5 mistakes new mountain bikers should avoid

Mountain biking is a stimulating, exciting and healthy hobby if you have the level to enjoy it to the fullest. However, there are a few pitfalls that many face when starting out. Here are some of the most common errors and tips for fixing them.

Don't look far ahead

The first mistake of a beginner is to look at the front wheel or directly in front of it. If we were on a road bike it might be okay (whatever…) but on a mountain bike every obstacle that comes in front of your tire is a surprise and you don't have time to anticipate what could lead to a fall! "Wherever you look, your bike will follow you." If your eyes stop at an obstacle you want to avoid, like a rock, and the more you look at it, the more often you will aim for it! The trick is to ignore the boulder and focus on the original path you wanted to take around it.

SOLUTION : If possible, look ahead at a distance of at least 10 meters, this will give you time to make the right decisions about the course you will follow. Ignore most of the obstacles to get around them better. Focus on the path you need to go because that is where you need to go.

Choose the wrong design

When it comes to shifting gears, it's all about anticipation. As you approach climbs or obstacles, expect to change the front or gear so that you have time to move on to the appropriate development. One of the biggest mistakes newbies make is developing too hard and therefore too slow.

This poses several problems: first, it takes a lot of effort (and heavy on the knees) to keep pace on any type of terrain other than perfectly flat or high speed. You have neither the skill nor the strength to maintain a slow motion. pace / low speed under non-ideal circumstances.

In addition to the time you realize that you are pedaling too hard, it is often too late: a slight rise is enough to lose all of your momentum and balance. A common mistake is wanting to completely replace the gear: does this cause crackling and friction? The motorcycle just hates you.

SOLUTION : A good cadence is 80 to 90 rpm. Find the right chainring to sprocket ratio to stay consistently at that pace regardless of terrain. Gear shifting should be done without significant pedal effort and the chain should remain as straight as possible to optimize friction and not damage it. Intersections such as small chainring-small gear or large chainring-large gear should be avoided.

Overly inflated tires

Over-inflated tires roll faster (perhaps?), But impair traction, cornering and braking.

Traction is extremely important in mountain biking and is the result of the tire's ability to deform on different surfaces. Too much air pressure prevents this.

SOLUTION : Check your tire pressures before every ride. Pressure varies by tire type and terrain type, feel free to ask more experienced mountain bikers in your area. Typically we go from 1.8 to 2.1 bar.

The right bike?

Have you bought the right exercise bike you want to do? Is your mountain bike the right bike for your body type? There is nothing worse than riding a mountain bike with a bike that is unsuitable, too heavy, too big, tires too thin or too wide ... it's like trying to open a beer with pliers. Laundry, it is doable, but it may not be very efficient.

SOLUTION : Talk to your bike dealer, people you know, search the net, do a quick posture survey, ask yourself the right questions about your type of future practice.

Also see our article to find the right size for your bike.

Eat well and drink well

Mountain biking takes a lot of energy. Failure to fuel your body before or during a hike can lead to an accident; One of the worst cycling experiences. This also happens when you are dehydrated.

SOLUTION : Eat well before you start, eat a healthy diet. Always carry water with you, preferably in a Camelbak hydration as it is easy to drink while riding. Take some food with you: a banana, a piece of fruit cake, a granola bar, or some energy bars or gels that are easily absorbed by the body.