Mountain bike riding technique tips

MTB equipment & material science

The following points must be taken into account when customising the cockpit:

• Equipment: The equipment should include good protection, such as a helmet, goggles and protectors on the elbows and knees.
• Saddle position: The saddle should be set in a horizontal position. Kurt Exenberger explains the best way to adjust the saddle height in the video.
• Handlebar width: Wider handlebars offer more balance and control.
• Grips: These should be screw-on and made of a good rubber compound to provide a better grip.
• Brake lever: This should be pushed relatively far inwards so that braking is possible with one finger. The index finger should be used for braking as it has the greatest leverage and requires the least amount of force.

MTB basic training position

The correct basic position is essential for comfortable and safe off-road riding. This consists of 3 parts:

• Positioning the centre of gravity
• Line of vision
• Arm and leg position and pedalling position

Braking technology: Braking correctly

The following points are important for correct braking:

• The brake finger: As a general rule, only one finger is used when braking. The remaining four fingers guarantee a firm grip and control over the wheel.
• Brake force distribution: The most important brake is the front brake. The rear brake is only used on gravel or wet roots.
• Adjusting the basic position: The harder you brake, the further back your centre of gravity is shifted. The handlebars are pushed forwards and the legs are relatively stretched - the centre of gravity is relatively high.

Driving uphill

Driving uphill consists of three sections:

• Approach on the mountain
• Steep ramps
• hairpin bends

Cornering technique: cornering correctly

The following points are important for the correct technique when cornering:

• Push: When cornering in tight radii, it helps to push the handlebars into the bend.
• Pedal position: Either a horizontal pedal position or the outer pedal downwards. Kurt explains the difference in the video.
• Shifting the centre of gravity: This is shifted to the front wheel to prevent it from slipping.

Overcoming obstacles

Kurt introduces three different techniques for overcoming obstacles:

• Lift the front wheel: Get low with your shoulders and push off from the handlebars at the right time.
• The seesaw: First the front wheel is lifted over the obstacle and then the rear wheel follows with a quick jump from the legs.
• The false hare: This is performed in a similar way to a bunny hop. When approaching the obstacle, go low and then push off the ground dynamically.

Driving downhill: Steep steps

When descending steep steps, pay attention to the approach, drop-in and exit.

Hairpin bends

The best way to master hairpin bends is to look far beyond the end of the bend and exert a lot of pressure on the front wheel.

Jumps and drops

The difference between a jump and a drop is as follows:

• With a jump, there is a kicker or a jump that goes uphill.
• A drop is performed with a jump downwards.

Wheelie

The following elements are important in a wheelie:

• Pulling up using pedal pressure and pulling up the handlebars. Important: Pull the handlebars equally with both hands.
• The sweet spot. To find this, you have to lean very far backwards. You can correct this lean-back by pulling on the rear brake.
• Holding the lateral balanace. This balances your knees and legs.

Mountain bike manual & bunny hop

With the bunny hop, it is particularly important that you jump forwards and upwards and then push the front wheel downwards when you land.