Preload - what is it - why use it? | Why criticism is a gift!

The preload - sometimes also called stomp or load - can make many skills on your mountain bike easier. Some coaches however say it’s wrong! This video explains what I think about this and why I like to use the preload for moves such as the manual, bunny hop, front wheel lift and more.
And I share an experience that caused me to film this and why criticism is a present!
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#moreskillsmorefun #preload #frontwheellift
#mountainbiking #mentalcoaching #mindset #personalgrowth #mtbwomen #mtbtutorial #rideandinspire

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

These videos will also be of interest to you: How to Bunny Hop & Bunny Flop: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2e2oK2kgK2eaZo Riding Position Breakdown: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iarHeHVrg7NmkMk Step-by-Step Trackstand Tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4etn6KIirWDr6s

[@sapyproducts]

You’re one of the most intelligent and professional MTB coaches I’ve seen. It’s time for me to analyze my use of preloading. As always, thank you for sharing your videos!

[@jackoneil3933]

Excellent! What you said about criticism being a gift is something so few people seem to humble themselves enough to understand. I am also reminded of the words of General Chuck Yeager, the first man to break the sound barrier said when I was lucky enough to meet him several decades ago. I asked him if he had any advice for aspiring aviators, and he replied very simply in his Texas drawl: "Don't believe everything any one person tells you about how to fly a airplane, learn it fer yourself"

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

totally agree! The problem is that many people think in "right" or wrong categories and often we allow our egos to get in the way of learning. Thanks for your comment, Jack!

[@Leumas7.7]

thanks i just got a new bike this helps im a beginner from 2 years later

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Awesome! Then do check out my coaching page, too - you can get a free trackstand course there! It's linked in my channel info 🙂

[@johnr909]

If pre-loading is wrong, I don’t wanna be right. Coming in so late but new to your channel and digging it.

[@TC_Prof]

Amazing Roxy thank you ❤😊🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

❤

[@SLanD3rous]

Just found your channel. Love how you go through all the bio mechanics. Keep up the great work!

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Thank you so much!

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Thank you so so much!

[@RobBradshawG]

Preload is also super helpful for balanced/even landing off a slow speed drop

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Agreed!

[@heal2bhuman139]

At first I just wanted to skip the talk about criticism, but I appreciate the thoughts about life and mountain bikes. 😊

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Thank you. You’re such a star for sharing this brave comment 🙏😍

[@User0555laden]

Thank you Mom i understand now cause of you send 💕 love

[@marniwh]

thank you! aim 5'2". I appreciate your perspective

[@letsgoletsgoletsgoletsgoletsgo]

im a subscriber to Ryan leech's RLC hub and he is a big proponent of the preload to launch things like manuals and drops . i used to be very anti Preload due to certain youtuber's advice as preloading requires more skill and timing . but i am begining to come round to appreciate the preload

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Hey Papa, interesting. Do you remember which KZbinr this was? The preload can help with MANY things - but of course it can also make a lot of things less precise and more wobbly - like with all skills, it really depends on the person, the skill and the situation. However, what I would be very careful about is taking skills advice from KZbinrs as the absolute truth. Most KZbinrs are not coaches - they are riders sharing their experience. This is immensely helpful - don’t get me wrong - BUT it may not work for you specifically, as it is THEIR experience and not proven and qualified coaching advice they are sharing. Again: it will be helpful and it’s great they do so, but it may not be for you. 😊 Once you start working with a personal and experienced coach, however (and I really mean ONE coach), trusting his or her process , IF this is a professional coach, he/she will find what really works for YOU and you’ll make progress reliably. If you’d like to do that with me, you’ll find the link to my free Trackstand course and my other courses on my channel. It’s different from RLC 😇 (where i used to be a freelance coach beside my full-time coaching job). Have fun on my channel and thanks for the comment ❤🎉 Roxy

[@winnguyen443]

Girl , I’m 62 years old and I’m learning life lessons from you!

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Thank you so much for being here and being open to learn 😍 It’s priceless!! And it will keep you young forever ❤️🧡

[@aryan__bapeop5094]

Thank you for this video❤

[@clydesdalemountainbiking7393]

Interesting, I am part of a local group of riders in Vancouver BC and preload came up last week. Due to another youtuber showcasing drops without a preload (in fact explaining preload shouldn't be used) The more experiences riders who also tend to ride some of the jankier trails with ... interesting drops ... say preload is extremely important. Any slow speed maneuvers require a preload. Always interesting perspectives.

[@jurgentrockenbau9321]

If you need preload/active technique to clear such an obstacle and/or if its "ramp" is going up (even just a little) it is no longer a drop. It is a step-down. A drop has a level or downwards pointing "ramp" an is to be cleared without preload. At least that is what Fluidride teaches in their series "Practice Like A Pro" which I find to be the most in-depth MTB riding skills series on KZbin. Check it out, if you like... But Roxy here is on the same high level of teaching in my opinion. Just different approach and emphasis...👌🏻🙂👍🏻 Cheers from Germany 🤘🏻

[@clydesdalemountainbiking7393]

@@jurgentrockenbau9321 I agree about the ramp. However it would still be a flat drop I am referring to for preload. Lets says its really rooty or doesn't allow for "just" a front wheel lift. You would pre-load to give the rear wheel vertical movement room to float over the technical terrain to complete the drop. Vs a straight manual technique which will drive the front end down when the rear wheel catches on something. the preload into the face of a step down or jump is more aggressive to assist in creating vertical lift which isn't what I described above :) Love fluidride. I plan to head down there next summer for some coaching :)

[@jurgentrockenbau9321]

@@clydesdalemountainbiking7393 I know exactly ehat you're talking about. And I agree. I guess Fluidride just sticks to the definition of drop vs step down very precise. I believe in the example you gave they'd call it a step down, just because one needs to preload to clear the roots an land safely... Maybe they're overdoing that theoretical thing a bit...😁 Best regards✌🏻

[@void_presence]

Great video! Kind'a thinking that when an instructor tells you something is wrong, they just mean that the tool/technique shouldn't be used when learning. Kind of like when you're in school learning math, it's wrong to use a calculator because you should be learning math without depending on it.

[@Bike4adventure]

Your awesome, Thanks!

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Thank you ever so much for your kind comment and for taking the time to comment in the first place! Very grateful!

[@grindelwald_5306]

can you explain the the + and - on preload

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

That’s the setting of the suspension. This video is about the SKILL of prloading through the feet 😌

[@grindelwald_5306]

@@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire ok thanks i recently bought a trek marlin 6 gen 3 and i dont know how to use them that is why im searching 🤣✌️

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

@@grindelwald_5306 There already are a fair amount of good videos, but I am planning on doing a really good one soon for my Patrons. 🙂

[@austinthornton3407]

Interesting. The problem I have with pre-loading on flat pedals is that whilst its great for getting more spring up, it sets up an oscillation of the bike and my body which if not in perfect sync, causes me to lose pedal grip, which is a disaster if off the ground.

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Hi Austin, thanks for soya latte! LOVE it! Then the problem is usually not the PREload, but the UNload phase :-) The goal is to LOAD the suspension through the feet, but then to stay connected to the pedals and bike afterwards, by performing a "body wedge" for bike lifts, or, if we are performing a front wheel lift, to then extend your legs INTO the pedals, not away from the pedals. Hope this makes sense? On my Patreon Channel I also have Trouble Shooter Tutorials and you can ask for personalized content - so if it doesn't then maybe my Patreon channel will help :-) Enjoy practicing and thanks again for the coffee!

[@markdallamora7644]

I really would buy you a coffee; but I’m in Australia and you are in Europe. I love your training videos. You are an excellent communicator.

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Thanks a lot, Mark. Well - you can buy me a coffee from wherever you are: www.buymeacoffee.com/RoxyInspires/ 😊😍🥰

[@andy-rt9io]

Is it safer to use preload or not? Like when doing trails and jumps.

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

It depends on the jump and the bike. There is no one fits all answer to this. The most important step, however, is to have really solid fundamentals. I have a video about the skills algorithm (skills pyramid) which will clarify.

[@jasonbone5121]

Another great video Roxy. Your time is always appreciated!

[@MrBogfrog]

It's so refreshing to watch high IQ content. I bought you your coffee.

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Thank you so much ☺️ well appreciated and needed 🥰🥰🥰

[@RydenAround]

You're freeken awesome!

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

😍🥰 thanks so much for watching and commenting. You rock!

[@indigenouspeddlers658]

I love your video! Thank you so much!

[@gatoryak7332]

"Preload" is a term that should be banished from mountain bikers' lexicon. MTBers use the word to describe multiple things, but really only one is accurate and the others are confusing and sometimes downright wrong. Reading through the comments here will indicate that many people can ostensibly watch a very clear explanation of one form of preload and still not get the concept. Instead, use terms that have one meaning only: 1) Instead of referring to a suspension setting as 'preload', call it 'sag'. 2) Instead of referring to rapidly compressing the suspension and then aggressively releasing, say 'stomp'. Stomp is the subject of this video. 3) Some people talk about preloading their bodies when they really mean lower themselves from the 'ready-position' to a deep hinge. Many cornering tutorials advise to preload when entering a corner and release at the apex of the turn. I have no idea what they are talking about. Many jumping tutorials advise to preload at the beginning of a ramp, then release at the top. I have no idea what they are talking about.

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Hi Gato, I gotta say there is a difference between a load and a stomp 😊 A stomp is a quick burst of energy to compress the bike without using the full range of the body. A preload/load (what I’m showing here) is using the whole body’s range of motion and a bigger compression of the bike. But I agree, it can get very confusing. Especially as the preload is also used to refer to the fork setup. I prefer load and stomp. But yes, there is a difference. 😊

[@gatoryak7332]

@@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire I'll have to ponder on that. Do you have any videos that demonstrate stomping so that I might see the differentiation that you make and the situations where to use a stomp vs. a load?

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

@@gatoryak7332 I don’t yet, but I was actually thinking of doing one in future 😊 If you watch my manual front wheel lift video (with my partner Bernie doing the demos) - I’ll look for it and post it in my next comment - you’ll see him use a nice crisp stomp - but you’re totally right, in order to avoid confusion, I call it a load/preload in that video to. (I guess it adds to the confusion for those who actually want to know the difference between stomp and load, though 😅) And if you compare his stomps with my load form this video, you might be able to tell the difference. I’ll share it in a sec 😊

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

@@gatoryak7332 here it is - example 2 of the techniques you’ll see berni use a stomp kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqjFonutj69rjNE

[@li5afuchs]

thanks

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

🙏🙏

[@Cloverkingdom1976]

the saddle post do you get this cut because mine is high and i need a shorter saddle post

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

I have a bike yoke and can highly recommend it.

[@jonathanstone2754]

Hey Roxy, love the preload! Equipment question for you: I see that you have a dropper post, and your frame doesn't leave much insertion room. May I ask what post you're using? My wife is also relatively short, and her bike frame has a similar (very short) seat tube, and I'm having a hard time finding a post that will work for her.

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Hi Jonathan, oh yes I know that problem... I use the BikeYoke with 125mm. Have you tried that one?

[@jonathanstone2754]

@@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire Thanks for the recommendation! Hmm, that one seems to be too long - total length ~400mm. She'll need one no more than 300mm total length.

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Jonathan Stone oh ok... hm, no i am very sorry then...

[@katcmurphy4321]

Hello, Can you make a video on how to do jumps? I see my friends naturally jumping on any small jump they see on the trails and I want to learn the technique so I can not only do it but do it right. Just to clarify, I'm talking about jumps on the trails while riding. I wonder if that just requires preload as well. :)

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

It does :-) here’s a video I made :-) hope you like it Kat! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKS7l2WDlLtmo5I

[@katcmurphy4321]

@@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire This is exactly what I needed. Thank you so much! Excellent video. :)

[@deanawinslow]

Thanks Roxy!

[@marly54]

Hi, im new to mtbs and, whenever i try to adjust the preload, i cant rotate it, i want it to go to the plus side but its just too hard to rotate, same goes when i want to go to the minus side

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Hi, I’d ask your mechanic :-) it’s hard to say from afar.

[@marly54]

@@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire ah, thanks

[@hassanaliwi2927]

Dear I have Specialized Rockhopper,the preload whether positive or negative are the same,I want smooth and softer rebound so which one to use ?

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Yes it’s the Same :-) that depends on how and what you Ride.

[@parkourandfreerunning4214]

So you can still preload and compress with no suspension bike? Does it give you even more energy when you bounce back up with no suspension than on a suspension bike? See for wheelie a lot of KZbin tutorials tell me to do a slight compression with arms on front wheel. And people who don't mention it I also see them compress the front wheel. Do you think I should use it? Because I need to know whether I preload or not on wheelie. If I don't preload I have to pedal harder to pop front wheel up. I don't want to change my technique everytime for wheelies such as no compression, harder pedal or slight compression with softer pedal. I want to focus on just one technique because changing my technique everytime will make it harder for me to figure out the wheelie. Thank you.

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Yes, the preload is even more efficient on a bike with no suspension, as no energy is absorbed by the suspension. I am not a fan of giving “the one and only” technique for anything - because mountain biking is a sport requiring fast reaction times and the ability to adjust to what the trail demands. About the wheelie: I for example use the “fork-preload” to pop up the front, only if I am riding at faster speed. But at slower speeds I try not to, because it pops the wheel to high, requiring me to use the brake straight away. If you are an advanced rider, it is ideal to have different options to reach the same goal - because it makes you more versatile. I like to think of it like a toolbox with many tools. The more you have, the greater the chance of having the right one ;-) Does this make sense?

[@parkourandfreerunning4214]

@@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire Thanks so much!! This will help so much.

[@johnpaul250]

How to use it?the plus and minus on preloading?

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Hi John, yes, that's the content of this video :-)

[@josephevans5538]

@@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire good 😌 I’ll see

[@yashupintu1]

hi , is your bike a 29er or 27.5 and I wanted to know is 27.5 good or a 29 er for me as my height is 5,2 and I use my mtb more on road then off road

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Hi Yashu, mine is 27,5“. Ideally try both and decide then :-)

[@Adrian-mf6id]

Wait do you put it on positive or negative

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

That depends on what you want to reach.

[@tylerweaver8596]

Pre load is life

[@trailwomanrc]

So.......... why not use preload? I find preloading helps with sitting wheelies and manuals. I can't think of one reason not to. It saves not only energy, but strain on your joints.

[@brucemilmont6455]

I think you would be a great friend.

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

💗

[@ts122231]

Many thanks for this video. I am fully with you. Another example. I am a heavy rider - 110 kg in muscles - and therefore the preload is so important for me, e.g. to be able to ride switchbacks in a dynamic fashion, which requires the preload otherwise i would not be able to lift my back wheel from the ground.

[@Eric_Tennant]

👍

[@sanjeetnehra6118]

will you convert this video in hindi language

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Unfortunately I can’t - sorry

[@prodharbi]

Hi thanks for the vid! Helped me out a load... but if i were to be going on a pump track or jumps for example... would i have preload on or off? Thanks

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

With jumping it’s a little more complex. There are several techniques to jump. And yes, one of them involves a preload. Pumping is different than preloading, depending on what you want to reach.

[@prodharbi]

@@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire ok thank you very much Roxy.... if I were to be in the woods going over roots and stuff and going on trails would I have preload on or off?thanks

[@JLising]

❤️❤️❤️

[@fauziatahir4644]

Explode?

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Yes explode in the sense of extending your legs explosively.

[@Covid-mq9cp]

I thought I'm watching a ted-ed video..

[@momohwak8686]

You Talk more and Say Less.

[@Roxybike_Ride.and.Inspire]

Well, better than saying little and being rude 🫶