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Do you want to be safer, smoother and with more fun on your bike? It doesn’t matter whether you’ve just started mountain biking or have been riding for a while: Technique training is always beneficial, you’ll increase your confidence, be able to ride more difficult trails and have more fun in the end. We’ll show you 1o useful tips from the riding technique school to help you take your MTB skills to the next level.
1. Basic position on the mountain bike
The so-called basic position is fundamental – for relaxation, overview and control. Your cranks are horizontal, your centre of gravity is in the middle above the bottom bracket, your arms are slightly bent, your legs are almost fully extended and support your weight. You look 1-3 seconds ahead into the trail. This position gives you maximum freedom of movement to react to obstacles and changes in terrain.
2. Active position for roots, steps, stones
From the basic position, you move into the so-called active position as soon as you approach obstacles – for example before a root passage or on a descent. This involves lowering your upper body, shifting your pelvis slightly backwards and bending your arms and legs more. Important: The handlebars remain unloaded and the centre of gravity is in the middle. This means you are ready to react and absorb impacts better. The higher the obstacle, the more you have to adjust. On a small step, for example, it is enough to bend your arms and legs slightly before rolling off. As the obstacles get bigger, you build up more body tension and lower your upper body more towards the bike. Important: Don’t tense up and work actively with your arms and legs ‘springing’. The active position is therefore by no means a fixed position, but should always be adapted to the obstacles, steepness and nature of the terrain. You should also avoid fully extending your arms and shifting your weight completely backwards. This will cause you to lose grip and control of the front wheel.
3. Line selection and eye tracking
Your gaze follows the trail. Always focus on where you want to go – not on obstacles. Find a line early on that you can ride in a controlled manner. If the terrain is unsafe: dismount, take a look, mentally select a line and ride. Riding with foresight is safe riding. You will also notice that you ride with less foresight at the start of a descent, for example, than after some time on the trail. Similar to a warm-up for your body, your brain also needs a little time to adjust to the new challenge (‘recognise obstacles and paths as quickly as possible’).
Line choice and eye tracking are particularly important, therefore always focus on where you want to go. Photo: Sport Conrad
4. Braking correctly on a mountain bike
Proper braking is the key to control. Use both brakes simultaneously and with feeling. Brake with just one finger – this way you keep a firm grip on the handlebars with the remaining fingers. When braking harder, shift your weight slightly backwards and downwards. This prevents rollovers and keeps the front wheel on track. Rule of thumb: Not too much at the front, not too suddenly at the rear. You can practise braking wonderfully by using sticks, for example, to create a braking zone at the end of which you come to a stop ‘silently’ and without dismounting.
5. MTB cornering technique
Cornering means leaning the bike, not steering. Your upper body remains stable and your centre of gravity is in the middle. If you actively lean the bike, you automatically create a steering angle. In addition, consciously look towards the end of the bend and then further onto the track after the bend. This will help you ride more smoothly and lose less speed. Many people recommend that the pedal on the outside of the bend should be down and the pedal on the inside of the bend up, as this provides grip. This is difficult to implement on fast, shorter bends. If in doubt, it is better to keep the pedals horizontal or only slightly inclined.
6. Uphill: Centre and calm
The following applies when riding uphill: keep the saddle up (except for technical passages, then lower it slightly), steady pedalling, steady upper body. On very steep sections, you can push yourself onto the tip of the saddle, turn your elbows slightly outwards and put some weight on the handlebars to prevent the front wheel from lifting off. Here too, your eyes scan the trail ahead. This allows you to avoid large obstacles with a clever choice of line.
7. Starting and descending on a mountain
It sounds simple, but it is often underestimated: the correct approach and descent on steep terrain needs to be practised. Starting off: Position the bike at a slight angle to the direction of travel, find a good gear (2nd or 3rd), position the crank on the downhill side parallel to the down tube. Then place your downhill foot on the pedal and pedal slowly and in a controlled manner. When descending, tilt your body to the uphill side and bring your foot to the ground in a controlled manner – with the brakes applied. The bike remains stable.
8. Ride slowly and balance
Riding slowly is harder than riding fast. With a little practice, you can train your balance at a standstill or at minimum speed – for example with the help of the pedal kick: this involves briefly pushing the front pedal forwards/downwards to build up momentum again for a new balance phase. Ideal for training coordination and bike control.
The correct approach and descent on steep terrain needs to be practised. It’s not as easy as you might think. Photo: Sport Conrad
9. Lifting the front wheel, bunny hops, moving the rear wheel, etc.
If you start improving your biking skills on the pump track or simply on the road in front of the house, for example, you will also have advantages off-road later on. There are countless bike manoeuvres that improve handling, motor skills and balance. The most important skills are lifting the front wheel, lifting and then moving the rear wheel and the bunny hop. Practice makes perfect, for example something for the winter when you miss your bike anyway.
10. Ride regularly and reflect
The more often you ride, the better you will become. Use even short everyday journeys for training – to work, to the shops or in your free time. Balancing in particular can be practised wonderfully at traffic lights. Technique training with a coach is also worthwhile; our experts at the GAP Pubride will be happy to give you tips.