Mountain Biking Cheat Sheet

The key takeaways for beginners – setup, ready position and braking technique for more control and flow on the trail.

Equipment & setup

Item	Priority	Tip
Helmet & gloves	High	Non-negotiable – full-finger gloves from day one.
Tyre pressure	High	Rather low for grip, adjusted to weight and terrain – check before every ride.
Bike check	Medium	Quickly check brakes, shifting and thru-axles before hitting the trail.
Knee pads	Medium	Cheap insurance against the most common crashes on technical trails.

The 3 golden technique rules

Factor 1: The ready position is your anchor

Concept: Rolling over obstacles seated and tense gets you thrown off the bike. Tip: Stand centred over the pedals, cranks level – relaxed arms and legs are your suspension.

Factor 2: Your eyes guide the bike

Concept: Staring at the front wheel steers you straight into the rock you want to avoid. Tip: Look far ahead along your line – the bike automatically follows your gaze.

Factor 3: Brake before the corner

Concept: Braking in the corner locks the wheel and washes it out. Tip: Scrub speed beforehand, off the brakes in the corner – 70% braking power front, 30% rear, one finger per lever.

Entry disciplines

Discipline	Level	Character
Cross-country (XC)	Beginner	Fitness and flowy trails – the ideal base.
Trail	Beginner	All-round fun in moderate terrain – start here.
Enduro	Advanced	Technical descents, fitness-heavy climbs.
Downhill	Expert	Lift access only, full-face helmet and full protection.

Practise riding technique

Balance first: Practise track stands and walking pace on a car park – control grows slowly.
Scout your line: Walk unknown sections first: define entry, line and exit, then ride.
Progress step by step: Front-wheel lift before bunny hop, small steps before drops – each skill builds on the last.

Trail etiquette

Uphill has right of way: Make room for climbing riders and hikers – a friendly greeting costs nothing.
Legal trails: Ride marked trails only – it protects nature and the community’s reputation.
Join trail building: Help at local dig days: shape the corners yourself and you’ll ride them better.

Pro tip: Practise new trail sections like a pro: get off, walk the line, define entry and exit – then ride. 60 seconds of scouting saves you weeks of forced time off.