7 Great Mountain Biking Tips for Beginners
Do you have a hobby you really love? Mountain biking is an amazing hobby. It combines getting fit, exploring, and spending time in nature with incredibly exciting elements of action and speed.
But if you’re newer to something, it can be intimidating jumping in. That’s why we’re here with our mountain biking tips for beginners. Here’s everything you need to know to get started!
Mountain Biking Tips for Beginners
1. Get Your Bike Set Up Correctly
Mountain biking can be an exciting outdoor activity, but it can also be quite challenging, especially for beginners. When you’re still learning to mountain bike, it’s important to make sure that your bike is set up correctly. Below are two settings you should always consider when preparing your bike.
Suspension
When it comes to mountain biking, suspension is key. As a beginner, there are several great tips to keep in mind when considering the suspension of your bike. First, be sure to keep your suspension settings consistent and check them often for wear and tear.
Also, make sure to properly adjust your suspension settings for the terrain of your ride. Since cheap oil can be less effective and erode the suspension more quickly, with proper attention to your bike’s suspension, you can feel the bumps in the road without the pain and make your mountain biking even more enjoyable.
Seat Height
Seat height is also an important element to consider if you want to learn how to mountain bike. The seat should be set at a height that allows for a slight bend at the leg when the pedal is at its lowest position. This will ensure a rider’s hips are in a comfortable position.
This won’t cause pain to their hamstrings or strain on the back or knee joint. The seat should also be checked regularly as the rider increases their experience and adjusts to the terrain they are riding as they may need to make slight adjustments to the seat height to ensure their riding posture is aligned correctly. To find the correct position, get a friend to help lift the seat while you pedal until the correct position is achieved.
2. Keep Your Body Loose & Springy
One of the most important tips for new mountain bikers is to keep your body loose and springy. This means keeping your body relaxed and moving with the bike’s motions. To do this, make sure to bend your elbows and knees when riding to absorb shock and remain comfortable.
Also, make sure that you keep your shoulders and elbows loose so that you can shift your weight quickly and easily. This will help you navigate bumpy terrain and prevent fatigue. Finally, use your core to keep yourself stable and centered.
Engaging your core can help you stay upright and maintain a level of comfort while socializing. When you keep your body loose and springy, you’re sure to get the most out of your ride!
3. Maintain Momentum
When mountain biking, momentum has to be your friend. Beginner mountain bikers should focus on keeping a smooth and consistent pace on downhill sections and only use their brakes when they absolutely have to. The less you brake, the more momentum you’ll build and the faster you’ll get.
As you practice, you’ll become more familiar with how to judge the speed and terrain and which corners you can safely take without breaking. As an added bonus, keeping the momentum up will also make uphill sections a lot easier. When going uphill, avoid shifting down to a lower gear and just keep a steady pace.
This allows you to easily carry your speed through the corners and helps to save energy. It’s important to practice maintaining momentum before you purchase your own bike. With that said, you can click for mountain bike rentals here to help you get some practice!
4. Shift Early & Shift Often
For novice mountain bikers, one of the most integral pieces of advice is to shift early and shift often. When shifting gears, cyclists should aim to move up or down as needed to maintain a steady, balanced cadence. Depending on the terrain, this could mean shifting several times in a single mile or transitioning between several gears in a single stretch.
When approaching a steep incline or downhill, for example, it may be necessary to move to a lower/higher gear before actually hitting the hill. The same applies to flat terrain and other gradients. Listening to the bike and shifting as needed can help beginner mountain bikers keep up the pace, maintain balance, minimize fatigue, and let the bike do more of the work.
5. Look Where You Want to Go
Another important tip for beginners when it comes to mountain biking is to look where you want to go. This simple yet essential tip encompasses the idea that your body will naturally follow your eyes.
When you are mountain biking, try to keep your focus on the challenge at hand rather than where you don’t want to go. Train yourself to have a forward focus on the path ahead, anticipating turns and obstacles that may lay ahead rather than fixating on the rocky terrain beneath you.
6. Ride With People Who Are Better Than You
A great mountain biking tip for beginners would be to ride with people who are better than you. Experienced riders can offer advice on how to navigate the trails and demonstrate proper form.
By following their lead, you can pick up important skills that will make your rides much easier. You can also reduce the risk of injury by watching and learning from other people as they navigate difficult terrain.
7. Learn How to Track Stand
Track standing is when you balance your bike on the rear wheel while your pedals are still going. It allows you to stay in one spot without having to constantly pedal to stay upright or put your feet on the ground. To track stand, start by pushing off with your back foot and maintaining a balance with your front brake.
Learn More Mountain Biking Tips Today
Mountain biking can be daunting for inexperienced riders. However, these tips have demonstrated the basics needed to be successful. As one’s confidence increases, so does their skill level.
With more practice and consistency, mountain biking can be a lifelong activity of adventure and excitement. Now venture out and follow these mountain biking tips and enjoy the ride!
Did you find this article helpful? Check out the rest of our blogs for more informative content.
