This is how you ride a mountain bike
Note how these riders stay above their bike to obtain maximum control and traction.
Sea Otter Classic Pro Women's Shortrack vid +
I was at the Sea Otter Classic last weekend and took some video and a few pictures
A few photos of the Women's Pro XC winner Emily Batty and her bike:
Emily won the Pro/Elite XC race on this bike: Trek / Gary Fisher Design, 'Superfly' Carbon hardtail 29er.
Here is a vid from the Elite women's XC race where Emily Batty wins.
Pedals, which kind?
If your new to mountain biking, you will eventually see all types of pedals from large ones, to very small ones that look funny. If you are riding just a few times a month, you may want to consider riding 'flat' pedals as they are the easiest to ride and the dismount off of the bike is quick and easy. They are on most department store and entry level bikes at your local bike store.
Once you start moving up to medium level mountain bikes, they may not come with pedals as you will need to choose your own based on the type of riding that you will be doing.
Flats: These can be used on all types of mountain bikes and all types of riding - Easy trail riding, Cross Country (XC), All Mountain, Downhill and Free ride. If your bike came stock with a flat pedal, it may break due to stress if you start jumping, taking drops higher than 2 feet and ride aggressive All Mountain. Stock flat pedals were only provided to pedal with on flat terrain, not for jumping or drops.
Heavy duty flats: For All Mountain, Downhill, Free ride. These are specifically built to take the force of jumping and drops on a mtb. The axle is build heavy duty and the surrounding metal is thicker providing a solid base and ability to take significant shock. Studs are also typically built into the pedal to minimize shoe slippage.
Clipless: Typically for trail riding and XC riders and XC racing. (They are called Clip-less because bike pedals a few decades ago had a clip on the pedals that you would put your shoe into, these do not). This is the most popular choice for general XC trail riders that are solid intermediate level riders. It will take a little time to learn to ride while clipped in 100% of the time, but once you get used to it, it will be second nature to un-clip when needed on downhill technical sections. Most XC racers/riders also choose these types of pedals because they are light weight and are ~30% more efficient while climbing and that is where races are usually won.
Clipless partial platform: These are clipless pedals, but unlike the Crank Brothers 'Egg beaters', they have a small platform which feels like you have a pedal under your foot. At least a partial pedal rather than just supported by the clip-in itself.
Clipless platform: Good choice for those that want the climbing efficiency of being clipped in, but the freedom and ability to remove your foot on technical sections of the trail. The Shimano PD-A530 will default to the flat side when spun around. Just flip it over 180* and you will be able to clip in for a climb.
Shoes for Clipless:
On your first ride try to find a big empty parking lot to ride in and try out the pedals. Practice clipping in and out from both sides of the pedals. Most people will find that they can clip in and out on one side better than the other. It's OK at first but you will want to use both sides effectively when you need to. When you are on a single track trail and need to stop, you will want to clip out towards the mountain side (up slope), not the down side as the trail may fall away and when you place your foot out, you may fall over and possible down the mountain side.
Do not look down at your pedal when clipping back in. You can't see the bottom of your foot, so get into the habit of keeping your eye on the trail ahead. The cleat is under the ball of your foot and once you get your shoe on the pedal, just move it around a little and you will eventually clip in. Practice makes perfect, soon it will be second nature.
You only have to unclip one pedal when you are at an intersection. Get used to leaving the other shoe clipped in. It means one less pedal to worry about. When you start uphill from a stopped position, have your clipped in foot at about the 1 o'clock position so that your first stroke is a downward one that will give you the most power.
Lose weight with the Acai berry
Once you start moving up to medium level mountain bikes, they may not come with pedals as you will need to choose your own based on the type of riding that you will be doing.
Types of pedals:
Flats: These can be used on all types of mountain bikes and all types of riding - Easy trail riding, Cross Country (XC), All Mountain, Downhill and Free ride. If your bike came stock with a flat pedal, it may break due to stress if you start jumping, taking drops higher than 2 feet and ride aggressive All Mountain. Stock flat pedals were only provided to pedal with on flat terrain, not for jumping or drops.
 |
Diamondback Sound Pedal (Black Alloy, 9/16 - Inch, Pack of 2) |
Heavy duty flats: For All Mountain, Downhill, Free ride. These are specifically built to take the force of jumping and drops on a mtb. The axle is build heavy duty and the surrounding metal is thicker providing a solid base and ability to take significant shock. Studs are also typically built into the pedal to minimize shoe slippage.
Clipless: Typically for trail riding and XC riders and XC racing. (They are called Clip-less because bike pedals a few decades ago had a clip on the pedals that you would put your shoe into, these do not). This is the most popular choice for general XC trail riders that are solid intermediate level riders. It will take a little time to learn to ride while clipped in 100% of the time, but once you get used to it, it will be second nature to un-clip when needed on downhill technical sections. Most XC racers/riders also choose these types of pedals because they are light weight and are ~30% more efficient while climbing and that is where races are usually won.
 |
Crank Brothers Egg Beater SL Bicycle Pedal (Silver) |
 |
Shimano PD-M770 Deore XT SPD Mountain Bike Pedals |
Clipless partial platform: These are clipless pedals, but unlike the Crank Brothers 'Egg beaters', they have a small platform which feels like you have a pedal under your foot. At least a partial pedal rather than just supported by the clip-in itself.
 |
Crank Brothers Candy SL Pedals Black |
Clipless platform: Good choice for those that want the climbing efficiency of being clipped in, but the freedom and ability to remove your foot on technical sections of the trail. The Shimano PD-A530 will default to the flat side when spun around. Just flip it over 180* and you will be able to clip in for a climb.
 |
Shimano PD-A530 Sport Dual-sided Pedal - Platform & Cleat sides ! w/SM-SH51 Cleats. |
Shoes for Flat Pedals:
 |
FiveTen Men's Impact 2 Low Bike Shoe,Black,11.5 M US |
Shoes for Clipless:
 |
Shimano SH-M086L MTB Sport Shoe-41 |
Tips for riders that are new to clipless pedals:
Set your pedals so they release your shoe easier if they have that setting (tension). Some pedals come with 2 sets of cleats, one that will clipout at a 15* angle and another around 30*. Place in the cleat that is easier to clip out of.On your first ride try to find a big empty parking lot to ride in and try out the pedals. Practice clipping in and out from both sides of the pedals. Most people will find that they can clip in and out on one side better than the other. It's OK at first but you will want to use both sides effectively when you need to. When you are on a single track trail and need to stop, you will want to clip out towards the mountain side (up slope), not the down side as the trail may fall away and when you place your foot out, you may fall over and possible down the mountain side.
Do not look down at your pedal when clipping back in. You can't see the bottom of your foot, so get into the habit of keeping your eye on the trail ahead. The cleat is under the ball of your foot and once you get your shoe on the pedal, just move it around a little and you will eventually clip in. Practice makes perfect, soon it will be second nature.
You only have to unclip one pedal when you are at an intersection. Get used to leaving the other shoe clipped in. It means one less pedal to worry about. When you start uphill from a stopped position, have your clipped in foot at about the 1 o'clock position so that your first stroke is a downward one that will give you the most power.
Lose weight with the Acai berry
Resurface rotors, improve braking and stopping power
Here is a video on resurfacing your mtb rotors to improve braking power. It's relatively easy and all you need is a inexpensive tool from your local bike store, sandpaper and blue loctite.
How frequently do you need to resurface? It depends on how often you ride... If your an avid rider, maybe once a year...
How frequently do you need to resurface? It depends on how often you ride... If your an avid rider, maybe once a year...
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