How To Make Your Trail Bike Faster Downhill

The do-it-all Trail Bike is arguably the most practical mountain bike for the majority of riders who are riding a mixture of terrain, especially for those who aren't riding really aggressive downhill trails. But some of us do want to set a bike up to be more capable for downhill sections. In this video, Owen Coutts shows you how.

⏱️ Timestamps ⏱️
00:00 - Intro
01:41 - Tyres
03:35 - Suspension
08:59 - Cockpit
13:24 - Brakes
15:17 - Bonus Tip

Useful Links:

How do you have your bike set up? Do you optimize your bike for downhill or climbing?

Watch more on GMBN Tech...
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[gmbntech]

How do you have your bike set up? Do you optimize your bike for downhill or climbing?

[dennispikephotography]

Owen is so likable. Such a great addition to GMBN.

[pascalbeaulieu]

Basically did all of this during winter. Rode my Ibis Ripmo AF one full season and compiled a list of issues and items to improve. One thing to remember, a new bike out of the shop will not be tuned for you and your riding. Spending time to identify and correct the issue can dramatically improve your confidence and performance on the bike.

[richardrunscake]

Brilliant- more of this from Owen please . Really helps understand bike set up 👍

[gaddobronx]

Owen You're a sick shredder. Good to see you on the trails. You should ride with Neil, Blake, Rich, and Anna.

[emir]

Bro, I just ridden a downhill line in Austria with a canyon stoic 2 HARDTAIL, with tyre inserts, a RockShox Yari 140 and guide RE brakes. Yes, it wasn't easy at all, but so much more fun and risky. U just have to be much more focused and reactive. I love it. 🎉

[stulpnerkarl]

what a great and likable guy, thx for all the tech knowledge Owen! 💪🏼😎👍🏼

[dadventuretv]

Bronson- DH optimized- Sized up for high speed stability, Shimano Saints with 203s front and rear for bringing me and ODB to a stop, 140 mm riser bars to bring me back and higher a bit for the steeps, Assegai front and rear for traction. Sus already good, just added a MegNeg. After that it’s on me. Leaving for Snowshoe tomorrow, ironically. First DH park of the season. 🤘🤘

[ArkUSAbikerchick]

Owen gives the best lectures on bike tech! Very clear and fascinating! I wish I could ride as gracefully as Owen! I need lessons from his coach! Blake, Rich, Isaac, and Neil are fantastic professional cyclists, but I yearn to ride like Owen & Anna!!! They are more relatable to the majority of us trail riders! Most of us have trail bikes and ride blue flow trails! Only a few are XC racers or Enduro/DH experts.

[HomiesAdventures]

More of Owen on a bike!!! Was starting to think he didn't know how to ride.

[oertmtb]

130mm travel bike is all I need for anything, plus a heavy duty set of wheels and a lighter set of wheels with tyres to suit.

[Specialized_Chicano]

Awesome video Owen! I really like when a mechanic breaks it down, and educates us with real tech knowledge. Bonus: Owen shredding the trails. 🤙🏼

[Marb]

What a surprise!!! nice seeing Owen hiting on the trails... What an usefull video, Thanks!

[juliagriffiths]

Brilliant, Owen. Thanks for this. Really helpful and clearly presented. And great to see you out on a bike. Smooth moves :)

[danielthibodeaux]

Great presentation! This was the right amount of information with a great explanation of each of the reasons to make the adjustments. Thank you!

[hamishchalmers]

Really great video Owen, managed to pack a lot in with just the right level of detail, cheers!

[SUBcyclist]

Excellent video, packed with great information. Good goin', Owen! You explain concepts tremendously well.

[Dawes-Engineering]

I have a trail bike set up for use at bike parks, 150mm suspension 2.25 tyres but it is full carbon so it flies. I don't use it anywhere else as I have other bikes for trail rides and long rides. It is perfect for my ability and encourages me to improve and gain confidence.

[drumbrakes]

12:54
Top Tip: get shorter laces, or tuck the ends in!

[blakekennard]

DH optimized trail bike =Perfect shred machine