new mountain biker

shannonewallace

i am new to mountain biking and looking for some tips and advice. i ride my mountain bike mostly on bike trails at this point, and an average ride for me is only about 6 miles. i think im ready to move onto something a little more challanging but im not sure where to start!

henney16

I just got back into biking and purchased a mountain bike over Memorial Day weekend. I am the same as you, mostly just on paths and streets right now, and so far thats pretty much all I am doing. I just usually up the distance and make my rides longer when time permits. Yesterday I did 12 miles just around town on roads and sidewalks. Eventually I'll begin to look for trails, but ones geared towards beginners. I just googled bike trails in my area to find out where stuff is. Good luck, have fun!

-Dave

Flyntiggr

Im pretty new at it as well. I have great friends to ride with, so that helps. Advice? Take lots of water. MTB is crazy workout. Oh, and you will fall. Period. It is just a matter of when (see profile picture for proof! ). Use your gears - don't be afraid to shift. Make sure you downshift before hills, or you'll end up walking up them. Pedal through the roots, and stand up a little off your seat on downhills with bumps. Make sure your pedals are in the middle when going over bumps and stuff, or you'll whack one and might wreck.

When you are ready, get clip less pedals. They aren't as hard as you think, but really help transfer power, especially in hilly sections... Good luck! It is fun once you get over being nervous! Oh, and keep your arms and shoulders loose!

shannonewallace

i think that's what ill do, just start using the internet to find some trails and levels of difficuly so maybe i can work up to a full run! i didnt even really think about falling LOL so thats a good point, get the right gear (helmet). i guess i should just go out and have fun, we all have to start someplace. :happy:

Flyntiggr

i think that's what ill do, just start using the internet to find some trails and levels of difficuly so maybe i can work up to a full run! i didnt even really think about falling LOL so thats a good point, get the right gear (helmet). i guess i should just go out and have fun, we all have to start someplace. :happy:

YES! Get a helmet for sure! Gloves are a good choice too. Those are pretty important. Some people were more gear, but unless you are flying through the course, which I am not, you won't hit 'really' hard.

MikeInAZ

Hey There..

I started riding in January and LOVE it. I go out whenever I can. I'm fortunate, here in Phoenix, I have a lot of trails close by to choose from. Of course, now that's it's over 100 degrees, I have to start at 6am...

Here's my tips:

Helmet: YES
Gloves: YES
Thick Padded (gel) shorts: YES
Platform Pedals with metal nobbles (not clipless, you're not ready for those yet): YES

You need a bike with at least front shocks. I was riding an 11 year old Motobecane Hybrid bike. I said that if I rode it 10 times and I still liked it, I would get a new bike. On my 11th ride, I got a used Giant VT1 on Craigslist. It's a full suspension with disc brakes, 27 speed. It's pretty light (compared to the Motobecane). I absolutely love that bike. I've spent about $200 on repairs/upgrades/tune ups, but it's worth it. Expect to spend about $600-800 on a decent bike (used), new about $1500.

Go into your local bike shop (or 2 or 3) and ask what trails are good for beginners. See if they know anyone who will take you riding who is experienced. REI is a good place too, they have quality bikes and parts.

Shift into lower gears before you start up the hill, if you wait to shift while you're on it you're too late.

Take it slow and easy, don't try and keep up with anyone. Biking is a personal sport, not team, so it's you against you. If you push yourself too much, before you're skilled, you will wipe out and it hurts! Don't worry about clipless pedals yet. Ride for a season and get good before you go that route.

Get at least a 1Liter water pack. Drink as much as you can while you ride. Bring a sugary snack like dried fruit, if you feel low, eat some for a quick boost of energy.

Most of my rides are about 8-12 miles and it takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Mountain Biking is great exercise, fun, and exciting.

Use the Internet to find trails by you. Ask Bike Shops. Find a biking Buddy, it makes it more fun. If anything post an ad on Craigslist, looking for someone to ride with. Someone will say HEY!!

Good luck, let me know how you do. Welcome to the wild world of Mountain Biking

shannonewallace

the shifting tips are most helpfull thank you! right now i have an orange moongoose, ill have to get a pic up, just got it tuned up and ready to go again after a few years of not riding and so far so good! ill have to get a really nice set of gloves and helmet for sure, and then im just going to go for it!! ill have to keep everyone posted on how it goes! :glasses:

MikeInAZ

Don't go blowing your money on expensive stuff. Walmart, get the "GEL" gloves ($15). They also have a nice helmet with an adjustment in the back to tighten the strap, it's $20.

I would look online and get a GEL padded set of shorts though, or go to REI, expect to spend about $50+ on those. But get Gel, instead of padding, they're better.

DO NOT ride again until you have a helmet, you are taking your life in your hands without it!

shannonewallace

awesome, thanks for the great advice, i know what ill be doing this weekend