5 Basic Skills Every Mountain Biker Should Know

Рет қаралды 1,044,474

8 жыл бұрын

Sometimes, the best way to ride your MTB better is to go right the way back to basics. Here are five often-neglected, basic - yet essential - skills that every mountain biker should work on.
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What if you go back - way back to the time when you first learnt to ride a bike? Now, you might think that you've covered off those really basic skills, but, for many of us (even some of the world's best), the big improvements in riding come from working on these. Skills like getting better at looking ahead instead of at your front tyre, improving your braking and refining your pedalling technique will all help you to ride much, much faster. So, why not go back to basics..?
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Пікірлер: 363

@nasonguy 4 жыл бұрын

Classic motorcycle tip that applies to the last point: Look where you want to be, and there you will go.

@Billy-wb2op 3 жыл бұрын

And especially don't look where you don't want to go

@georgemorley1029 2 жыл бұрын

Look where you think other people are going for a magical mystery tour! And a trip to casualty.

@Cake_Doge 2 жыл бұрын

It is no real world but I have seen and used the same technique in simracing. Look ahead of you. When you are fast, obstacles come at you in matter of seconds, so the sooner you observe you path and gather info, it is better for you.

@ajj4483 Жыл бұрын

Same principle as surfing, look where you want to go and the body will follow.

@PaulAlford75 6 жыл бұрын

That last run looked so fast!

@Jimmy_Jam1020 6 жыл бұрын

I would end up killing myself at that speed on a trail like that. lol

@nicki3305 4 жыл бұрын

@@Jimmy_Jam1020 me too

@mtbr6371 8 жыл бұрын

Really liked the point of view perspective when explaining where to look in different situations

@Dave-ku3cu 8 жыл бұрын

This series is awesome. As a beginner, this gives me skills to practice before deepening any bad habits. Thanks for making these! The PoV camera with the highlight showing where you're looking, is particularly cool.

@DanThemanFink Жыл бұрын

I loved the pov with the target. I wish there were more videos that specifically did that. I don’t live near trails, so watching KZfaq is one way I practice watching the trail and picking a line. It helps build real-time decision making.

@magisteerium132 8 жыл бұрын

Neil has nice live commentary skills.

@mtb4l673 8 жыл бұрын

He's the Don

@AeronN7 8 жыл бұрын

SUPER NICE

@mdhdhair 6 жыл бұрын

Hell yes!

@timshears2099 8 жыл бұрын

As a roadie planning a bit of dark-side stuff this winter that was awesomely useful. The eye-guide camera makes me realise why I hit trees occasionally.

@corporatehippy 6 жыл бұрын

I just discovered GMBN today and have been watching vids for over an hour. I can't stop!! :) Absolutely outstanding series of vids. Professional, clear, great pace. Well done!!

@Jojo-ki9xt 4 жыл бұрын

Lol 2 years later What's new lol

@rigorhead01 8 жыл бұрын

Best video you guys have made in a while. Really enjoyed this one!

@Bigdrum2 8 жыл бұрын

me too :-) i like the eye following camera.

@bmallory 8 жыл бұрын

I have to say this was a great video ! rear view and pov view were very cool

@twentytwo_22 8 жыл бұрын

also very steady back view at 0:14

@UnicornReviews 8 жыл бұрын

That last shot gave me the best idea ever: Downhill racing with a co-pilot reading notes over the radio with the rider never having ridden the track before :D

@annas.2387 8 жыл бұрын

Darwin says no! LOL

@andrewmayer2443 6 жыл бұрын

Ah like WRC or Group B type stuff! I know what you mean! That would be wild

@felpel1027 6 жыл бұрын

Would be interesting to ride enduro like that

@your_average_cultured_dude 4 жыл бұрын

Ahaha rallying

@shumeister1059 3 жыл бұрын

Like auto rally driving with navigator shouting out commands.

@Mrgnothing1 8 жыл бұрын

more POV shots like this

@Julegaven 8 жыл бұрын

I absolutely love the POV part of looking ahead with the live commentary, it really points out how far you should look at different speeds. Awesome vids guys :D

@andrewblewski7926 3 жыл бұрын

Just getting into mountain biking and it's crazy how similar it is to tracking cars. Basically the same principles. Always looking well ahead, always doing your braking before the corner ..etc.

@joshuadunn1782 7 жыл бұрын

Love these videos. Watched them all several times and really learnt a lot. Im nailing the trails and enjoying it more because of these videos. Thanks

@roberts9553 8 жыл бұрын

informative as ever and the POV was really useful!

@paullevesque3543 8 жыл бұрын

This was a fantastic video. I really liked the use of the point of view cam and highlighting the focus point.

@chrlmlln9018 8 жыл бұрын

Really very good presentation of the basic riding skills by you sir! Big THANK to you for this excellent video! Wishing you happy and safe riding! /Charl

@sarahsenter2865 4 жыл бұрын

Wow this is a great video! You guys are so awesome at teaching. I just did my FIRST ride EVER this weekend and watching your videos for the past 2 weeks was REALLY helpful. I had so much fun and when I got scared (after screaming out loud IM SCAAARED! as I was blasting down the hill lol) I said "feather the brakes". Thanks so much you guys. When I was done, I wished I couldve texted you! 😂 Im nearly 50 and heavyset and wasn't sure I could do it, but you guys helped build my confidence and made me feel like I could belong! Ill keep watching!!

@4c107 8 жыл бұрын

best camera work Ive seen in a bike video, its like there was a cameraman hanging off the back of the bike for the rearview shot, and the POV was so smooth and actually pointed in the right direction

@ARCHDEACONMUSIC 4 жыл бұрын

All the videos on your channel are AWESOME! I've learned A LOT watching them! Thanks!

@DanThemanFink Жыл бұрын

@raymondmartens7803 4 жыл бұрын

Ive rode bikes my whole life just for fun as a kid through trails and even clay race track just fooling around but now at 52 and i bought my first mountain bike i want to hit the trails again and your videos are some of the best ive watched thank you for all the great tips for a beginner like me

@ZOB4 8 жыл бұрын

Nice job, camera work throughout is excellent, nice and smooth with the following, the POV work is great too. Good job fellas!

@vilramos 6 жыл бұрын

Great video! I like the different skills discussed and the different camera angles.

@RxMTB 8 жыл бұрын

The way you did that last tip was amazing! THanks.

@MrKenoKiller 7 жыл бұрын

getting a bike tommorow after few years of pause since i crashed and had a concussion, came here to refresh my memory xd

@TwoMotoKiwis 6 жыл бұрын

Wicked cool you guys, been riding for many years myself but always pick up something new, great vid with a perfect mix of blokeisms and testies, cheers Andi

@financebymichael 6 жыл бұрын

Your videos are amazing... I have within a matter of days learned to climb technical rock gardens at South Mountain, AZ I would have never thought possible... thank you

@slinkytreekreeper 6 жыл бұрын

Cracking filming guys, really sublime smooth follow shots.A video on your gear and a short making of this kind of shot would be super interesting.Subtastic stuff

@rickbiessman6084 8 жыл бұрын

Great video! I’ve been riding for a while now and there wasn’t necessarily anything new for me but it’s always good to be reminded (e.g. looking ahead - you caught me with that one). Also: MORE GOPRO RUNS please! :D I know this channel isn’t about that but my goodness, that run was awesome!

@cocacolatgv 8 жыл бұрын

I loved the POV narration!!! I hope you do more videos with a segment like that Neil! Excellent job!!

@colemang6951 4 жыл бұрын

All tricks I knew but so good to hear from someone else. Nice to know im doing it right! Great video.

@kherchia73 7 жыл бұрын

Wow! A very good of showing us the ropes! Big THANK YOU!!!

@DmitryElizarov 8 жыл бұрын

I just love the rhythm of videos- not agitated, but very much energetic and overall pleasant to follow. And here, on this one, you guys area at your best. Been following you for merely a couple of weeks, but learned so much. Cheers from Russia :D

@WalterNeumann550 8 жыл бұрын

I started riding a mountain bike a few moths ago. I had been riding a road bike for a couple of years on a daily basis though. As I went on my 2nd trip with my brand new mountain bike , I kind of went too far beyond my limits and flew over my handlebars on a very steep slope which ended up breaking my right hand. Recovery took 5 weeks so it could´ve been worse. It was a breaking point in my mountain biking "career" . Since then I´ve always been riding very carefully trying to think of what I´m doing and I can already feel a slight improvement so I definitely state that your videos have been a big factor of that as well. Thank you for all that very useful content , all your videos etc. IT´s been a huge help to me and many friends of mine too.. Love your videos. Keep it up :) Btw: Sorry for my bad english , I´m from the Czech republic.

@sherules5005 Жыл бұрын

I used to ride BMX bike in childhood then stopped, cycling now 30 years later 😸. I'm learning how to build confidence while cycling 🚴🏿‍♂️. This video was helpful especially when braking. Gracias 🙏🏾

@raddavey 8 жыл бұрын

the looking ahead sections was fantastic to actually see how far you are looking.

@johnfay681 Жыл бұрын

Great videos I wish I saw this before I started Thanks for the info

@wallygoots 4 жыл бұрын

Great content. Nursing my wounds from a local canyon and trying to pick up tips to dial those turns with confidence.

@Bill97070 7 жыл бұрын

Great lesson on basics. Well done and helpful.

@michaelvoulgarellis8298 2 жыл бұрын

Being a motorcycle rider helped a lot in mastering the technique of looking anead on the bicycle as well ..best advice

@mdhdhair 6 жыл бұрын

Impressive!! Great commentary on the downhill section!!

@FonsecaMeireles 6 жыл бұрын

Life savers you guys! Much appreciated ;)

@kevinlafon 8 жыл бұрын

Yeah!! You finally acquired a gimble! People really seems to enjoy those shots. There begins a new era of awesome commentaries. Super NIce!

@alexfroggatt1887 8 жыл бұрын

That was one of the best videos you've done!

@icklebinen 3 жыл бұрын

"Oh, that was close. Almost hit that feather!" For someone known for not having the best tv personality (as mentioned in other videos or livestreams) that was classic dry humor and perfect timing! That was how i always viewed you anyway. That was fantastic!

@jaesupryu7861 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks it is very helpful.

@iamjohnyboy 6 жыл бұрын

Excellent video, really well done

@diegoschmidt324 7 жыл бұрын

uhoh, the first person view part was awesome! combined with explanations and hints this is a great way to present!

@lewisrudd2274 8 жыл бұрын

thanks for all the vids my biking has improved and I am now thinking more about line choice eg and I feel like I am going faster

@davidmithen9223 8 жыл бұрын

Nice video Neil, good to have you back. I find that placing the middle of the pedal in the arch of my foot way more stable as I can put pressure through my heels. Easy way to test this do a squat with your feet flat on the ground pressing through your heels, then try a squat on the balls of your feet, see which one is more stable. Same principle on a bike. Keep up the good work.

@avidpsychlist8129 7 жыл бұрын

Great helpful advice on those. Very handy to make the most of your rides if you aren't into jumping and drops etc. I will concentrate more on these types of skills as well as smaller drops vs jumps, etc, so this is perfect for me. Thanks. Oh, side note... you guys need to show the out-takes more often so we can feel better about ourselves when we don't get it right away. For example, the braking tip... Neil stops ahead of the feather, but they don't show the previous run where he hit the bird.

@josephfraser434 3 жыл бұрын

That last POV was great and easy to understand. More of that please! Im always reminding myself to keep looking further. It looked like you were chasing the red circle and never going to catch it haha

@peterjones6226 3 жыл бұрын

Well explained and good advice 👍

@kondreman 7 жыл бұрын

Really good video guys!!

@bikepackist 3 жыл бұрын

Great video thank you

@vekhabeauty 6 жыл бұрын

Great advice thank you!!

@evanbarnidge7179 8 жыл бұрын

Loved the POV walkthrough!

@Nanchi 8 жыл бұрын

WOW! that trail you were in while explaining stance looks AWSOME wish trails here were smooth with a lot of berms lol

@Nanchi 8 жыл бұрын

# AWSOME TRAILS

@Cameronwlee 8 жыл бұрын

Hey Niel. Congrats on becoming a dad! And good to see you back! :-)

@morenasamonte9077 2 жыл бұрын

Thank You GMBN!

@DennisJTapio 8 жыл бұрын

Holy Crépes I loved that Pov part! Would love to see more of that in the future! :D

@mdhdhair 6 жыл бұрын

Super cool way to show his point of view! The trees look like they are super close to his head!! Cool but sketchy...

@jbob1871 7 жыл бұрын

I just got my wheelie today because of you

@xxdfoster 6 жыл бұрын

Jbob18 did you pop it?

@andrewtwose9870 8 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed this vid keep it up

@laurazucchiatti8761 8 жыл бұрын

I look majorly on the lower part or front wheel cos if I see holes or stuff I avoid em early on jump on holes etc... Great video 😃👏👏👌

@24ricorico 7 жыл бұрын

useful vid, thanks!!!

@bricksinthemail5543 8 жыл бұрын

'Brake Hard!' - love your work Neil!

@benhinett 8 жыл бұрын

good video, loved some of the camera angles of the Don on the bike

@palynodie5 8 жыл бұрын

Excellent POV. AND commenting on top of that, even? Wish I was a tenth as skilled as you.

@crustyonion2564 7 жыл бұрын

You guys are the cases neistat of mtb great videos guys

@Danburybeeches 8 жыл бұрын

Great video Neil!

@marcbouchard1488 6 жыл бұрын

great vid. The look ahead part was brilliant.

@gmbn 6 жыл бұрын

It's a small thing that makes all the difference

@InfinityProductions 8 жыл бұрын

You guys are the best. Nice bikes too!

@zozonozon3384 6 жыл бұрын

best tips ever tnx

@garypostell5268 3 жыл бұрын

Great advice excellent

@mariskaronander5062 7 жыл бұрын

Thx guys going to practice all the stuff. any tips for a new beginner scared of falling on downhill :) section, so I'm on my back brakes a lot

@davidlambert3647 8 жыл бұрын

I particularly like the end part where it actually showed where Neil was looking. Looks like I need to look further ahead!

@PIXELvoiz 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! and wow nice camera work!

@dominikgrbac1764 8 жыл бұрын

Can you do more POV videos to see how to pick a line or maybe how to counter an really rough section. Thanks and continue with the good videos...cheers

@raymondmckinley5955 4 жыл бұрын

Fun how as a kid these things are natural now I'm nearly 60 and after having had a life changing bike crash, I'm watching videos like this to help regain confidence!

@drtibber 8 жыл бұрын

Great sound and steady cam ( gimble)!

@joemanly8386 6 жыл бұрын

Loved the POV instruction

@NDemanuele1 5 жыл бұрын

I already implement all of these into my riding. Although, the cadence ( natural pedaling) is something I need to work on. If you already have a specific vid for this, perhaps you can post the link, otherwise, it would be helpful to put a vid together.

@markbradley3440 8 жыл бұрын

Ace vid love the live commentary

@HarveymsDavies 4 жыл бұрын

The pov helped so much 👍

@kosgein 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this great video. I am learning to wheelie and bunny hop at the moment, but i can't seem to get the front of my bike up without pulling it up. I am 6'3" and 235 lbs riding a Specialized Fuse Comp 6Fattie Hard tail. Is it my weight/height or bike? I have owned several bikes in the past but this one fits best and feels comfortable riding down and up trails.

@yoshyoka 8 жыл бұрын

Nice one!

@dropclock. 2 жыл бұрын

props to the cameraman in the first clip for running backwards and seeing the trail throught he back of his head.

@jasonlozano5943 5 жыл бұрын

that was fun thanks

@rajkandhari2745 8 жыл бұрын

More POV's please!

@igorkuznetsov9850 8 жыл бұрын

Hi, gmbn!!!Can you make a video of some bailing tips

@NillabTV 7 жыл бұрын

this man mastered at this.. awesome.......

@proplains2019 4 жыл бұрын

That run look fricken terrifying but also awesome!!!!

@JAFO. 5 жыл бұрын

I added a set of old roadie toe-clips, the front plastic piece without the wrap-around belt, to my pedals and my feet never slide off the pedals anymore - but I can get out in a microsecond.

@RSF-1 8 жыл бұрын

sick riding niell

@lukeshirley4143 7 жыл бұрын

I used to take 3 mins to get down a local trail but after watching your vids I now do it it 1 and a half mins

@faultycommodity 7 жыл бұрын

I love how you switched to First Person View to explain what parts if the trail you're looking at :-)

@DavidCulshawmer-r 8 жыл бұрын

just to confirm what he's saying , we have an 8 inch wide paved strip on the edge of cobble stones at wigan pier , if you don't look well ahead and stare at your front wheel then you get joggled about on the cobbles , looking well ahead ensures a smooth ride on the narrow paved strip :)