Mastering Mountain Bike Skills - 2nd Edition [Paperback]

[Chubba]

Anyone read this?

 

http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Mountain-Bike-Skills-2nd/dp/0736083715/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1294083510&sr=1-1

[rudi-h]

I've got the first edition. Its good for general reading, and pretty fun too, but I didn't find that reading it improved my riding in any remarkable way. It only tells basics about how things should be done, and doesn't really give you too much tips, drills or exercises on how to do it, if that makes sense. Maybe its just me, but learning how to wheelie, bunny hop high stuff, make big jumps etc. is better to learn from somebody who can actually do it well. Reading can't teach you that, but who knows, maybe the 2nd edition is a cracker!

[Morne Veer]

I've got the first edition. Its good for general reading, and pretty fun too, but I didn't find that reading it improved my riding in any remarkable way. It only tells basics about how things should be done, and doesn't really give you too much tips, drills or exercises on how to do it, if that makes sense. Maybe its just me, but learning how to wheelie, bunny hop high stuff, make big jumps etc. is better to learn from somebody who can actually do it well. Reading can't teach you that, but who knows, maybe the 2nd edition is a cracker!

 

Have to agree. Reading a book about flying an airplane might give you an idea of what to expect when you get into the cockpit, but you sure as hell will need proper training to get off the landing area. Same applies to mountainbiking - time on the bike is the only way to improve your skills and handling of the bike. Things like taking the correct lines and proper brake application will come automatically as you develop your riding. Guess there is no harm in reading such material, but do not for one moment think you are going to be a better biker for being a nerd for a few hours - especially not if you are a novice at mountainbiking !

Edited January 3, 2011 by GoFastORGoHome

[Chubba]

hey guys thanks for the tips. my MTB skills are okay i recon, just wanted to read this to learn how to fly and drive.

[covie]

I've got the first edition. Its good for general reading, and pretty fun too, but I didn't find that reading it improved my riding in any remarkable way. It only tells basics about how things should be done, and doesn't really give you too much tips, drills or exercises on how to do it, if that makes sense. Maybe its just me, but learning how to wheelie, bunny hop high stuff, make big jumps etc. is better to learn from somebody who can actually do it well. Reading can't teach you that, but who knows, maybe the 2nd edition is a cracker!

 

Yeah there are some good Skills dvd's out there, Dirtschool for one, and MTB fundamentals is another.

[bradjackson]

Yeah there are some good Skills dvd's out there, Dirtschool for one, and MTB fundamentals is another.

I can highly recommend the TREAD Skills courses. Sat in on one at the end of last year and what struck me is how "complex" mountain biking really is.

There's just so much physics going on that we take for granted.

 

The theory part of the 101 course puts some of this into perspective and you actually start to understand how your bike is interacting with the dirt and the forces of nature.

Then you get out as a group and put the theory into practice under the guidance of a skilled instructor. At the same learning from watching your fellow classmates do it right and wrong.

 

I'm sure books are great but I don't think it could come close to what you will learn from a course like this.

[Chubba]

I can highly recommend the TREAD Skills courses. Sat in on one at the end of last year and what struck me is how "complex" mountain biking really is.

There's just so much physics going on that we take for granted.

 

The theory part of the 101 course puts some of this into perspective and you actually start to understand how your bike is interacting with the dirt and the forces of nature.

Then you get out as a group and put the theory into practice under the guidance of a skilled instructor. At the same learning from watching your fellow classmates do it right and wrong.

 

I'm sure books are great but I don't think it could come close to what you will learn from a course like this.

Gonna check this out, thanks!