practice gate

[knuckleheadspeed]

I built this gate and wanted to share the plans with everyone. It took me a little over an hour and cost around $70. Material list on drawing. My son Cole Kerr 6I and I need all the gate practice we can get.

Enjoy!!

[knuckleheadspeed]

Drawing

[sixstringsteve]

Nice, looks like a stumpy gate. I wonder if we develop good or bad technique to learn to ride these since you have to take weight off the gate to make it work.

I'd love to see the design of the arm that holds the pin up.

[knuckleheadspeed]

We practice weekly with a real 2 man timed gate. I built this to practice balance inbetween practices and races.

[sixstringsteve]

sweet. I'm curious to hear how it compares to the timed gate and how it helps you. Looks like a good build

[knuckleheadspeed]

It's mainly for my son and really balance only. He has been struggling in the gates and Ron suggested I do something more to help him. I think it was mostly the thanksgiving break and reduced track time since indoor season started. He's been good in the gates but lately struggling quite a bit. Last Saturday I had gate 2, lost my balance started in 5th or 6th then had to work hard for that win. I don't expect that will ever happen again. Also started running clipless so I need the practice myself. I'm going to change up my gearing also so previous 30' times will be off. I guess late Dec or January illl know for sure if my practice gate times improve.

[sixstringsteve]

I wondered what happened. You're normally leading the pack the whole way. That's gotta feel good though to win a race like that though. I remember you telling me how much you enjoyed working your way up from the back, I'll bet you never meant from 6th place! I love to see someone work super hard for a win like that.

I just started with clips too, and I'm REALLY liking them. I still have mine set super loose, but so far so good. Wish I were closer so I could practice with ya.

So does the gate drop at all, or is it fixed in place for balancing?

[knuckleheadspeed]

I took a picture of the pin but I can't get it to post. It drops easy. With only a slight drop in pressure it comes down and quick but not like the mechanical gate.

[sixstringsteve]

I may have to copy your design. Mine drops 90% of the time, but it freaks me out that it may not come down that other 10% of the time.

[joker75]

Nice, looks like a stumpy gate. I wonder if we develop good or bad technique to learn to ride these since you have to take weight off the gate to make it work.

I'd love to see the design of the arm that holds the pin up.

My understanding is that when you do a good gate start, just the release of weight by pulling on your bars to get your body moving forward will release the gate. Unfortunately, most of us with some common sense have a hard time committing to throwing your body forward when there is something so obviously holding you back. Once you get past that initial hang up, they should be a great training tool. You just have to force yourself to concentrate on getting that momentum built up by pulling on your bars instead of rocking back into a slingshot type move.

I have been thinking about building one of these for a while now, but just haven't gotten the ambition. The should also be great for doing sprints because you are always starting the same place and same position, so you can get more consistent feedback using a speedometer to gauge your speed at certain distances from the gate.

[Skew]

We practice weekly with a real 2 man timed gate. I built this to practice balance inbetween practices and races.

Jeremy, that looks like a nice setup. No wonder you have such fast starts. I was watching a video from the November race and couldn't believe how fast you were pulling away from everyone on the first straight.

Where are you using a real practice gate at? I'd love for my son and I to get in on that unless its at a secret bmx training compound.

Also I noticed your profile says Kaysville, did you guys move from West Bountiful or vise versa?