Mountain bike riding technique: Shredding with more style - boost your skills!
FREERIDE Magazin
· 21.02.2023
Contents:
Jumping stairs with Fabio Wibmer
Park stunts are usually many hours away by car, but there are stairs almost everywhere. With the right riding technique on your mountain bike, you can rock your bike even in an urban environment. Expert Fabio shows you how to jump into a bumpy landing.
1 Safety first
Make sure that you don't jump in front of any passers-by. Choose stairs that are easy to see. For video recordings, I only jump when a buddy gives me the go-ahead. That way I know that the lane is clear.
2 Jump!
If you want to skip a gap, you have to land on the slope. The right speed is crucial. Only experience can help. Actively push off before the first step (bunny hop movement). This gives you airtime for style interludes.
3 Landing
Ideally, you should land on the steps with both wheels at the same time. If this does not happen automatically, actively push the bike into the landing slope. Avoid landing with the rear wheel hanging down - this can end badly.
MTB riding technique: Matti Welz demonstrates the correct flying position
If you want airtime, your riding technique on the MTB has to be right here too. If you hang back, you block yourself. Balanced jumps and style interludes only work if the flying position is right. MTB youngster Matti Welz says: Come to the front!
1 pole position
Almost every form of airtime is about a central position on the bike. Unfortunately, most hobby freeriders hang too far back. This usually happens out of insecurity and quickly becomes an ingrained movement pattern. Our appeal: Check your flying position!
2 Stay relaxed!
For kicker jumps, gaps, drops, whatever - you want to sail through the air with balance. To adjust your position on the bike, you need to stay loose and responsive. Under no circumstances should you stiffen up and freeze into a dead sailor.
3 Chin over the stem!
The correct position in the air does not work straight away, it takes time and requires constant self-control. The chin must be over the stem (photo below). Only those who fly through the air in the centre can think about tricks and style interludes.
MTB cornering technique: the jet turn with Korbi Engstler
Cornering is considered the supreme manoeuvre in biking. Everyone thinks they can do it, but very few really master the turn. Professional shredder Korbinian Engstler shows you the right MTB riding technique.
1 Scan
The first step is to check the surface, radius and run-out of the bend. The grippier the ground, the more lean angle is possible. You need experience to be able to judge a bend correctly.
2 Tilt the bike downwards
Tar can tolerate a lot of leaning. Make sure your body is centred. Lean the bike into the turn and stay upright yourself. Put pressure on the front wheel. The outside heel presses down. Result: lots of traction!
3 Gain experience
Adapt the lean angle to different terrain and recognise in good time as soon as traction decreases. Straighten the bike gently and according to the situation. Get a feel for the lean angle.
Courageous on the steep descent - Richie Schley shows the right riding technique
First and foremost, steep descents require effort, because the riding technique is simple. However, there are a few things you need to bear in mind to ensure a successful descent. Richie Schley tells you which ones.
1 Preparation
Take a close look at the descent. Many have the courage to tip into the steep section, but are then surprised by the compression at the bottom and crash. So: concentrate fully on the whole thing. Not just the roll-in.
2 Go deep!
Of course, you also push your body weight backwards, but above all, you crouch down compactly on the bike. Your arms are bent. This gives you a lot of pressure and traction on the front wheel and keeps you ready to react.
3 Stay in the fall line
Brake carefully so that the tyres do not lock and keep the bike in the fall line. Anticipate the compression on the ground. It can be very rough. Push actively and don't be surprised by the impact.
