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Some Advice
(1 vote)
Mountain Bike General Posts - Latest News
Written by kuzkoo   
Saturday, 19 January 2008

I have just gotten a new bike. It is a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR 2007. I can ride a bike but I am not the full of skills and I would love nothing more than to learn.

 

I have been doing a lot of research, reading books about skills and watching dvds and I know practice is also very important. I am determined to improve my skills and am sure many of you would say it would have been better to start out first on a hardtail before upgrading to an FS. But am sure if one is determined, one can learn all the skills necessary to become a good rider.

 

Now i am not trying to become a professional racer nor do i think my skills can evolve over night. But i do know there are skills workshops for beginners and I would like to get opinions about the various workshops available. Am sure you would agree its always good to get many opinions on things. Thanks a million guys and girls for your help on this one and i'll keep you posted on how things are advancing.

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stumpy_dan said:

63
 ...
Firstly,

Beautiful trail bike!smilies/wink.gif. You can do loads with this and it will be forgiving whilst you learn.

This is a great post and I have featured it as it so common to users coming to the site with the same question and skills and moving our game forward is fundamentally what we are about.

There are great skills courses you can go on and check out the skills area of the "cool links" section. I personally recommend cycle active in the Lakes (ask for Chris) and also www.mountainadventure.biz (again ask for Chris.. a different one..smilies/wink.gif and mention the site and me). But there are lots so check around for the right one for you.

DVD's books, sites like this and workshops can all help and practice is key even if you are practicing bunny hops off or up a curb at home but the best way to learn in my personal opinion is to hook up with other riders and particularly a local club which you can find via your local mtb shop or the internet (some again listed in cool links section). PM me where you live specifically in London and I will help point you in the right direction.

Also as you are London based keep your eyes peeled for the soon iBikeRide meet in March (southern contingent) most likely at Swinley Forest.

Lastly when you are on a trail and you struggle with a piece of track. Talk it through with mates, watch others ride it then session it over and over again. If you don't get it..don't worry and welcome to biking just come back again relentlessly until you do because you will and it is great.

Good luck and enjoy. I'm sure you will get lots of advice here.





 
January 19, 2008
Votes: +0

mattcooper75 said:

479
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Hi i too am new to this, i opted for a hard tail purely because of my budget and thought it better to get a mid range haard tail rather than bottom end full susser. i agree with dan get out on the trails i joined my local club and they are always doing begginer rides so just met them and explained that i had never done anything like it before they helped me set my bike up before we started gave me the basic tips for riding and off we went, at each section they would stop explain to me the terrain things to look out for and made me feel really supported. second trip out was cwm carn which i have been told by others on this site was good going. I think there is nothing better than experiance and advise from those that know best.

Hope you enjoy it asmuch as i am.

whilst i am here i guess i should say many thanks to the members of Bristol Mountain Bike Club looking forward to our next trip out.
 
January 19, 2008
Votes: +0

bifford said:

538
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Welcome to the best sport/recreation there is. The most important lesson is to enjoy yourself and learn to ride at the edge (but not past) your comfort level, I think. You've chosen a great bike, and it will do just about anything you ask, short of Freeride or Downhill riding. A couple of tips from my personal experience, for what it's worth:
1. Full-suspension is forgiving, easy on the body and confidence-inspiring - as long as you set it up right. Get a shock pump, take a day, and play with your shock pressures and settings on some basic terrain. Check Spesh's site for videos on set-up and then play with it a bit to get the feel for how the adjustments affect the feel.
2. Ride with good riders who don't mind pacing themselves and helping you. You learn a lot more by doing and watching than anything else.
3. Learn to let your bike do the work. Relax and let it roll. Carry some speed and momentum and watch yor bike carry you through things you wouldn't believe you could ride.
4. Find time to ride. Often. A short ride is better than no ride. Once you know your bike well, you can do so much more.
Okay, that's it. Congrats on your purchase, and to steal a line from Nike: Just Do It.
 
January 24, 2008
Votes: +0

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