One or two fingers?

[eviljim]

I am trying to improve my riding, so I a practicing the double blip to get over loges etc. I am finding that if if use two fingers on the clutch then I don't hold the bars at I would like, but if use one my arm gets tired. What do you all do? One or two?

 

[john r b]

I use two for a positive pull.(complete pull)

 

[wence]

One I reckon.

 

[swazi_matt]

I did a training day with chris birch last year and his advice was to ride with your guns out ... one finger on clutch and one on brake at all times

I still switch to two on the clutch when riding slow very tight rocky sections but I think that will Change the stronger my finger gets

 

[eviljim]

I did a training day with chris birch last year and his advice was to ride with your guns out ... one finger on clutch and one on brake at all times

I still switch to two on the clutch when riding slow very tight rocky sections but I think that will Change the stronger my finger gets

I think my brakes need some work I would never brake with one finger.

 

[nambo-trev]

That would have been a killer clinic. He's always been my favorite extreme rider!

 

[roostafish]

Interesting that you bring this up. I hurt my left index finger in January, and it doesn't bend more than 90 degrees now. I have switched to using my middle finger on the clutch and it has been working surprisingly well because it is a longer finger, so the reach isn't much of a reach, so to speak. You might try it a few times to see what you think.

 

[Bandit9]

I am trying to improve my riding, so I a practicing the double blip to get over loges etc. I am finding that if if use two fingers on the clutch then I don't hold the bars at I would like, but if use one my arm gets tired. What do you all do? One or two?

You hold on with your knees squeezing the bike, not with your hands.

I use one finger on both clutch and brake and keep that finger touching the levers at all times. Ready to use at any moment. I think a lot of people don't realize how little you have to move the lever to accomplish the job. They over pull the lever, thus using up strength.

 

[zeuszuki]

Make sure your lever height is set right as well. You would be surprised how quickly fatigue sets in if they are not right .

 

[bowhunter007]

Interesting that you bring this up. I hurt my left index finger in January, and it doesn't bend more than 90 degrees now. I have switched to using my middle finger on the clutch and it has been working surprisingly well because it is a longer finger, so the reach isn't much of a reach, so to speak. You might try it a few times to see what you think.

+1 using middle finger. I get a better purchase on my bars w/index finger & thumb.

 

[Garytee]

2 fingers on clutch & index finger only on the brake for me. More habit than anything else really.


2004 EC 200

 

[bazzagas]

Index finger on the clutch at all times and either 1 or 2 on the brake depending on how hard I need to apply them. As another member said, adjust your levers correctly, it will make a big difference.

 

[Caravan Monster]

I am trying to improve my riding, so I a practicing the double blip to get over loges etc. I am finding that if if use two fingers on the clutch then I don't hold the bars at I would like, but if use one my arm gets tired. What do you all do? One or two?

Do you need the clutch for double blip ? Throttle, approach speed and weight transfer should be enough to get over most logs. Difficult bit is timing the second blip right. One finger on the clutch when I expect to use it.

 

[Jakobi]

Minimum of one finger on the clutch always.

Anyone who hops a log without a finger or two covering it is just waiting to throw it away. When things go pear shaped its usually the clutch that stops all that engergy from driving the bike away from you.

 

[sevenfourate]

Minimum of one finger on the clutch always.

Anyone who hops a log without a finger or two covering it is just waiting to throw it away. When things go pear shaped its usually the clutch that stops all that engergy from driving the bike away from you.

Thats infornative for me at least ! Another tip for the memory banks........

For what its worth (And harking back to years of freestyle BMX - and using stubby DiaCompe 2-finger levers ive always ridden motorbikes with 2-fingers on each lever.

 

[motopsycho87]

Always put your levers parallel with the ground, never lower, you will get terrible pump.

Try this, twist your wrist down so your thumb tried to contact the underside of your forearm, now clench a fist.
Now bend your hand back and do the same.

And the answer to the question, start with 1, then 2... any more and you shouldn't be riding her.

 

[eviljim]

Always put your levers parallel with the ground, never lower, you will get terrible pump.

No way! My levers are set to my arms. I don't get pump I am quite light on the bars. But I am so out of shape, if I am using one finger all the time my arm does get tired.

Anyway, I seem to use a mix of two and one. I need to get fitter.

 

[sevenfourate]

No way! My levers are set to my arms. I don't get pump I am quite light on the bars. But I am so out of shape, if I am using one finger all the time my arm does get tired.

Anyway, I seem to use a mix of two and one. I need to get fitter.

From my cycling days, i was taught that the levers should follow, and continue the line of your forearms in the 'normal' riding position.....

Thats how i always set my levers up, bar the fact i always have the front brake lever slightly more upright than the clutch as its always felt 'comfier'.

 

[95jersey]

Went to an enduro school with a national champion. The advice was one finger on both and levers in the downward position. I use my middle. You will eventually build strength and by using the middle I mantain the best grip on the bars. It is tricky with a cable pull clutch.

 

[Dirt Dud]

One finger on each when I have an nasty chunk of wood or a slippery rock . Otherwise my recluse 3.0 saves my arms .