Newbie Do's and don't ever do that to your MTB

[vanniri]

Make fun of roadies

[thebob]

Track your rides on something like Hubtiger so you know when components are due for a service.

Learn to do the basics yourself so you don't get ripped off by unscrupulous shops out there. YouTube is a great resource for this.

Get hold of the tools necessary to do the basics.

Take everything "veterans" and "experienced cyclists" say with a pinch of salt and do your own research.

[AkwA]

2 hours ago, vanniri said:

Make fun of roadies

Is that a do or a dont😁

[vanniri]

23 minutes ago, AkwA said:

Is that a do or a dont😁

Only a true mountain biker knows

[babse]

Don't come to lehub for ask for real advice 🍿

[AkwA]

11 minutes ago, vanniri said:

Only a true mountain biker knows

👀🤐

[Mamil]

I was going to say, don't fall out of love with road biking. Both are brilliant uses of 2 wheels

[Robbie Stewart]

Learn to ride on flat pedals. Your skills will improve beyond what you will ever learn clipped in, and crashes will not be as serious, because you can separate yourself from the bike as opposed to perfecting the Scorpion.

Despite what everyone will tell you, it's the rider, not the bike!

You can laugh at Lycra Tigers.

You can wave and greet other mountain bikers. They will greet you back, and you are likely to make some friends in the process.

Don't ever ride alone. Ever! Trust me, I've got the scars and the medical bills.

Look before you go. There is no harm in stopping to scope out a feature before riding it for the first time. In fact, skills are drastically improved when you session a feature.

No one is judging you if you push up a steep hill. If anyone does, laugh at their Lycra Tiger uniform.

Ride for the fun of it. Enjoy the freedom.

Send it!

 

[Gr3mlin131]

13 hours ago, AkwA said:

Is that a do or a dont😁

Yes 😁

[117]

Get a dropper 

And remove the dork disc 

[Jewbacca]

My advice would be to not put your bike drive side down when you stop to rest and take in the scenery.

Other than that, enjoy it, don't get sucked into the Image stuff and remember that riding bikes is a journey. Your beliefs, priorities, abilities and focus will shift constantly. Try not to preach or demean others who are at different stages in their bike journey.

Stay enthusiastic and be rad to everyone out there (dog walkers, runners, all other bike riders etc)

 

[bleedToWin]

14 hours ago, babse said:

Don't come to lehub for ask for real advice 🍿

Have to agree, since no-one has said 'get a new mechanic'.

[Pieterlab1]

Tuck and Roll...

[Max Headroom]

A couple of random thoughts in no particular order:

Unlike road bikes that have less maintenance, you must check some items on your mtb bike before every ride - Clean lubed chain (and gear shifting test), Shock pressure, Fork pressure, Tyre pressure and thorn etc presence, Dropper post pressure, Brake lever play and pad wear, and consider your tubeless sealant condition/level. Sounds like a lot to check - but it will become second nature.

Don't leave home without your Trail Permit Board !

Check the club website/facebook etc media on trail conditions. It very disappointing to get to a trail and find it is closed for maintenance etc

When riding alone - keep in mind that you need to ride more conservative and controlled.  If you fall, it could be that bad one you don't expect - and it could be a long time before help or another rider comes past - furthermore, if you are off the trail you could be hard to spot.  

Unlike road riding; you need to stand-up more to control your bike - example stand-up on tricky or rough technical trails or/and downhills

Practice using your front brake - it grips ! especially on a straight line

Don't ever drag your back wheel - it F@#$ up the trails

Brake before you get to a corner/turn - not in the turn - danger plus drag - don't F@#$% up the trails

Don't go riding single tracks if they are muddy/after heavy rain - itf @#$%^ up the trails

Take you own bomb, plugs, tools etc. - don't expect others to help you

Look at route maps to get an rough idea of where you are going to go - unlike road, most side roads  will not lead to Rome - you will reach dead-ends - hike a bike obstacles - and angry farm owner and marshal abuse for leaving the trails.  Plus, short cuts usually aren't

In spite of the above  - sometimes you will get lost - often due to missing a trail sign, go back and check. If its due to confusing or missing sign boards - tell the next marshal you see how disappointed you are ! (but be lekker - don't get into a fight)

Look at maps for potential water restock points

Be lekker - even if its a paid event - you don't have the right to hold the trail line or hold up other riders

When you stop - get off the trail line to let others pass

When faster riders approach from behind, get off the trail line

When you legs give up on a climb, try not to get off - go to your easiest gear, lower your cadence and pace yourself  - , it can be very difficult to remount/restart on steep hills - unlike roads, the surface will probably be loose

Relating to the above, opinions differ on who has 'right of way' - the rider going down a narrow trail or the rider coming up the trail -  if its steep, let the rider going up keep going - but don't be a box, judge each encounter on its own - sometimes the rider going down has no safe place to stop due to speed, loose trail surface etc - and sometimes the climbing rider sees its easier if he/she stops. Say hello and thank-you.

Chances of falling are higher on mtb riding vs. road - Sooner or later you will fall - wear gloves

Sooner or later you will eat bugs and flies - don't cry - HTFU

Sooner or later you will get a Bee in your shirt or helmet - stop immediately or you will get stung (don't cry)

Momentum is your friend - unlike road riding, don't stop just because you went slightly off trail, just keep riding and re-join

Momentum ! - if you go too slow the rocks etc will try to stop your wheel

29er wheels are BIG, and with Momentum, your wheels will roll over most obstacles including rock gardens, river rocky beds, grass/weed lumps/tussocks.

Keep momentum for bridges over fences etc - (but not so much that you ramp/take-off  ! ) And get in a gear that lets you add a little power and speed in case you go too slow at the top. The fence bridge is no different to riding over a dirt bump - with the exception that stopping on top / putting a foot down is likely to end in tears

There is nothing delicate in mtb riding - you must be confident and bully your bike over obstacles

There is no shame in taking the 'B' line ( the safer route at an obstacle, drop-off, jump etc)

Unlike road tyre pressure, hard tyres are not always better - depending on your route, decide on your tyre pressure before setting off on your ride

Always wear your ICE identification bracelet on a ride.

(don't ask how I learned some of these tips)

[dasilvarsa]

During Social Rides

Do Drink Beer Before at Halfway and After the Ride.

[Robbie Stewart]

learn to shralp, its good fun.