Best Beginner mountain bike tips

As a new rider, there is lots to learn and you may not know where to start. If you are having trouble getting into the sport, I suggest you check out my blog post on beginner mountain bike obstacles. If you are just looking for some beginner mountain bike tips to improve your riding you are in the right place. In this post I will cover some important tips that will help any new rider and even some experienced riders in getting the most out of mountain biking.

Using your body

One of the common mistakes I see with riders is they don’t use their body enough. A mountain bike can only do so much and riders who rely too much on their bike to do the work are missing out. It is important to learn how to use your body as this will greatly improve your progression and mountain bike skills. Some important things to consider when it comes to using your body is staying out of your seat so you can move, shifting your bodyweight to react with the trail and staying relaxed. If you keep this in mind when riding, you will naturally begin to more effectively use your body over time and be a much better rider because of it. Here is a video with more detail if needed

Try New Things

This is helpful for both beginners and experienced riders. Trying new things is a great way to test yourself and grow your skills. This could mean trying a new trail, a new type of riding, or a new skill. When trying new things, they don’t even necessarily need to be difficult. The more things you try the more you will learn and adjust. This will build on your current skills and potentially lead to new ones which will help you grow as a rider. Too much of the same thing can lead to less or slower progression so it is important to change things up in order to progress.

Take Care of your Bike

This tip should not be overlooked, especially if you spent good money on your bike and plan to use it for a long time. While mountain bikes are tough, improper care of your bike can lead to many unwanted problems. It is important to take proper care of you bike such as keeping it clean, making sure nothing is loose, and keeping the chain lubed. It is important to get regular maintenance on your bike especially on expensive suspension. If you are unsure, talk with your local bike shop as they will be your best guide here. Here is a video from GMBN with more detail, if you want to learn your own maintenance they are a great resource.

Get out as much as you can

The most effective way to learn and get better, is to go out mountain biking. The more chances you have to practice your skills, the better you will get. Mountain biking is all about constant learning and progression. Everyone progresses at their own pace and has their own goals, but the more you get out the closer to those goals you will get.

With that being said, go ride your bike!