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A Beginner’s Guide on How to Ride a Mountain Bike
Over 40 million Americans enjoy mountain biking. It’s an activity that has continued to grow in popularity since the 80s, for good reason.
You can ride your mountain bike as you venture outdoors, working a variety of muscles. Since it’s low impact, you won’t put stress on joints like you would with running. You can also help reduce mental stress while spending time outside.
What if you don’t know how to ride a mountain bike? This guide breaks down everything you need to know about mountain biking. Read on to learn more about it.
Types of Mountain Bikes
The first thing you need to know is what type of mountain bike you should buy. Mountain bikes fall under different categories. You can select a bike based on what style of riding you plan to do.
Hardtail bikes lack suspension at the back. Without suspension, there’s nothing to absorb impact.
This bike isn’t suited for bumpy or rocky downhill terrain. If you ride this type of bike in this terrain, you’ll likely get knocked around.
A hardtail bike is best for climbs. This is the best type of mountain bike for cross-country riders.
Trail bikes can absorb impact and motion. They’re able to do this on both the front and back fork. This allows riders to experience smoother rides on bumpy trails.
How to Size a Mountain Bike
Once you buy your mountain bike, you’ll need to size it. Most of these bikes come in standard S, M, L, and XL sizes. It’s best to ask a pro to help you size your new bike to your fit.
You should be able to stand over the top bar. Your feet should be flat. If you feel stretched out when pedaling, you’ll need to resize your bike.
Mountain Bike Safety
Before you learn how to ride a mountain bike, you must learn safety skills. It’s important to be respectful on the trail. Familiarize yourself with the mountain biking rules to prevent accidents.
You’ll need to buy the right type of mountain biking gear. It’s a good idea to wear moisture-wicking fabrics. Padded shorts are also ideal as they help to reduce saddle fatigue
You’ll have to buy a mountain bike helmet. It should offer plenty of venting and protection.
Don’t forget to buy a good pair of gloves. Gloves can reduce hand and wrist fatigue.
Consider hiring a professional mountain bike instructor. Your instructor can give you the tools you’ll need to learn how to ride one. Many of them also offer mountain bike rentals, so that you can rent one and learn how to ride.
Time to Learn How to Ride a Mountain Bike
Don’t know how to ride a mountain bike? Now’s the perfect time to learn. You can use this guide to help you buy the best mountain bike and get you started on your new hobby.
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Kenneth is a proud native of sydney, born and raised there. However, he pursued his education abroad and studied in Australia. Kenneth has worked as a journalist for almost a decade, making valuable contributions to prominent publications such as Yahoo News and The Verge. Currently, he serves as a journalist for The Hear Up, where he focuses on covering climate and science news. You can reach Kenneth at [email protected].
