10 Essential MTB Skills for Beginners

Whether you've just started mountain or have been riding for a few years, there's always room for improvement. Neil Donoghue has a great list of basic skills to learn/improve on that will help you take your riding to the next level. You will learn braking techniques, how to read the trail and slow-speed bike control, all these skills will help you ride faster and safer which is what we all want!

⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 - Welcome To Another GMBN How To!
0:27 - How To Improve Your Balance On A MTB
1:06 - How To Improve Your Range Of Motion On A MTB
2:15 - How To Track Stand On A MTB
2:43 - How To Improve Your Braking On A MTB
5:35 - How To Use Your Arms & Legs When Riding
6:21 - How To Shift Gears On A MTB
7:12 - How To Improve Your Climbing On A MTB
7:52 - How To Lift Your Wheels On A MTB
8:59 - How To Pick Lines On A MTB
9:57 - How To Pump On The Trail

Useful Links:

What do you have to improve in your riding? Let us know in the comments! 👇

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What do you have to improve in your riding? Let us know in the comments! 👇

[justinsenturias]

Watching this as I lay in the grass after my first big fall getting humbled by a green trail marked for bikers that has zero to emerging skills 😅

[freerider]

definitely gonna help me out on the trails!

[jesperhamalainen]

Hello! Great idea on a video!! Love to see more from you guys

[pierrebroccoli.]

Front foot heal down, rear foot heal up when in neutral stance on the bike.
Track Standing
Many fun things.

In general - just getting out there.

[PVVI]

Thanks! I’m working on basics so this was perfect! The weight shift on climbs was particularly helpful as I’ve been struggling with a particular climb!

[mikedwiles]

One thing I discovered recently is a way to take a steep switchback that has no berm. At this point, I am already on my front and rear brakes. I can get my front wheel around. But I need to skid the rear a bit. Rather than lose speed by increasing the rear brake, I modulate the front brake by releasing it slightly and maintaining the rear. The slight increase in acceleration gives you a very controllable rear wheel skid if you are already braking pretty hard.

[FROSTYFN-fkdx]

Tire pressures would be a good one, because of different terrains and grips.

[krs]

Could you cover mud, there is a art to traversing different depths of mud which in the winter is a definite must to master

[MTB_Gabe]

Top 6 first comment 🎉 a very helpful thanks

[cnmn]

I'm looking at getting into mountain biking. I am on a budget and looking for a good quality entry level bike. How much will I need to spend to get a decent bike worth buying. I am also open to purchasing used. Is there any good places to look for good quality used mountain bikes..?

[hisirl]

What injury or damage would a 250g drone cause if it landed on a person or car if it failed

[JohnBS]

where was this filmed? It looks dry and warm. Asking from a very damp and muddy Scotland

[fearless]

Can you do these skills on a 29er or will i need a 27.5 to do those skills.

[tlg]

Good video. But you're assuming everyone can afford to buy a bike with a dropper post. Many beginners will buy a cheaper bike.

[rider]

Ugh. Manuals and BH's are NOT beginner skills. 🤦‍♂ Most important are static balance, turning and braking. Hinging hips and body position.

[RameetSingh]

My guy has a 5k bike and expects us to learn on coops and gt avalanches