Mountain Biking - I'm new...

Hey everybody:) I'm new to this forum and I am just getting into mountain biking. I just wanted to say that after browsing around for 5 minutes I decided to register on the forum and that this is a great forum. Anyways, like I said I'm just getting into mountain biking. I just got into it this month, I have a Trek 4500 (a $620 bike) and it seems to be getting me through the learning stage pretty well. So if anyone has any comments, advice or anything feel free to post it up. Thanks for your time:D .

Welcome to the forums G89. It is a great place. Lots of good information here and good people too.
Trek makes a great bike. It's better than my first MTB!:)
Keep riding and keep posting.

Hey dirtgrinder thanks for the note. I already feel really welcome in this forum, great place!

Hi G89 :)

I've got a Trek 8500 which I'm hoping to get around to converting into a single speed project...

How are you finding the bike? I think my first experience with a mountainbike (a 1989 Clockwork Orange) was riding it up the road from the LBS...the fat tires, and paint scheme sold me :D

Enjoy the forums

Rich

Hey G89, welcome aboard, always nice to see new mt. bikers here! Congrats on the new bike and have fun!

Quick beginner tips:

Keep your body position towards the top of the incline (hill, mtn,...etc.) What I mean is; when climbing up, keep your body weight forward on the bike; when descending keep it back!

Using brakes: 60-70% of your stopping force should be with the FRONT brake. You'll have to practice exactly "how much" is enough to slow you down w/o going over the bars. Start at 50-50 and gradually increase the front force from there!

Keep arms and legs relaxed, don't lock out your elbows or knees. Use you natural shock absorbers to soften the trail.

Avoid the death grip on the handlebars. Grip just enough to maintain control. The death grip will fatigue you fast!

When turning fast, put the opposite pedal down in the 6 o'clock position and put weight on it! This will give you more traction. IOW, if you're turning left, your right pedal should be down.

When you crash (and you WILL crash!) think small tight ball, not "try to catch myself sprawl".

Lastly, HYDRATE before the ride. If you're thirsty, it's too late!

Good Luck & L8R

HEHEHEHE first time i got on a "real" bike i used the front brake at the shop and went right over the bars!!!!

Then i learened how to, now i find that i have to try hard to make the back go into the air!!


One thing that i have fround is once you are in this "ball" you should try and distance yourself from the bike. I have had it hit me in the back way to many times!!!

Just my $.02 (american)

Jared

Originally posted by G89
Hey everybody:) I'm new to this forum and I am just getting into mountain biking. I just wanted to say that after browsing around for 5 minutes I decided to register on the forum and that this is a great forum. Anyways, like I said I'm just getting into mountain biking. I just got into it this month, I have a Trek 4500 (a $620 bike) and it seems to be getting me through the learning stage pretty well. So if anyone has any comments, advice or anything feel free to post it up. Thanks for your time:D .

Welcome to the boards, G89. I too just got into mountain biking a little over a month ago and bought a Trek 4500 as my first bike. You said its a $620 bike. Do you mean in AUS or EURO $? I picked mine up for $399.

I plan on riding this bike till the end of the year, then I will probably get a Cannondale or a Trek 6700.

hey rick, i meant $620 canadian dollars in answer to your question. How are you finding the bike? I'm probably gonna get a new bike too when I'm through the "learning stage" and pretty good.

Hey! I just joined today. Got my first bike since I was a kid on Sunday and it was a Trek 4500!! I rode for about an hour on Sunday and perphaps 1/4 hour yesterday, and man is my bum sore!! I am hoping to do some trail riding this week-end!! You will have to keep me posted on how you like your bike!! I an also enjoying this forum. I still don't know any of the "Techie" speak, but hopfully I will pick it up as I go along!!

:D :D :D

Originally posted by trasi
I rode for about an hour on Sunday and perphaps 1/4 hour yesterday, and man is my bum sore!!


Welcome to the forums, trasi! Get yourself some good padded bike shorts. They make a world of difference, I've found. And of course, plenty of time in the saddle will toughen you right up.

A big Welcome to G89, too! I ride a mountain bike, though I have yet to take it off-road. This summer I will...I promise.

:)