So this season i decided i wanted to try cx, and built up an entry level bike. I have started to practice dismounts and remounts, shouldering, ect. and have been reading up on techniques. Some people say it is better to do the step-through method as it is faster. Others say to use the shuffle step method as there is less of a chance of messing up and going down hard. Which one is better?

I have tried both and have twice went down practicing the step through method, I just feel that it is really awkward (for me at least). So should i just stick to the shuffle step method even if it is slower because i feel more comfortable with it?

stick to what works for you. I don't do the step through personally.

Does not matter. In fact, I think most pro's are doing the so called shuffle method. Either way, I find that weighting my hand on the top tube is the most important part of my dismount. Makes it easy for that left foot to release. Go with what feels good.

Watch this video and count how many riders step through:
https://www.cyclocrossvideos.com/cx/m...s_slow-mo.html

Well that pretty much answered my question, thanks.

Falling down is always slower.

I was talking with some other racers at practice this past tuesday about bunny hopping barriers and the way they put it works pretty well for anything in cross. If it works 9 times out of 10 it's still not good enough to do in a race. You gotta remember that 30 minutes into a race you're pretty gassed and any little thing that may have tripped you up just practicing is going to become an issue at that point in the race.

+1 to this. i initially tried the step-thru for the higher speed dismounts, but have since abandoned that method for the one mentioned above.

I'm one for the step through. I just got used to it, don't think its any better or worse. Either way that hand on the top tube is key. I was having a hell of a time dismounting with either method until I came to that realization.