Newbie to Mountain biking
Discussion
Morning all, not sure this really justified a new thread but wasn't sure where to post it.
I've got a couple of bikes, one road and one full sus MTB. Being honest the mountain bike has never really interested me, and I've predominantly used the road bike to get some miles in, or went out for a run if just looking to get some exercise.
Too many close calls being overtaken on country roads has led me to getting out on the MTB and I'm really enjoying it. So much so I've signed up for an all day 'Intro to Singletrack' type day with a local club.
I'm not sure what i would class my riding as there seems to be so many categories, enduro, trail, gravel etc. I spend most my time on forest tracks and fire trails, tree roots, some steep rocky sections but really nothing technical, yet.
Any hints or tips for a newbie? Any essential kit I should be looking to get? Quite happy to do a bit of bike maintenance myself but really not sure where to start
I have ordered that PlanetX bike stand and tool set which seemed a bargain. Lubes? Tools?
Gratuitous pic!
I've got a couple of bikes, one road and one full sus MTB. Being honest the mountain bike has never really interested me, and I've predominantly used the road bike to get some miles in, or went out for a run if just looking to get some exercise.
Too many close calls being overtaken on country roads has led me to getting out on the MTB and I'm really enjoying it. So much so I've signed up for an all day 'Intro to Singletrack' type day with a local club.
I'm not sure what i would class my riding as there seems to be so many categories, enduro, trail, gravel etc. I spend most my time on forest tracks and fire trails, tree roots, some steep rocky sections but really nothing technical, yet.
Any hints or tips for a newbie? Any essential kit I should be looking to get? Quite happy to do a bit of bike maintenance myself but really not sure where to start
I have ordered that PlanetX bike stand and tool set which seemed a bargain. Lubes? Tools? Gratuitous pic!
Enjoy! (Its much more fun getting muddy
)
Dont worry about categorising it - its just mountain biking. Youl'll pick up the differences in time.
As for kit - the main things I would say are to
A) Make sure you are running tubeles, and thus running appropriate tyre pressures
B) make sure you learn how to correctly maintain and setup your suspension for your weight, and riding requirements.
Parktools, Pinkbike, youtube are all good sources. I cant quite see what you have but Fox, Rockshox and the rest will all have detailed info, guides, videos etc to help with suspension setup and maintenance.
)Dont worry about categorising it - its just mountain biking. Youl'll pick up the differences in time.
As for kit - the main things I would say are to
A) Make sure you are running tubeles, and thus running appropriate tyre pressures
B) make sure you learn how to correctly maintain and setup your suspension for your weight, and riding requirements.
Parktools, Pinkbike, youtube are all good sources. I cant quite see what you have but Fox, Rockshox and the rest will all have detailed info, guides, videos etc to help with suspension setup and maintenance.
For tools I suggest a decent set of Allen keys and a decent set of Torx keys. Don't get cheap ones as they will round off and damage your bolts. A torque wrench is a good idea too. 2-20Nm is a good place to start for most of the bolts on your bike (except probably cranks and bottom bracket. Tyre levers (plastic).
Just get other tools as and when you need them.
BB tool (various different standards)
Chain whip
Cassette removal tool
Chain splitter
Quick link pliers
Bleed kits for brakes
Bigger torque wrench crank and BB
Bumping hammer
Bearing puller / installer
Just get other tools as and when you need them.
BB tool (various different standards)
Chain whip
Cassette removal tool
Chain splitter
Quick link pliers
Bleed kits for brakes
Bigger torque wrench crank and BB
Bumping hammer
Bearing puller / installer
Looking at your bike I'd suggest a dropper seat post as an essential.
Get some coaching and take notice of the bits where they mention "heels down" a lot as that's the new style and loads better than "lean so far back the steering goes vague" that I was originally taught.
Practice manuals
Get some coaching and take notice of the bits where they mention "heels down" a lot as that's the new style and loads better than "lean so far back the steering goes vague" that I was originally taught.
Practice manuals
As above about allen keys, buy the best quality you can get. Highly recommend Park Tools stuff especially their folding allen keys, both an AWS10 and AWS11 should be in every cyclists tool kit IMO. Can of GT85 and some dry lube should be on your shopping list if you don't already have any. I don't bother with wet lube, just makes a mess and Muc-Off dry seems to work all year round.
If you're not already tubeless go tubeless and use either Stans or the most up to date Peaty's sealant, don't bother with anything else. I can also highly recommend Rimpact tyre inserts which allow you to run silly low pressures for mega grip.
Absolutely buy a dropper post, they're a complete game changer and I couldn't ride without one now. I run OneUp and PNW droppers but Brand-X are solid and reliable if you don't want to get too spendy.
As for kit, helmet, gloves and knee pads are all you need IMO along with a quality pair of shorts. Also look into getting some proper cycling glasses with interchangeable lenses. Keeps the sun, mud and wind out of your eyes and with the right lenses stops that annoying dappled light between trees whilst also not making it too dark.
As you progress and ride increasingly more technical stuff you'll start to find the point where riding becomes a bit of mental battle. I say to everyone who's starting out riding that riding certain stuff and riding it quick is as much a head game as it is skill. See so many people stack it because they panic and either freeze up and dead sailor and/or grab the brakes when they'd be better off rolling out of stuff. Keep clam and keep off the brakes, loosey goosey!
If you stick at it and get more and more into it be prepared for your wallet to take a hit. It can very quickly turn into a very expensive hobby! Mainly though just get out and ride, best hobby in the world IMO and I'm yet to meet a mountain biker who isn't sound AF!
If you're not already tubeless go tubeless and use either Stans or the most up to date Peaty's sealant, don't bother with anything else. I can also highly recommend Rimpact tyre inserts which allow you to run silly low pressures for mega grip.
Absolutely buy a dropper post, they're a complete game changer and I couldn't ride without one now. I run OneUp and PNW droppers but Brand-X are solid and reliable if you don't want to get too spendy.
As for kit, helmet, gloves and knee pads are all you need IMO along with a quality pair of shorts. Also look into getting some proper cycling glasses with interchangeable lenses. Keeps the sun, mud and wind out of your eyes and with the right lenses stops that annoying dappled light between trees whilst also not making it too dark.
As you progress and ride increasingly more technical stuff you'll start to find the point where riding becomes a bit of mental battle. I say to everyone who's starting out riding that riding certain stuff and riding it quick is as much a head game as it is skill. See so many people stack it because they panic and either freeze up and dead sailor and/or grab the brakes when they'd be better off rolling out of stuff. Keep clam and keep off the brakes, loosey goosey!
If you stick at it and get more and more into it be prepared for your wallet to take a hit. It can very quickly turn into a very expensive hobby! Mainly though just get out and ride, best hobby in the world IMO and I'm yet to meet a mountain biker who isn't sound AF!
Edited by bobbo89 on Saturday 9th July 10:55
Thanks. It's a Jamis Dakar I've got, bought through the C2W scheme. I've done a few hours this week and really enjoyed it.
Definitely need to practice more and get the confidence up a bit on the more technical stuff. I'll look into a dropper post also.
And as for expensive, all hobbies are like that! Once the upgrade itch hits there is no stopping it!
What do people tend to carry with them on a ride?
Definitely need to practice more and get the confidence up a bit on the more technical stuff. I'll look into a dropper post also.
And as for expensive, all hobbies are like that! Once the upgrade itch hits there is no stopping it!
What do people tend to carry with them on a ride?
justin220 said:
Thanks. It's a Jamis Dakar I've got, bought through the C2W scheme. I've done a few hours this week and really enjoyed it.
Definitely need to practice more and get the confidence up a bit on the more technical stuff. I'll look into a dropper post also.
And as for expensive, all hobbies are like that! Once the upgrade itch hits there is no stopping it!
What do people tend to carry with them on a ride?
Water.Definitely need to practice more and get the confidence up a bit on the more technical stuff. I'll look into a dropper post also.
And as for expensive, all hobbies are like that! Once the upgrade itch hits there is no stopping it!
What do people tend to carry with them on a ride?
an EDC Tool in my stem.
2 x co2
Personally I hate carrying anything on me, especially hate having a backpack on and so I only carry essentials which are all incorporated into my bikes.
All my bikes have a OneUp EDC Lite tool in the steerer which is a really neat bit of kit and means I've always got a little multi-tool on me, relatively cheap and a piece of piss to fit too. I also run a Giant Clutch Core fork storage thingy which stashes a Co2 inflator in the bottom of my steerer tube. I then have Granite Stash tyre kits in my handlebars which is just a little tool for stuffing bacon strips into tyres.
I tend to only take water with me on really long rides or when it's super hot for which I have a Peaty's Fidlock water bottle.
Other than that it's just phone in one pocket, house key and maybe a flapjack in the other if i'm out on a long one.
Main thing I'd say is always have a multi-tool on you
All my bikes have a OneUp EDC Lite tool in the steerer which is a really neat bit of kit and means I've always got a little multi-tool on me, relatively cheap and a piece of piss to fit too. I also run a Giant Clutch Core fork storage thingy which stashes a Co2 inflator in the bottom of my steerer tube. I then have Granite Stash tyre kits in my handlebars which is just a little tool for stuffing bacon strips into tyres.
I tend to only take water with me on really long rides or when it's super hot for which I have a Peaty's Fidlock water bottle.
Other than that it's just phone in one pocket, house key and maybe a flapjack in the other if i'm out on a long one.
Main thing I'd say is always have a multi-tool on you
Been MTB’ing for nearly 30yrs, don’t run tubeless & always carry a spare tube, repair kit, mini pump & plastic tyre levers.
Never seen the need for knee guards, good fitting helmet & maybe some padded mitts/gloves, decent shorts are pretty much essential!
Get out, let the bike do the work & you’ll develop confidence, ride with others & learn from them.
It’s great fun, I have a road bike but it bores me sh**less TBH.
Never seen the need for knee guards, good fitting helmet & maybe some padded mitts/gloves, decent shorts are pretty much essential!
Get out, let the bike do the work & you’ll develop confidence, ride with others & learn from them.
It’s great fun, I have a road bike but it bores me sh**less TBH.
If you paln on using a roof rack then the Volvo ones on ebay are the same as Thule but volvo branding but £90 v £120.
I find with tech stuff that the difficulty level ramps up exponentially. Personally I can do Cwmcarn and reds at most forestry commission places easily enough. Take me to the steep triscombe tracks or the FC downhill tracks and there's no way I would get down them.
I find with tech stuff that the difficulty level ramps up exponentially. Personally I can do Cwmcarn and reds at most forestry commission places easily enough. Take me to the steep triscombe tracks or the FC downhill tracks and there's no way I would get down them.
Road bike is great for building strength, my climbing improved loads after just a few hundred miles on the road bike, a lot less maintenance on road bike too so it's easier to get more miles on but any longer rides I stick to off-road - close and dangerous passes are way too frequent on road.
Tubeless is great - if you do the setup yourself use new tyres (I spent hours messing about with worn tyres and they just wouldn't seat well enough to get a tight seal. You do need to top it up maybe every 6 months but it's pretty easy to do. Not had a single puncture since doing it. Lot of people say to use super low pressures but I mostly do long xc rides and firmer is definitely feels more efficient to me (23/25ish psi)
Dropper post takes some getting used to - my thighs especially weren't used to squatting on longer downhills.
It's not only about getting further back but being able to better move the bike around under you - think about weighting your tyres for optimum grip - generally you want to be more upright than the bike to get the sides of the tyre to dig in.
Strava and cycling computer - planning longer routes and competing to improve your leaderboard times, the visible progress is pretty motivating to me.
Brakes - front brake has the most power, use it in straight lines to scrub a lot of speed off. It will impact handling, make the bike straighten/sit up a bit and make your fork compress more. Rear brake is fine control, you can use it to maintain or scrub a bit of speed off through corners. Use your front to get to a good entry speed and rear to control speed. Easiest to figure this out is long fast straight descents and focus on how each one effects handling.
Tubeless is great - if you do the setup yourself use new tyres (I spent hours messing about with worn tyres and they just wouldn't seat well enough to get a tight seal. You do need to top it up maybe every 6 months but it's pretty easy to do. Not had a single puncture since doing it. Lot of people say to use super low pressures but I mostly do long xc rides and firmer is definitely feels more efficient to me (23/25ish psi)
Dropper post takes some getting used to - my thighs especially weren't used to squatting on longer downhills.
It's not only about getting further back but being able to better move the bike around under you - think about weighting your tyres for optimum grip - generally you want to be more upright than the bike to get the sides of the tyre to dig in.
Strava and cycling computer - planning longer routes and competing to improve your leaderboard times, the visible progress is pretty motivating to me.
Brakes - front brake has the most power, use it in straight lines to scrub a lot of speed off. It will impact handling, make the bike straighten/sit up a bit and make your fork compress more. Rear brake is fine control, you can use it to maintain or scrub a bit of speed off through corners. Use your front to get to a good entry speed and rear to control speed. Easiest to figure this out is long fast straight descents and focus on how each one effects handling.
justin220 said:
Thanks. It's a Jamis Dakar I've got, bought through the C2W scheme. I've done a few hours this week and really enjoyed it.
Definitely need to practice more and get the confidence up a bit on the more technical stuff. I'll look into a dropper post also.
And as for expensive, all hobbies are like that! Once the upgrade itch hits there is no stopping it!
What do people tend to carry with them on a ride?
Depends on the length of ride and whether it's an 'epic' or just short laps where I'm not too far from the car...but generally:Definitely need to practice more and get the confidence up a bit on the more technical stuff. I'll look into a dropper post also.
And as for expensive, all hobbies are like that! Once the upgrade itch hits there is no stopping it!
What do people tend to carry with them on a ride?
Short local ride:
- Spare tube, tyre levers strapped to the frame (I'm tubeless so almost never puncture)
- Multitool with chain breaker - chain links taped to brake hose
- Water bottle on frame
- Pump on frame
- Co2 canisters and adaptor
- Tubeless repair tool
All day epic, all the above plus:
- Zip ties
- Spare tubeless valves
- Mech hanger
- Tyre boots/patches
- Packable jacket
- Warm gloves
All depends where you ride, how long you ride for, who you ride with and the weather. I generally never use a pack, but if I do it's only a small hip pack. I can stash everything either on the bike or in pockets.
Thanks again all for the input, just as a bit of an update I had almost a full day out on Sunday with what ended up being a bit of one to one coaching, around the local trails. I had signed up for a day of 'intro to singletracking' and thoroughly enjoyed it, even more so that I was the only one there.
It was a planned 6 hour day but including a couple of stops for either lunch/snack and tips/guidance it ended up being about 4 hours in the saddle.
Must say, I have a new appreciation on how physically demanding going 'downhill' is! It was great fun, but the mental concentration required, and grip/stance were way above what I expected. The route was a fair mix of fire track, climbing, singletrack through ruts and a bit of technical downhill type stuff. Some of it was too technical for me but has given me plenty to work on. I also think a dropper post will be on the cards at some point, along with some better pedals. I found my shoes were loosing grip too often. I had one minor off, and one puncture so certainly a day that had everything !
Great fun though
It was a planned 6 hour day but including a couple of stops for either lunch/snack and tips/guidance it ended up being about 4 hours in the saddle.
Must say, I have a new appreciation on how physically demanding going 'downhill' is! It was great fun, but the mental concentration required, and grip/stance were way above what I expected. The route was a fair mix of fire track, climbing, singletrack through ruts and a bit of technical downhill type stuff. Some of it was too technical for me but has given me plenty to work on. I also think a dropper post will be on the cards at some point, along with some better pedals. I found my shoes were loosing grip too often. I had one minor off, and one puncture so certainly a day that had everything !
Great fun though
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff