Kenta’s XC Tips: Carrying Speed

By: TJ Bottom

Speed isn’t just for straightaways. Let Kenta Gallagher walk you through the art of keeping the flow, conserving energy, and carrying momentum on the trail.

Let’s be honest—just mashing pedals doesn’t always make you faster. Carrying speed isn’t about pushing harder; it’s about finding the flow and letting the trail do some of the work. Kenta Gallagher, Cannondale Factory Racing’s technical coach and resident speed whisperer, is back to show you how to keep things smooth —because smooth is fast. Today, he’s breaking down the art of momentum management, efficient pedaling, and picking the line that keeps your pace quick and steady.

Coach Kenta’s XC Tips & Tricks

PLAY FILM

1. Momentum Management

"Momentum management—when you think of it, you’re basically trying to subtract anything that can help you lose speed," says Kenta. In other words, stop sabotaging yourself. Look ahead, find the backside of bumps or jumps, and aim for them. Hit them right, and you’ll fly out with more speed than you had going in. Kenta compares it to a pump track: "Drive the bike into the ground and go light on it again." It’s all about timing.

Kenta’s Tip: "Flow the trail, drive the bike down, and let it breathe." Nail this, and it’ll feel like the trail’s giving you a free pass.

2. Efficient Pedaling

Pedaling harder isn’t the answer—pedaling smarter is. "As long as you’re always putting consistent power down, you’ll always be able to keep rolling forward," Kenta explains. The key is to keep a steady rhythm, not explosive bursts. Find a pace that lets you keep moving without burning out, and you’ll stay fast through the whole ride.

Kenta’s Tip: A smooth, even pedal stroke keeps you rolling. Think of it as finding your groove and sticking with it. No rush, just that steady power will get you where you want to go, faster.

3. Choosing the Right Line

Lines aren’t set in stone—unless you’re riding over one. According to Kenta, "There isn’t a right and a wrong line, but there’s a hard and an easier line." The key is to find the one that lets you roll smoothly and maintain speed. Whether it’s a wider arc around a corner or a quick hop over a rock, the easiest line is the one that lets you flow like water—fast, effortless, and flowing in sync with the trail.

Kenta’s Tip: Don’t just follow the crowd—"Experiment with lines and see which one feels smooth and fast." The smoother the ride, the faster you’ll be.

Conclusion

Carrying speed isn’t about overpowering the trail—it’s about being smart, smooth, and finding your rhythm. Kenta’s tips are all about keeping that flow, staying efficient with your pedaling, and choosing the line that lets you keep your speed without fizzling out.

Now it’s your turn—note these tips, hit the trail, and see how much faster (and smoother) your ride gets.

Compare Products

Add another bike to compare
Specifications

Details

Plattform

Details

      Modell

      Details

          Modellnummer

          Details

              Rahmenset

              Rahmen

              Details

                  Gabel

                  Details

                      Steuersatz

                      Details

                          Rear Shock

                          Details

                              E-System

                              Motor

                              Details

                                  Batterie

                                  Details

                                      Ladegerät

                                      Details

                                          Display

                                          Details

                                              Certifications

                                              Details

                                                  Antrieb

                                                  Schaltwerk

                                                  Details

                                                      Front Derailleur

                                                      Details

                                                          Schalthebel

                                                          Details

                                                              Kette

                                                              Details

                                                                  Kurbel

                                                                  Details

                                                                      Kassette

                                                                      Details

                                                                          Bottom Bracket

                                                                          Details

                                                                              Pedals

                                                                              Details

                                                                                  Bremsen

                                                                                  Bremsen

                                                                                  Details

                                                                                      Bremshebel

                                                                                      Details

                                                                                          Laufräder

                                                                                          Vorderradnabe

                                                                                          Details

                                                                                              Hinterradnabe

                                                                                              Details

                                                                                                  Rim Material

                                                                                                  Details

                                                                                                      Rim Depth

                                                                                                      Details

                                                                                                          Rim Outer Width

                                                                                                          Details

                                                                                                              Rim Inner Width

                                                                                                              Details

                                                                                                                  Rim Type

                                                                                                                  Details

                                                                                                                      Nipple Type

                                                                                                                      Details

                                                                                                                          Wheel Weight

                                                                                                                          Details

                                                                                                                              Dish Offset

                                                                                                                              Details

                                                                                                                                  Effective Rim Diameter

                                                                                                                                  Details

                                                                                                                                      Maximum Spoke Tension

                                                                                                                                      Details

                                                                                                                                          Max Tire Pressure

                                                                                                                                          Details

                                                                                                                                              Brake Type

                                                                                                                                              Details

                                                                                                                                                  Rider Weight Limit

                                                                                                                                                  Details

                                                                                                                                                      Felgen

                                                                                                                                                      Details

                                                                                                                                                          Speichen

                                                                                                                                                          Details

                                                                                                                                                              Spoke Count

                                                                                                                                                              Details

                                                                                                                                                                  Spoke Length (NDS-DS)

                                                                                                                                                                  Details

                                                                                                                                                                      Spoke Type

                                                                                                                                                                      Details

                                                                                                                                                                          Reifengröße

                                                                                                                                                                          Details

                                                                                                                                                                              Reifendimension

                                                                                                                                                                              Details

                                                                                                                                                                                  Naben

                                                                                                                                                                                  Details

                                                                                                                                                                                      Reifen

                                                                                                                                                                                      Details

                                                                                                                                                                                          Vorderreifen

                                                                                                                                                                                          Details

                                                                                                                                                                                              Hinterreifen

                                                                                                                                                                                              Details

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Reifenwulst

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Details

                                                                                                                                                                                                      Reifen Karkasse

                                                                                                                                                                                                      Details

                                                                                                                                                                                                          Reifen-Schutz

                                                                                                                                                                                                          Details

                                                                                                                                                                                                              Reifentyp

                                                                                                                                                                                                              Details

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Komponenten

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Lenker

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Details

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Vorbau

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Details

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Griffe

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Details

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Sattel

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Details

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Sattelstütze

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Details

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Verbindung

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Radsensoren

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Details

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Leistungsmesser

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Details

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Speed Sensor

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Details

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Extra

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Extra 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Details

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Sichtbarkeit

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Lichter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Details

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Farbe

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Details

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Reifen Seitenwand

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Details