Mountain bike skills you probably won't need, but can learn for fun!

Mountain biking is something most of us do for fun, and so not everything needs to be totally practical. Today we'll take a look at some skills that are really fun to learn, but won't necessarily make you ride any better. Enjoy!

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[cybrsrce]

As bikes keep getting longer and longer the endo turn is becoming a required skill along with the wheelie turn. This is my "every switchback" challenge from the past few years.

[CoffeeMonster]

Track stands are actually pretty useful when commuting, especially when clipped in. At crossroads, you don't have to unclip, you can just stay on your bike and wait it out. + its fun

[andrewlevine]

Pivoting is useful in a lot of Enduro and cross country races there is A lot of tight turns that you need to be able to go around fast.

[thomasbenito]

As mentioned by the other fella, track stands are helpful not only when commuting, but also on trails; especially the ones that are quite steep. I use it when choosing which line I have to pass instead of just walking the trail down *IF* I know I can ride the way down.

[niclaskarlin]

I learned how to ride sitting on the steering handle, with my back forward, and pedal. I did this at 14 and haven't used it for anything other than a party trick for over 30 years.

[alhypo]

Track stand is actually pretty useful when you roll up to a steep rock fall and want to scout your line before rolling down it. If you dab while doing that, you're going to have a hard time starting up again since you are right at the start of the drop-in. You'd have to get off your bike and hike back up the trail so you can get a run at it. But if you can pause without taking your feet off the pedals, it's no problem to just start up again and drop right in.

[mountainmoments]

The "endo turn" is a pretty usefull thing when riding alpine terrain like in the Alps. In fact, lots of people there take classes in just learning that for riding alpine hiking trails.

[youtubeviewer]

I have always found that the skills you don't need are the ones that are the most fun by far!

Also they are helpful because you learn better bike control and most importantly you can impress your buddies at the trailhead lol

[Genny]

Pumping (or more accurately carving) like that is how those "pushless" boards and scooters work. You know, the ripstick. Essentially converting a sideways shove into forward momentum. Lot of fun to do!

[jeremyrowell]

The rear wheel pivot is insanely practical. So many times I've missed the turn onto the singletrack and end up having to get off my bike and 180 because the trail is just not wide enough for my skill level. Definitely will be learning this one.

[MrMartinSchou]

I think the most impressive track stand I've seen was by Steve from EMTB, who spent a decently long segment to camera sitting on his bike, arms crossed. THAT was impressive.

[philipaschliman]

I practice my track stands and riding backwards when I’m riding behind my 5 year old. Her average trail speed is negative 3 mph.

[MichaelKasch]

For me the Endo turn and trackstand are more essential than any bunny hop or similar 🤣 I do mainly ride technical alpine "hiking" trails, not adapted for biking. And that's the only way around a lot of corners when you absolutely have no space or need to hit the only rideable line. Trackstand is important to get an overview of what's ahead and helps you to ride slow. Sometimes there is too little space for doing it fast. Like an Endo turn right after a one foot drop with your front wheel

[WalmartBrandClothingItems]

I love the use of the hard tail. Thank you. I ride hard tail and some of these looked impossible on a hard tail bc of suspension.

[Mikesonbikes]

Track stands are one of the best skills to earn. Helps with everything else!

[quentinrupin]

Tip: when you’re learning how to lift the back wheel it helps if you “grip” the pedals. Basically what you wanna do is to point your toes towards the ground and pull on the pedals while you shift your weight forward by gripping onto the pedal spokes. Otherwise great video as usual Seth!

[willsohrnberger]

I broke my arm nose bonking lol. (snowboarding but same thing) It was a feature 10ft in the air with a kicker up to it. It was a propane tank. I nose bonked too hard and it caused me to get off axis and i landed on my arm realllly hard, not on the landing, just from 15 ft in the air onto flat. Was a big yikes lol

[MikeDS]

Seems like Seth learned a lot of these things from his BMX days. I guess the best tool to improve your MTB handling skills is to get a BMX bike :)

[WelcomeToJ]

Brings back memories from when I was a kid. Rode my bike so often it was just an extension of my body. Felt super comfortable and could do just about all of these moves :) Great vid Seth.

[ColinMcEvoy]

5:06 Hey Seth, with snowmobiles we call that a "re-entry" theres alot of very skilled riders that can do different variations but its really crazy to watch and somewhat difficult to do at first. This definitely reminded me of that!