Cornering Position for Road Riding

[rubberhedgehog]

Hey everyone.

I was wondering if someone can enlighten me a bit about cornering position.
For MTB riding I have learnt to stay as upright as possible through a corner with my outside leg low down pushing the bike down into the corner as it leans around the bend.

Now, for a road bike (more accurately, for riding a bike on the road) should I lean with the bike, against the bike or lean further into the corner like with a motorbike?

Thanks!

Ari

 

[lulubel]

Lean into the corner, but not like a motorbike! Keep your inside knee close to the bike, not stuck out towards the road. And keep the weight down through your outside leg the same as on the mountain bike.

And remember, like all other tyres, road tyres don't have unlimited grip, and the worse and wetter the surface is, the less grip you have.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Everything you need to know about cornering a bicycle ...

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/descending.html

 

[rubberhedgehog]

Thanks guys! lulubel - I know to keep my inner knee in towards the bike (same as MTB) but I guess this means that I'm leaning at approximately the same angle as the bike? I'm doing countersteering when travelling at speed (something that comes naturally anyway) and gripping with my arms on the bars while keeping them bent to absorb any shocks. Fab Foodie - thanks for that link. His page has kept me busy all day! Ari

 

[brockers]

Lean into the corner, but not like a motorbike!

Yes. Hanging off and trying to get your knee down is not a good look on a pushbike.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Keep your eyes on the line you want to take and the angle of lean will take care of itself.

 

[2Loose]

Keep your eyes on the line you want to take and the angle of lean will take care of itself.

+1.
Keep looking at where you want to get to, not at the road just in front of the wheel. It will help the body relax in the corner and assume a natural position that automatically adjusts with speed.

Sitting 'up' in the corner will push force the centre of gravity lower and therefore reduce tyre traction even more. This is compensated for on the mtb by sticking your foot out, which is not advisable with cleats on the road!