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One thing you wish you had known as a rookie rider

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#42 ·
Ride for yourself and your own reasons.

Back yourself. Chances are you probably CAN make that climb/rockgarden/drop/tech section.

Don't pay too much attention to the opinions of others on bikes/parts/gear. As long as your bike fits correctly and you're enjoying the ride, then thats all that matters.

Learn as much as you can from others, but similar to above, learn from their actions rather than their stories.

Scrapes/blood/bruises are all part of the game!

As others have said, learn to wrench on your own bike. It'll save you huge amounts of coin, plus you'll have the ability to patch and go on the trail.
 
#44 ·
The bike will roll over a surprising amount of trail irregularities, as long as you keep it moving but don't otherwise disturb it too much.
 
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#45 ·
1) Tyre pressure and tyre choice.
2) Get your sitbones measured and you'll have a better chance of finding the right seat from day 1.
 
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#46 ·
doctadocta said:
Went for my 4th ride this morning using the following tips and they helped immensely!

1. Keeping eyes ahead on trail instead of on obstacles to avoid accidentally stealing into them.

2. Deflating my tires a little bit. Had them at max PSI of 60 and downed them all the way to 35 and it was an impressive difference.

3. Tilting the bike under me through turns instead of tilting my body with the bike.
Click to expand...
Yup. All true. Just figured out number 3 recently.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
 
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#47 ·
cbrock450 said:
Tire pressure plays a huge role on how your bike handles and feels, aka traction. So many people think the higher the tire pressure, the faster the bike rides. Someone finally told me the exact opposite and it is amazing how much better a bike handles and feels when you drop down into the low 30's instead of 40's. If you are running tubeless you can run even lower.

Noobs still continue to argue with me about this topic and believe 45 is the only way to ride.
NOPE!
Click to expand...
This, of course, is dependant on the weight of the rider. At 260 lbs, a pressure lower than 40 is bad mojo and a sure flat for me.
 
#48 ·
DudeNudem said:
This, of course, is dependant on the weight of the rider. At 260 lbs, a pressure lower than 40 is bad mojo and a sure flat for me.
Click to expand...
All depends on the tyre size too, im 200lb and have run 2.4 Racing Raplhs at 20psi with no problems except for tons of grip :D If i change these to a 2.25 i cant run any less than 30psi without squirming and dinging rims. The tyre volume goes a long way to help you reduce tyre pressure and gain grip, even on my race bike i run 2.4RR's now.
 
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#50 ·
Start on trails that you leave with a grin on your face and wanting more.

Full suspension bikes, just like hard tails or fully rigid bikes, can all be ridden on paved trails.

When in doubt, ride more and listen to others' bike hate less.
 
#51 ·
Lots of good 411 so far.
Here's one that has taken a few injuries to grasp.
No matter the size, always beware of wooden bridges when wet, or leaf covered.
Slippery as snot, the front wheel can wash-out so quickly your hands will never leave the grips.
They've caused me more injured down-time than all other trail features combined.:devil:
Wet off-angle roots, and algae-covered rocks are known to be tricky. Yet, until slammed hard, most do not realize just how slimy wood can get.
 
#52 ·
doctadocta said:
Hello everyone!

I am a new rider who just got my first real mountain bike and have just started experimenting with offroad trails and learning as I go from experience, my mountain biking friends, my LBS representatives, and these forums.

I decided to create a thread where people could post the one thing they wish that they had known when they were just starting out mountain biking.

I'll start off with that I wish I had known not to shift gears over extremely bumpy terrain and especially not while in a standing position applying force on the pedals.
Click to expand...
Things I wish I had caught onto sooner:
1- Light weight is over-rated. Yes, light is nice, but don't obsess over it.
2- Real riding shorts DO make a difference.

Much of everything else I can think of was just conventional wisdom at the time (late 90's) that has now changed, so a new rider is unlikely to make the mistakes I (and many others) did.
 
#53 ·
Flyin_W said:
Lots of good 411 so far.
Here's one that has taken a few injuries to grasp.
No matter the size, always beware of wooden bridges when wet, or leaf covered.
Slippery as snot, the front wheel can wash-out so quickly your hands will never leave the grips.
They've caused me more injured down-time than all other trail features combined.:devil:
Wet off-angle roots, and algae-covered rocks are known to be tricky. Yet, until slammed hard, most do not realize just how slimy wood can get.
Click to expand...
+1 on this. Ribs take a long time to heal.

Sent from my cm_tenderloin using Tapatalk 2
 
#54 ·
Flyin_W said:
No matter the size, always beware of wooden bridges when wet, or leaf covered.
Slippery as snot, the front wheel can wash-out so quickly your hands will never leave the grips.
They've caused me more injured down-time than all other trail features combined.:devil:
Wet off-angle roots, and algae-covered rocks are known to be tricky. Yet, until slammed hard, most do not realize just how slimy wood can get.
Click to expand...
This is the most useful thing on the internet. Heed these words.
 
Discussion starter · #56 ·
kapusta said:
Things I wish I had caught onto sooner:
1- Light weight is over-rated. Yes, light is nice, but don't obsess over it.
2- Real riding shorts DO make a difference.

Much of everything else I can think of was just conventional wisdom at the time (late 90's) that has now changed, so a new rider is unlikely to make the mistakes I (and many others) did.
Click to expand...
Yeah just ordered a pair of nice shorts, looking forward to them. Being 6'1" and only 145 lbs you can just imagine how unfriendly my hard saddle is on my bony butt.

Also loads of great info guys, thanks again for so many responses!
 
#58 ·
2nd year of racing almost done. Heres my 2 cents:

1. You dont have to breath as fast as you peddle. HA!! Had to spend my first month almost hyperventilating in 90 degree heat before I figured this out. Breath nice and easy, control your breathing even when going fast.

2. Speed helps you maneuver better. Going slower makes it harder, NOT easier.

3. Look ahead NOT down, always!

Ride on!!
 
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