9 Mistakes All Beginner Mountain Bikers Make

Very useful! I've derailed my chain due to multiple gear changes at once

The scary side of MTB - years ago I crashed and hurt myself pretty badly alone on a trail that was probably too difficult for my skill level. I’m sure I’m not alone in this, but I couldn’t get a signal with phone and after a couple hours of painfully limping my bike towards car, my phone had died, I was out of water, sun was setting, I was getting a bit lost and that sense that I could be in actual trouble set in. Just before total darkness I came across a dirt road and a truck luckily drove by and he was nice enough to put bike in back and drive me to car. So it turned out okay but it scared me pretty badly and I always bring a fully charged phone and plenty of water and if alone I don’t ride anything too difficult that’s far from people and help.

Some of this is basic knowledge if you’ve done any biking but, other things like body positioning and carrying water and food. Great advice!

whats the saddle that is on the nukeproof full sus? the ergon one. and is it comfortable on long distances?

What model of saddle is that from Ergon? I have only seen it here on GMBN and it doesn't seem to be available in the US or Asia.

How about then my legs shake?

great help, thank you.

😁😁😁🎯💯

Man, I found out about knowing your limits the other day. I got a brand new Canyon Spectral and wanted to see what it could do. I forgot the most important part is the rider's abilities. I am a beginner (former road biker) and I signed up for an intermediate trail ride with some black sections. I was dying trying to catch my breath and hiking around some technical sections. I could get through some of the tech sections once I stood up! Got the water, tools, tubes, and protection, and I am taking mtb lessons!

So helpful! Thank you!

I would make a caveat on the helmet comment. It's not necessarily about buying the best you can afford, I would say "buy the most comfortable helmet you can afford within your requirements". That might not be the most expensive or "THE best" one. Try a load of em on and buy the one you actually like wearing, because what's the point in buying the bestest most expensive helmet if you hate wearing it?

touched a bicycle for the first time 1.5 months ago
still didnt fall a single time

3.25 absolutely not me 3 years ago

Where's the best place to keep multi tool and such? Should I get a saddle bag or just wear a backpack?

Great refresher! So much to think about it's easy to forget a step or two in the beginning. Thanks a bunch!

Enjoy the ride. 😀

Bike set-up, get a shop to help and explain what and why if you can. Tire pressure - Very important, not too little and def not too much start round low to mid 20's PSI (lower if wet, higher if dry and hitting features).

That light green t-shirt looks great...

Lol I use a skateboard helmet

my biggest mistake is using a half broke bike i found in a ditch instead of saving for something fancy that has working brakes or derailers

I've been riding motorcycles daily for 11 years, I feel like mountain bike is harder because the center of gravity is really high and you can't touch the ground🤣

Are you using a 2 piston or 4 piston brakes ? Can i have a idea !!!😀

Two sausage egg and cheese and a large coffee...counterweight.
Plenty of time for water and nuts later.

fact is, when you have a proper englishman explaining stuff at the very posh-way possible, you know you are learning.

Where was this filmed??? It's gorgeous!

2 750 mil bottles every day before doing 20-25km with a friend so each of us has one. Though you're right. I should get a multi tool. Don't want to be 3 towns over, have questionable reception and have to ask for a lift

I bought my rb with 2 bottle cage and 2 water bottle.cause its always summertime in philippines.

Love how Rich always teaches you simple things in the most non-patronising way. Exactly what you need when you're learning.

What about the 'all the gear no idea brigade' I've seen newbies buying top of the range everything just because it's the most expensive, or because they are trying to go one up on someone else for some bragging rights or just for the bling, just because the pro's use it or the bike shop or a mate talked them into buying it and popping it all on finance and not having the skill to really to get the most out of it where something a third of the price would have been more than sufficient, or buying components that are super light weight but not very durable and very pricey to replace.

I bought my first bike, went down my first mountain and almost crashed twice, I apparently forgot to unlock my shocks LOL

I recommend u guys bring dates if u dont have energy bar

Hello! I'm a fairly new to the biking world and I started just a few weeks ago doing 2 rides a week. How much food can you recommend I eat before doing a 20-30KM bike run? My usual route is a mountain tarmac road and has a 250m incline from my house to my the end point. I usually experience bonking around 10KM spot. I try my best to rest before continuing or usually I just give it up and go downhill back to my house. It has been a hard wall for me since I am having a hard time overcoming that fatigue. I think I am getting tired very quickly compared to other cyclist. I currently have 180KM on my odometer.

Apologies, I Can Not Watch Rich As A Presenter.

Any wHoo Aah

I used to carry water bottles on the bike frame, but found it annoying when they kept falling off. Now, I use a Camelbak water bladder, generally a 2L bladder, which I also carry snacks in the bag, and have extra fluids to drink when I finish riding.

I recently got into mtb and don’t have any mates to ride with and don’t feel comfortable going to trails that are busy alone should I be worried about this or am I over thinking it?

At what point do stop you considering yourself a beginner? I've ridden mtb for years but I still think I'm a beginner because everything changes so fast these days.

So a McDonald's and a coffee is a bad way to start a long ride? 😅

Walk of shame? What's wrong with just walking once a while?

On the multi tool section. There is a third option the get home. A taxi. I have had to do this as my brother was at work and my didn't drive.

Good video lesson plans👍

Rode with a lot of newbies in groups that are good in other sports thinking they can master this one in one ride….fools always crash and get hurt😜

-Improper suspension air pressure and damping.

-Wearing the wrong clothing for long, sweaty rides. Not wearing chamois, cotton shirt, chafing, bloody nipples, etc.

-Exploring unfamiliar territory alone and without GPS.

-Not protecting shins and or poor footwear choice when running flat pedals.

-When riding inner tubes wheels, having air pressure too low and getting pinch flats.

-Bad saddle position/height

-Failure to clean bike, especially drivetrain after wet/muddy rides.

-Laying bike down on the mechanical side

-Waiting too long to downshift for sudden hills and then putting way too much power down as the bike is in mid shift, damaging drivetrain.

-Contaminating brake rotors when cleaning bike. Using degreaser near wheel hubs.

-Not experimenting with cockpit controls positioning. Living with a bad setup.

-Using cheap bike carriers that rub the paint off of your bike frame.

-Adding too many useless bolt/strap/clamp on accessories. Mirrors, frame bags, bar ends, etc. Leave that stuff for bike packers.

-Choosing an aftermarket saddle based on how cushiony it is.

- Tempting theft. Always keep your eyes on your bike or lock it up when you can’t. How many noobs get their new expensive bikes nicked soon after purchase? A lot!

-Failing to bring some sort of light with you on rides where you may be out past sunset.

Yeah two sausage rolls from Gregg’s in the morning is a wrong move before a ride

Top 👍

Am I being blind? :) I can't see the link to the video about body position that was going to be in the description...

Check your bike before ride is another thing. I had tyres blow out in the middle of nowhere. I replace the inner tube and when i inflated them.... a saw a massive bulge at the side of the tyre. I had no idea tyres even COULD wear out. My ignorance was off the SCALE! Replacing old parts, taking the bike to the mechanic 1-2 times a year for overall inspections and personally checking the bike before any major ride outside the urban environment: important lessons for any long distance rides.

I always take water rather than a flavoured drink, if you do fall or something gets in your eye then you have the means to clean up the damage and get yourself back on the trail. I often ride with my kids and its usually indispensible along with a few plasters as they are always getting themselves into scrapes.