How to Corner Stupid Fast on your MTB (with NO fear)

Cornering fast and in control isn't complicated -- it's not easy, and it takes practise, but it's not complicated like others may have you believe. With some inspiration from fellow rider Jeff Kendall-Weed, I unlocked unlimited cornering speed and potential on my mountain bike with ONE single movement. Check it out.

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[beerbikesbarbells]

I've watched a lot of cornering videos, but this provided the info from a completely new angle. Videos usually tell you the steps to improve your cornering, but not always why you do them that way. Really good stuff!

[ceebs]

LOL "and without the why were all just out in the woods making weird shapes for no reason". I felt this in my soul.

[grumbly]

8 minuets? Straight to the point? Actually changed my riding? (no seriously, it's all different now) This video right here. Thanks. Your light bulb became my light bulb and it freaking worked.

[nzmtbrally]

Im a full time pro guide / coach of 20 years, and let me tell you 1) I learned something here 2) I will be sharing this with pretty much everyone I work with in future. Great job!

[channingseverson]

As a 42 year old with 25 years of mountain biking under my belt, this makes more sense than any explanation I’ve ever gotten. Can’t wait to give it a try thanks dude

[kevin._.farren]

Every beginner mtb’er needs to watch this. As a transitioning roadie I was very quickly aware I lacked the necessary technique and skills to ride the way I wanted. Cornering was the biggest adjustment coming from a “lean into the corner” discipline to cornering on dirt and gravel which is auto hit-the-deck on the road. Your video just added the final element I needed. THANK YOU!!!!

[tgoods]

After watching this I went out and set several PBs on a local single track loop. Thanks so much.

[dwiesch]

OMG, THANK YOU!
As an engineer, I can not remember anything, without knowing why or how it works. Finally someone explains the WHY, rather than telling us to blindly obey whatever the pro racer tells us to do and not ask questions or think about it to much.

[jefferygroenke]

This same technique is called counterweighting on dirt motorcycles, commonly taught and used. Another advantage he doesn't mention is when the bike is leaned over the radius of the tire is effectively reduced on the inside of the turn causing the bike to naturally turn, again the same as dirt motorcycles.

[brianvaughan]

This is gold. Just watched this and your “Stand up to the jump” vid and love the way you break it down and give simple, actionable steps that eliminate the overwhelm factor. Exceptional work, subscribed! ✅

[austinmcmahon]

LOVE the way you explain things. I have always been a “why” person myself. MORE OF THESE PLEASE

[shark]

Dude, nobody talks about leaning the bike in other vids. When you said that leaning was the one thing to do, and how it naturally made the knees point correctly to make room for the top tube of the frame, it all clicked together. Mind blown, thanks I'll definitely practice this as well.

[orend.mp]

After I watched this, I went on a 4 hour ride looking for flat loose corners and came home with 2 Hands down the best mtb how-to ever!!!

[MrSahlensguy]

Watching this was an epiphany. Watched it yesterday, rode today and what a difference it made for this 58 year old, long time rider. One thing that really helped was to notice how nearly straight up you stood over the outside pedal. That puts your weight to the outside, enabling you to really lean the bike to the inside. It's not much unlike snow skiing. Each ski will have a side cut. The more you can lay the ski down on it's edge, the better it will arc the turn. To lay it down you need to get your body weight down the hill. The classic mistake beginning skiiers make is to lean into the hill. All you do then is to skid downhill. Not carve. The bike is the same. The more you can lean it over, and with a little turn of the wheel, the more it will arc the turn. To lean it over, stand stright up over the outside and often downhill side pedal.

I rode more comfortably than ever today on the side of a mountain with exposure to one side. I've probably always leaned to the hillsdie a little, which only made it less stable. Stand on the downhill side pedal, lean the bike to the inside arc of the turn and engage the knobs on the side of the tires like you would engage the edge of a ski. It carves hillside like a dream.

I did just get my first bike with a dropper post a couple of weeks ago. I do feel that that one upgrade, plus wider tires and some instruction has made curves, turns, switchbacks a blast.

Timeless video. Thanks!

[davekes]

Today I practiced your cornering instructions. Wow, amazing! I have been mountainbiking for almost 25 years, and since a few weeks on a new bike, but this is a new experience. At first it is a little scary to push the handlbar sideways into the corner, by stretching the inside arm, pointing the knees into the corner direction and have the balance almost in the opposite direction. You have to trust your bike's capabilities, but the side knobs of the tires now finally do the work they are meant for. It is amazing to see the bike can actually corner much quicker that ever before. Still practicing, but already seeing good improvements and certainly convinced this is the way to do it. Many thanks!

[jerryglazener]

I’m almost 77 and getting my old 2006 Kona upgraded to get back in shape. Your video caught my attention because of your “name” Loam Ranger….because part of my upgrades was going from a 3x 8 to a 1x 11spd and adding a PNW- Pine 27.2 - 110mm dropper post & LOAM shifter…. along with getting rid of my stock 2.1 tires and going with a Maxxis 2.3 rear and 2.4 front and adding 750mm Salsa handlebar & Ergons. Your vid has really helped and encouraged me on the “LEAN”. I’d watched many vids (like you said) on “riding outside your bike”, pedals here or there, etc. but the only one that made since is Joy of Bike and now YOU explaining verbally about my tires and how loading affects the grip or knobs on the outer edge of the tires! I’m recovering from a bad bout with Covid-19 and about to make a comeback! And, a real shoutout to a friend, Darrin, at Society Cycles Works in Sugarland, Tx that did all my upgrades and conversions…I just turned it over to him and he did it all to fix me up! (I really believe Darrin is actually a Wizard disguised as a Biker!)… as changing out the BB and finding parts these days is not a simple task on an old frame! It took parts from the 80’s to accomplish this and finding a Dropstop A 120 BCD 36T for my front and a set of carbon Truvativ’’s (he had in his garage) to make it all work! What a change he accomplished! Anyway, I’ve subscribed to your channel and look forward to improving my riding skills….you are never to old to learn something new and ride more safely with enjoyment! This old Marine is ready to hit the trails again! Keep the vids coming!
Semper Fi - jerry

[cyprusdaedalus]

Watched last night and went out riding today. Had watched all the other cornering videos on YT to no avail and had the same slow speed/lack of confidence/fear of washing out you described. This 8 minute video did more to improve my riding than the past 3 years / 10, 000 miles of riding i've done. By my third turn my brain had already clicked over and I was carrying more speed and more confidence through every turn. First time riding where I felt I could attack a corner. First time i think the side nubs on the front tire actually got dirty from digging into the ground. I never comment on videos but this was such a massive help I was compelled to come back and give you a heart felt thank you!

[Christophe_L]

GREAT advice. What I was taught and clicked for me was "use your outside knee to lean your bike over". Like literally ride straight and try to push your knee into the frame, and everything else will happen automatically: inside knee follows, butt points out, shoulders point in, CG lowers, etc

[SherlockJo]

OMG I am 62 years old and haven't ridden a bike from probably 35 years BUT wow that looks like so much fun... but scary!!! I am so glad you are teaching others how to be safe and have a blast riding!! Good job!!!🙃

[paulb]

Excellent! By explaining the "why" you're streets ahead of the majority of other "how to" videos. Can't wait to try cornering again.