The Mountain Biking Way
#1
a badass heeb on wheels
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The Mountain Biking Way
I have recently seen a lot of newbies and non-newbies asking "How can I ride this?" or "How do I do this?" Well, I figured it would end a lot of confusion if I made a thread about all the mountain biking tips. So if you have any tip, weather its from equipment to how to ride a skinny, post it here. And lets get this thing stickied!
To start it off- here's my little piece of advice:
Though many say that its not the bike you ride- but how you ride the bike, I find it is a LOT easier to do many things on a better bike.
To start it off- here's my little piece of advice:
Though many say that its not the bike you ride- but how you ride the bike, I find it is a LOT easier to do many things on a better bike.
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this is very true. My $2500 bike is consderably better balanced than my $300 bike. This makes it much easier to bunny hop or even carry. That is one of the many benefits.
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I'm a beginner riding a 30lb Hardtail right now. I want to learn techniques like bunny hop,endoing, etc. Is it going to be EXTremely hard due to its weight?
#4
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not extremely hard, but a lighter bike should be a bit easier to hop
#6
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definitely. bunny hopping requires that you use your entire bike as a lever to swing off of. if you cant take full advantage of it, your hop will be reduced dramatically.
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I've just started reading Ned Overend's "Mountain Bike Like a Champion" and I can say that it's a great read so far. A worthwhile investment for the $17 I paid for it at Borders Books.
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This is a pretty comprehensive guide to technique and more.
https://www.faqs.org/faqs/bicycles-faq/mountain-bikes/
https://www.faqs.org/faqs/bicycles-faq/mountain-bikes/
#10
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trackstanding would be good, however i am not the one to ask on the subject
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We are avoiding the sticky thing. But we do have a best of thread listed at the top of this page
or here
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...73#post1180173
keep up the tips
or here
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...73#post1180173
keep up the tips
#12
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Someone posted this in another link but I will here. MasteringMountainBikeSkills
Along with Overend's book this one is a must read. Ned's is good but this one has current information and would apply to the new generation of riders a little better then Ned's book.
Also, take a look at this site Trials You may not be a trials rider but they give good explanation of how to do the basics such as bunnyhopping, track stands and riding up objects.
Along with Overend's book this one is a must read. Ned's is good but this one has current information and would apply to the new generation of riders a little better then Ned's book.
Also, take a look at this site Trials You may not be a trials rider but they give good explanation of how to do the basics such as bunnyhopping, track stands and riding up objects.
#13
Throw the stick!!!!
My biggest tip is that there is absolutely no shame in walking. If you feel that something is over your head get off of the bike and walk. We have all done it and we will all do it again. Eventually you will have the skill to ride the more difficult sections, it just takes time.
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Originally Posted by LowCel
My biggest tip is that there is absolutely no shame in walking. If you feel that something is over your head get off of the bike and walk. We have all done it and we will all do it again. Eventually you will have the skill to ride the more difficult sections, it just takes time.
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Sometimes you have ridin' days and sometimes you have walkin' days.
No one has said the most basic of all mountain biking rules: "the bike goes where the eyes go".
Also something I am trying to improve my balance that a friend told me this weekend: Try riding in real small circles so your front wheel is almost perpendicular to the frame. This is suppose to help build better balance. Make sure you practice going both clockwise and counter-clockwise.
No one has said the most basic of all mountain biking rules: "the bike goes where the eyes go".
Also something I am trying to improve my balance that a friend told me this weekend: Try riding in real small circles so your front wheel is almost perpendicular to the frame. This is suppose to help build better balance. Make sure you practice going both clockwise and counter-clockwise.
#16
Throw the stick!!!!
Originally Posted by outdoorboy
Sometimes you have ridin' days and sometimes you have walkin' days.
No one has said the most basic of all mountain biking rules: "the bike goes where the eyes go".
Also something I am trying to improve my balance that a friend told me this weekend: Try riding in real small circles so your front wheel is almost perpendicular to the frame. This is suppose to help build better balance. Make sure you practice going both clockwise and counter-clockwise.
No one has said the most basic of all mountain biking rules: "the bike goes where the eyes go".
Also something I am trying to improve my balance that a friend told me this weekend: Try riding in real small circles so your front wheel is almost perpendicular to the frame. This is suppose to help build better balance. Make sure you practice going both clockwise and counter-clockwise.
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Don't look at the piece of dirt 2' in front of your tire. Look up the trail. About 10' up the trail. Your subconscious will remember what you see to avoid.
To elaborate what was said above. Look where you WANT to go, don't look where you don't want to go. Again, if you concentrate your vision on an obstacle, like a rock or a root, chances are you'll steer towards it subconsciously. Pick your best path, commit to it and you'll steer your path.
Keep your elbows and knees flexed. Use your body's own suspension.
Relax your grip on the handlebars. A "Death Grip" will tire (no pun intended) you out quickly. Grab tight enough to grip the bars, but not so tight that your forearms get pumped. A good way to avoid this is to keep two fingers on your brake lever.
Learn to bunnyhop without clipless pedals. Also when learning, place a board or a can or some object to jump over. You'll do better if you do. A good thing is a small piece of 2x4. You lay it down and hop it, then you get to the point where you balance it upright and hop it....etc.
Clean your bike! Cleaning all the much off keeps everything working properly and well lubed. Also, it gives you a chance to inspect for any damage or worn out parts.
Bring a friend. Introduce a friend to the sport and it'll reward you will a lot of riding buddies.
ALWAYS, ALWAYS wear a helmet.
To elaborate what was said above. Look where you WANT to go, don't look where you don't want to go. Again, if you concentrate your vision on an obstacle, like a rock or a root, chances are you'll steer towards it subconsciously. Pick your best path, commit to it and you'll steer your path.
Keep your elbows and knees flexed. Use your body's own suspension.
Relax your grip on the handlebars. A "Death Grip" will tire (no pun intended) you out quickly. Grab tight enough to grip the bars, but not so tight that your forearms get pumped. A good way to avoid this is to keep two fingers on your brake lever.
Learn to bunnyhop without clipless pedals. Also when learning, place a board or a can or some object to jump over. You'll do better if you do. A good thing is a small piece of 2x4. You lay it down and hop it, then you get to the point where you balance it upright and hop it....etc.
Clean your bike! Cleaning all the much off keeps everything working properly and well lubed. Also, it gives you a chance to inspect for any damage or worn out parts.
Bring a friend. Introduce a friend to the sport and it'll reward you will a lot of riding buddies.
ALWAYS, ALWAYS wear a helmet.
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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
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Originally Posted by a2psyklnut
Don't look at the piece of dirt 2' in front of your tire. Look up the trail. About 10' up the trail. Your subconscious will remember what you see to avoid.
To elaborate what was said above. Look where you WANT to go, don't look where you don't want to go. Again, if you concentrate your vision on an obstacle, like a rock or a root, chances are you'll steer towards it subconsciously. Pick your best path, commit to it and you'll steer your path.
Keep your elbows and knees flexed. Use your body's own suspension.
Relax your grip on the handlebars. A "Death Grip" will tire (no pun intended) you out quickly. Grab tight enough to grip the bars, but not so tight that your forearms get pumped. A good way to avoid this is to keep two fingers on your brake lever.
Learn to bunnyhop without clipless pedals. Also when learning, place a board or a can or some object to jump over. You'll do better if you do. A good thing is a small piece of 2x4. You lay it down and hop it, then you get to the point where you balance it upright and hop it....etc.
Clean your bike! Cleaning all the much off keeps everything working properly and well lubed. Also, it gives you a chance to inspect for any damage or worn out parts.
Bring a friend. Introduce a friend to the sport and it'll reward you will a lot of riding buddies.
ALWAYS, ALWAYS wear a helmet.
To elaborate what was said above. Look where you WANT to go, don't look where you don't want to go. Again, if you concentrate your vision on an obstacle, like a rock or a root, chances are you'll steer towards it subconsciously. Pick your best path, commit to it and you'll steer your path.
Keep your elbows and knees flexed. Use your body's own suspension.
Relax your grip on the handlebars. A "Death Grip" will tire (no pun intended) you out quickly. Grab tight enough to grip the bars, but not so tight that your forearms get pumped. A good way to avoid this is to keep two fingers on your brake lever.
Learn to bunnyhop without clipless pedals. Also when learning, place a board or a can or some object to jump over. You'll do better if you do. A good thing is a small piece of 2x4. You lay it down and hop it, then you get to the point where you balance it upright and hop it....etc.
Clean your bike! Cleaning all the much off keeps everything working properly and well lubed. Also, it gives you a chance to inspect for any damage or worn out parts.
Bring a friend. Introduce a friend to the sport and it'll reward you will a lot of riding buddies.
ALWAYS, ALWAYS wear a helmet.
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Originally Posted by Doh
I'm a beginner riding a 30lb Hardtail right now. I want to learn techniques like bunny hop,endoing, etc. Is it going to be EXTremely hard due to its weight?
That thing about body suspension... so useful, you wouldn't imagine how smooth drops and jumps become when you learn how to absorb the impact by flexing your body.
#20
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The 1st, and best piece of advice my kids got from an expert MTBer was to hop off & walk down the big hill in that particular race; it was thier 1st race. The younger one used to pass folks on the uphill, and hop off & walk down the hill until he was, like, 10. So sorry you missed that aspect, lowcel!!