While not necessarily always true (see brake blip to get back end sliding to steer with rear wheel), you should never hold an extended skid. That just kills trails.If you're skidding, you're no longer slowing down as efficiently as if you're not.
You're also not in control. Fail.
Never.
drifting implies that your tires are still spinning unaffected by your brakesNever skid, when properly done it is called drifting.
If you're new on a trail and come into a corner real hot, where the penalty for failure is falling off a cliff or taking out cactus, is it ok to lock your rear brake and whip your rear end out.... is what I'm trying to say.
I skid only when climbing. But mostly because I run out of gas and slide backwards.
Ah yes, the Pac Blue turn. My friends and I know it well.
Skidding on gravel roads is OK.
Yup. You shouldn't be going full clip if it's your first time on a particular trail.As a matter of riding theory, the answer is still no. If you are riding a new trail you should slow down so you can anticipate surprises like that.
So that's theory, and that's what you should strive for. As a matter of real world riding experience, sure there are times when skids happen. It usually means you are out of control or you don't know how to use your front brake. Either way, no it's not ok.
You need traction to brake quickly. If you are skidding you have lost traction and it will take you longer to stop. That's why cars have anti-lock braking systems (ABS).
Joker is right that sometimes a "blip" will help with angle corrections but that is not the same as locking your brakes and sliding down the trail in a full skid.
Didn't get enough abuse from STR about skidding down SJT?
I wasn't going full clip, I coulda gone faster but I didn't know the trail. Sorry Sluck, but that's the truth.Yup. You shouldn't be going full clip if it's your first time on a particular trail.
edit: to use a moto term, i think the kind of 'blip' you are referring to is called a cutty?
Ask anyone who knows me... I'm actually a little sadistic . Besides, I've been here longer than there. I place larger bias to what RM thinks.... maybe it's because RM is worldwide and pools thoughts from a bigger tank.... or maybe it's because I think you're sexy... I guess that depends on how much I've had to drinkDidn't get enough abuse from STR about skidding down SJT?
Actually, most trail damage is not caused by power slides ala Sam Hill.
It is from bad braking on steep chutes...
I'm on my second glass of scotch.I guess that depends on how much I've had to drink
I'm on my second glass of scotch.
...which is bad trail design, and it isn't just braking on those that leads to erosion, but a lot of the erosion comes from water running down the trail.It is from bad braking on steep chutes...
Well, d'oh, yes. I endeavor not to skid but sometimes it happens.If you're new on a trail and come into a corner real hot, where the penalty for failure is falling off a cliff or taking out cactus, is it ok to lock your rear brake and whip your rear end out.... is what I'm trying to say.
While I agree with the fact that the rest of the world is doing much more harm to the environment than our 2-5 foot long skids on already barren trail are...I think more of the point is that we, as mountain bikers, need to be perceived as good environmental stewards. The last thing we need is some Sierra Club'er to find a giant tire skid in the middle of their favorite trail while out on a hike. That's the quickest way to loose access.Skidding isn't going to do anywhere near as much damage as mountainbikers have over the years. The sport has grown huge and thereby killed green and left brown. Brown runs under rain, and creates drainage ditches, rutts and crevises. Which make for GREAT technical riding I might add. I like skidding once in a while when stopping. But I always skid on super steep sections in the technicals. Got to. The rest of the world is killing the earth a hell of a lot worse than my 2.5 nobby. But I did stop riding in the rain though to protect it a little bit.
Huh? If you are going to talk about trail damage the two primary reasons mt. bikes cause trail damage would be skidding which creates ruts and stutter bumps. Many times it's from riders who are not good riders as they roll too hot and brake excessively. The other is riding in poor weather conditions which you have stated you refrain from doing, good for you.Skidding isn't going to do anywhere near as much damage as mountainbikers have over the years.
When you make a trail you are getting rid of organic soil. Fertile poopy vegetation stuff that plants like to grow in. The brown you are referring to is called Mineral Soil, which consists of sand,clay, and silt. What percentage of sand, clay, silt varies from region to region.The sport has grown huge and thereby killed green and left brown. Brown runs under rain, and creates drainage ditches, rutts and crevises. Which make for GREAT technical riding I might add.
No you never "got to". i've ridden on pretty much near vertical rock chutes and the last thing you want to do is skid. But even if i did skid on rock, you cannot create a rut in rock.I like skidding once in a while when stopping. But I always skid on super steep sections in the technicals. Got to.
This is so true, but we are getting trails closed to us by people who say mt. biking is bad for the environment. i would hope many mt. bikers learn more of trail building and advocacy in mt. biking clubs. By learning just a little bit, we have alot of good things to gain, and alot to lose. If only a higher percentage of mt. bikers gave more than just a rats ass.The rest of the world is killing the earth a hell of a lot worse than my 2.5 nobby.