...dont undestimate the power of the humble front wheel loft. if you cannot do a reliabe wheelie or manual to get the front wheel up onto an object, it's perfectly acceptable to simply yank up on the bars and plop it there.
...use the damn seatpost quick release. it's quick. drop the saddle for anticipated descents. lower than that. LOWER. i said drop the goddam saddle so slam it, fool. i dont care if it feels weird. make yourself some room and you'll soon figure out what to do with it.
...if whatever you are riding in/on sounds "crunchy" you are asking for a puncture.
...learn to differentiate between pulling up on the bar and pulling back on the bar. likewise, pushing down on the bar and pushing forward on the bar. it's easy to mix them up when you are clueless. different muscle groups are involved so take note.
..don't lockout suspension for technical climbs. only the smoothest climbs are lockout time.
...just because a tire has tread depth does not mean it's good. it't the sharp edges of new treadblocks that generate grip. compared to the very gradually wearing height of knobs, those sharp edges can be lost very quickly. pavement absolutley murders them.
... don't butt your brake lever right up to your grips. move them inwards so that your index finger lands on the hooked tip of the lever. that's where the leverage is. if you have to use two fingers.... that sucks. find a way to improve your braking power so you don't compromise your grip. if you ever use more than two fingers - congrats you have basically let go of your bike.
...the front and rear wheels have vastly different jobs to do. the tires to not have to match. the rims can be different types. the pressures can be way different.
...no bike really shifts that well. experienced riders can shift well. a derailler just pushes the chain left and right. to get consistant and smooth shifts you will need practice. don't expect an upgraded shifter or derailler to act like a proper gearbox.
...you may kiss my ring.
...try to pay attention to what your tire contact patch it actually doing. no, don't look at it, numbnuts.
...effective climbing is not all about fitness. it's mostly about form and experience.
...learn how to squeeze on power so you dont have to think in terms of pedal strokes. this is what they call "spin".
...riding with no hands is not a party trick. it's the gateway to trackstanding (which you do use your hands for).
...track standing is the abolute bomb. you should be practicing it constantly. totally clutch skill for cycling in general.
... for choppy descents, shift the chain to your big ring. it leaves less slack in the chain and reduces likelyhood of dropping or sucking which you in particular could stand less of.