[AdCo]

<p>So, I'm thinking of digging out my MTN bike to do some riding this fall/spring when I need a break.  How do I set it up from a fit perspective? do I just do the basic setup as my road bike - not a tri-specific set up.  Also, how does mtn biking equate to road riding in terms of training for distances? I'm not doing lots of hard core single track, but want to enjoy some riding. </p>

 

[MBannon]

<p>Generally your saddle will be quite a bit lower on a mountain bike, the better to leap off the thing if you start to crash.  The more aggressive you ride, the lower your saddle should be.  Otherwise, the fit should be pretty basic - whatever is comfortable.</p>
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<p>I don't find that trail miles equate to road miles at all, really.  I know that 10 miles of mountain biking typically leaves me as tired as 35 miles or so on the road, if that's what you mean.  I think road riding has improved my ability to climb hills on the mountain bike and mountain biking has improved my bike handling skills on the road, but otherwise the two types of riding don't seem to generate much benefit for each other as far as I can tell.  Other than just basic cardio fitness, I mean.</p>
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[Yo Sake]

<p>Good for you Adam!!  I am hoping more will join in the 'fun' of riding, like when we were little - no taget speed/cadence/competition, and all that.</p>
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<p>Setup:  I am sure jr and/or somebody will chime in here.  I have no idea.  Mine was setup when I purchased it, LBS spent a quite bit of time.  When I was riding/racing on my son's bike last year, I just placed a saddle high enough to feel like producing the highest power and be comfortable. </p>
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<p>Training:  I wouldn't even compare road vs. mtb in terms of 'training'.  Road vs trail distances are totally irrelevant; all depends on the difficulty of the trails.  Even time-wise, difficult to compare; 1hr tempo ride on the road seems to be so much harder than 'hard' 1hr mtb ride.  That is because you get so much coasting on downhills/flat on trails while short uphills give you a sense of gut-bursting hard ride.  I found out even HR monitor wouldn't tell you an 'equivalent' workout load.  If you want to get good at mtbiking, you got to ride on singletrack and work on techniques.  For a purpose of keeping your bike fitness when the outside gets too cold for a road riding, I would just ride at a similar RPE as you would ride on the road for the day.  Though this wouldn't be easy due to ever changing trail course. </p>
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<p>In short, just ride and enjoy.  Off-road racing next year?  <span><img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;"></span></p>

 

[jroden]

<p>I have no clue about fit, I won't even try.   Since it's a world cup sport, google some pictures from recent cross country races in europe and look at how the pros are set up on ther bikes, e.g.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/costa-rican-cross-country-national-championships-2011/photos/183307" target="_blank">http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/costa-rican-cross-country-national-championships-2011/photos/183307</a></p>
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<p>  In terms of the workout, you can do what you need on the MTB in terms of workouts, but you need to be creative and pick the right terrain.  Just riding singletrack is decent exercise, but maybe sort of lower end aerobic so you do some volume and figure you are building some skills and cardio fitness.  MTB riders often do very long rides, perhaps it's because of the lack of intensity in regular training off road.  If you really ride hard and have good bike handing skills, you can get a good workout, but other trail users can cause conflicts if you come flying around a corner.</p>