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Riding Techniques

RIDING TECHNIQUES

Ride Techniques for your Christini AWD Mountain Bike

The CHRISTINI All Wheel Drive “AWD” Mountain Bike has features and performance that are unmatched by any other mountain bike. To fully utilize these advantages, we at Christini, have developed some techniques that will ensure you get the most out of your CHRISTINI AWD mountain bike each time you ride.

General Riding and AWD Engagement:

  1. It is best to engage the AWD system while moving (whether pedaling or coasting). Shift the AWD engagement switch at any time while riding when you feel any loss of traction or when you feel there is an obstacle that you normally wouldn’t be able to overcome. There is no need to disengage and re-engage when stopping and restarting.
  2. Shift into AWD in slippery conditions or in winter riding where ice and snow are present.
  3. While you can ride in AWD at all times, and there is very little friction in the bearing-supported system, some riders prefer to disengage the system for pavement riding or on hard packed surfaces. This is clearly a rider preference that is up to you!

Climbing:

  1. The advantages for AWD in climbing will become immediately apparent. Lean farther forward than usual or stand up on steep inclines in situations where you would normally have to stay tucked on your seat for rear wheel traction.
  2. Adjust your center of gravity to ensure that the proper amount of traction is achieved with both the rear and front wheels. (This may take a few rides, but will eventually become intuitive.)
  3. Be aggressive on the hills. Charge from the bottom as if you expect not to lose traction and you will climb hills you never climbed before…guaranteed!
  4. Many riders climb with a higher gear while the AWD is engaged because the increased traction enables one to keep up momentum (and speed) much easier. Due to the increased climbing speed, spinning the pedals too fast could result in loss of control and momentum, defeating the climbing advantages of AWD.

Descending:

  1. Lean into corners on downhills and allow the front wheel to track around corners. This is a bit unnerving at first but the AWD bike will literally show you the way! Remember, even when coasting, the front wheel will be powered if it should start to drift in a turn. This makes downhill riding more controlled, especially in corners.
  2. The front wheel will track over rocks, logs and other obstacles. AWD will automatically transfer power to a front wheel that has been thrown off the track by an obstacle, enabling easier and faster recovery from near-falls and wheel slippage.
  3. On extreme and slow descents, use the brakes and keep a slow pedal rhythm to transfer power to the front wheel, creating additional front wheel traction.
  4. As with all riding, do not lock the front wheel brake without also using the rear brake and keeping your weight to the rear. Note that because of the nature of the AWD system, applying the front brake slows both the front AND the back wheel.

Icy and Wet Surfaces; Mud and Snow:

  1. While AWD truly excels in the worst riding conditions, always remember that icy and wet surfaces remain very difficult and dangerous situations for bicycle riders. Cars may not expect to see bicycles in rainy and snowy conditions so use extra caution when riding on the road.
  2. Be patient and adjust your speed according to the conditions: On wet, snowy or icy terrain, the front wheel, even though powered, remains more apt to slip sideways or not grab the surface when turning (just as a car will slide through a turn).
  3. Nevertheless, test the limits and new opportunities! AWD provides greater traction and often seems more stable than walking on slippery surfaces. Get a set of studded tires for a truly unique winter commute.
  4. The AWD drive system is built to withstand large forces. Four to six inches of snow will provide a unique challenge. A couple inches of mud is no longer an impassable barrier. Remember, keep the momentum and keep the pedals churning!
  5. In extreme mud and snow conditions, additional care should be taken to clean the gears, clutch system and universal joint during and after the ride to ensure smooth engagement of the AWD system.

Finally, we believe the range of AWD opportunities are boundless. Feel free to pass along your personal AWD experiences and tips to us via email to sales@christinibicycles.com so that we may all experience and share the best AWD has to offer!