the gas.
Found this helpful? Check out our 12 bike hacks to make your ride flow like a pros.
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