Home / Tips / MTB Skills

Mountain Biking Skills

Progressing your mountain biking skills can be both challenging and rewarding. Want to clear technical obstacles, climb or descend faster than ever, or jump like the cool kids? Soak in these skills tips, take a mountain biking skills clinic, and practice, practice, practice.

A mountain biker in a blue checkered shirt and patterned shorts leans into a turn on a woodland trail, with trees and greenery surrounding the path. Dust rises from the tires as he navigates the terrain, showcasing an action-packed moment in a natural setting.
MTB Tips
An athletic stance and an open mind can go a long way toward perfecting your MTB skills
A person riding a mountain bike on a rocky trail surrounded by trees. The cyclist is focused on navigating the terrain and is wearing a helmet and a blue shirt, with shorts and sturdy shoes. The landscape features scattered rocks and sparse foliage in a natural setting.
MTB Tips
These eMTB-specific bike skill tips will keep you riding smooth and fast
A mountain biker traverses a winding dirt trail surrounded by lush green trees in a forest setting. The biker, wearing a helmet and a backpack, leans slightly forward as they navigate the path. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere.
MTB Tips
How to get better at turning your bike both directions
A cyclist in a black shirt and helmet rides a mountain bike on a pump track, navigating a curved section of the path marked with a red stripe. Lush greenery surrounds the track under a cloudy sky.
MTB Tips
3 crucial MTB skills you can perfect at the pump track
A mountain biker performing a jump on a dirt trail surrounded by tall grass and trees, with a clear blue sky in the background. The rider is wearing a helmet and padded gear for safety.
MTB Tips
At age 55, Lee McCormack is still getting faster, and helping other riders do the same
  6
A mountain biker navigating a narrow, uneven trail surrounded by lush green ferns and foliage. The rider is wearing a helmet and a colorful long-sleeve jersey, carrying a backpack as they climb the trail on their bike. The scene captures the essence of outdoor adventure and mountain biking in a forested environment.
MTB Tips
Climb the Steepest MTB Trails with These Skills, Tricks, and Tips
  2
A cyclist rides down a rocky, dirt path surrounded by greenery and trees, with a scenic landscape visible in the background under a blue sky dotted with clouds. The cyclist wears a helmet and is equipped with biking gear and bags.
MTB Tips
Pro Rider Dylan Johnson on How to Descend Trails Better with Drop Bars
  4
A mountain biker rides along a winding dirt trail surrounded by greenery and trees, navigating a curve with focused concentration. The cyclist is wearing a helmet and sports attire, showcasing a dynamic motion as they lean into the turn.
MTB Tips
How to Ride Sharp Switchbacks on Your Mountain Bike
  3
A person riding a mountain bike, performing a wheelie on a rocky trail surrounded by trees. The rider is wearing a helmet, gloves, and casual athletic clothing, with a focus on balance and technique. The ground features patches of moss and scattered rocks, creating a challenging outdoor environment.
Flat Pedals
Finding Flow with Flat Pedals - MTB Skills
  1
A mountain biker navigating down a rocky slope, surrounded by a mountainous landscape with trees and sunlight breaking through the mist in the background.
MTB Tips
Mountain Bike Smoothly on Slabs and Steeps With These Tips
A close-up view of mountain bike handlebars positioned above a dirt trail surrounded by sparse vegetation and bare trees. The path, showing signs of wear, winds through the landscape.
MTB Tips
Stuck in a Rut? Learn how to Ride Rutted Trails Better!
  7
A person is jumping a mountain bike over an obstacle in a grassy field during a biking event or training session. Several other riders and participants are visible in the background, with trees and a clear sky. Colorful markers are placed on the ground to guide the bikers in their activities.
MTB Tips
Flat Pedals and a Hardtail: Does Equipment Matter When Learning MTB Skills?
  1

[

A person riding a mountain bike navigates a rocky trail surrounded by trees with yellow and orange leaves, indicating autumn. The cyclist wears a blue helmet and a backpack, focusing on the path ahead as they climb uphill through the natural landscape.
MTB Tips
4 Habits that Improved my Technical Climbing
  15
A mountain biker rides along a wooden plank bridge on a forest trail, surrounded by tall trees and a dirt pathway. The biker, wearing a helmet and protective gear, is focused on navigating the trail while showing enthusiasm.
MTB Tips
Skinnies Aren't Scary If You Know How To Ride Them Properly
  12
A split image showing a cyclist on a mountain bike. The left side displays the cyclist leaning too far forward and tipping over while approaching a water bottle, indicated by a red "X." The right side shows the cyclist in a proper riding position, successfully navigating past the water bottle, indicated by a green checkmark. The setting is a tree-lined path.
MTB Tips
How to Ride Flat Corners on Your Mountain Bike
  4
A mountain biker is navigating a rocky terrain, leaning forward on their bike as they descend a steep slope. The background features vibrant red rock formations under a bright blue sky with wispy clouds. The rider is wearing protective gear and appears focused on maintaining balance.
MTB Tips
How to Ride Off-Camber Mountain Bike Trails
  6
Mountain biker navigating a rocky trail, surrounded by trees and a scenic landscape under a partly cloudy sky.
MTB Tips
How to Ride Rock Gardens Like a Boss
  2
A close-up view of a mountain bike tire as it navigates over rocky terrain in a forested area. The background features lush greenery and various sizes of rocks scattered along the trail. The image captures a sense of motion and adventure.
MTB Tips
Which is Trickier to Ride: Rock Gardens or Off-Camber Trails?
  1
A group of four mountain bikers is navigating a rocky trail in a wooded area. One rider, wearing a green helmet and blue shirt, is skillfully maneuvering her bike over a rocky section. Two other bikers, one in a black shirt and the other in a blue helmet, are providing support and encouragement from the side of the trail. The environment is lush with trees and shrubs, highlighting the outdoor adventure setting.
MTB Tips
Will You Hire Coach to Improve Skills or Fitness this MTB Season?
  3
A mountain biker performing a jump on rocky terrain, with one wheel elevated off the ground. The biker is wearing a gray shirt, teal pants, and gloves, riding a black bike with copper-colored wheel rims. In the background, there are trees and a cloudy sky, suggesting an outdoor trail setting.
Flat Pedals
How to Go from Clipless to Flat Pedals for Mountain Biking
  28
A man wearing a red helmet and gloves rides a mountain bike, navigating through a forest with tall trees covered in moss. He is airborne, showing a dynamic pose as he lifts the front wheel over a tree trunk, surrounded by lush greenery.
MTB Tips
How To Thread Your Way Through Tight MTB Trails
  3

[

A mountain biker riding down a narrow, uneven path surrounded by lush green trees and foliage. The trail is lined with rocks and leaves, indicating a rugged outdoor environment.
Dropper Posts
When To Drop (and Raise) Your Bike Saddle [Beginner Tips]
  8
A mountain biker navigating a rocky and root-filled terrain in a dense forest, with tall trees in the background and a large tree stump on the left side of the image. The biker is wearing a helmet and protective gear while focused on maintaining balance on the challenging path.
MTB Tips
How to Ride Roots Without Wrecking
  9
A young cyclist in a maroon t-shirt rides a mountain bike on a wooden track in a grassy area. Red barriers surround the course, with other cyclists visible in the background. The scene captures a sunny day at a biking event.
Hardtail bikes
Should All New Mountain Bikers Start Riding on a Hardtail?
  22
A mountain biker performing a wheelie on a rocky dirt path surrounded by tall pine trees during sunset. The rider is wearing a helmet and cycling gear, showcasing a dynamic pose as he lifts the front wheel off the ground.
MTB Tips
MTB Coach Shares How to Time Mountain Bike Jumps and Break Bad Descending Habits
A mountain biker navigating a dirt trail surrounded by trees and shrubs, leaning into a turn while wearing a helmet and cycling gear. The bike features a blue and orange color scheme.
MTB Tips
How to Mountain Bike Faster, According to a Top Coach
A mountain biker falls off their bike and tumbles onto the ground, creating a cloud of dust. The bike, with a bright blue frame and orange accents, is upside down beside the rider. The scene is set in a grassy area with rocks and wildflowers, and a white fence is visible in the background.
MTB Tips
A Dirt-Nap Master Class, with Yeti EWS Pro Shawn Neer
  4
A person in cycling gear rides a mountain bike on a dirt track surrounded by trees, navigating around colorful cones. The cyclist wears a helmet and sunglasses, showcasing a focused expression as they lean into a turn. In the background, several bicycles are parked, hinting at a biking event or training session.
MTB Tips
Have you Ever Attended an In-Person MTB Skills Clinic?
  4
A mountain biker wearing a teal shirt and white helmet navigates over a rocky terrain, surrounded by trees. The sun is shining in the background, creating a vibrant, natural atmosphere.
Spain
Roxy's MTB Skills Coaching Includes Both Psycho and Somatic Training
A man with long hair stands beside an orange mountain bike in a field of purple wildflowers, with green trees and snow-capped mountains in the background. He is wearing a gray t-shirt and black shorts, smiling confidently at the camera. The scene is set in a bright, outdoor environment showcasing nature.
MTB Tips
MTB Skills Coach Gene Hamilton Talks Fitness and Equipment [Podcast #283]

[

A group of six people wearing helmets and mountain biking gear are gathered around two mountain bikes, engaged in a discussion. One person, standing and gesturing with their hands, appears to be giving instructions or information. The setting is an outdoor space with green trees and a residential area in the background.
MTB Tips
Pioneering Mountain Bike Skills Coach Gene Hamilton [Podcast #282]
  1
A mountain biker performing a jump on a bike trail surrounded by tall pine trees, with a group of spectators visible in the background.
MTB Tips
How High Can You Jump Your Mountain Bike?
  1
A mountain biker in a red shirt and helmet navigates a rocky trail in a forested area, airborne over a large boulder with trees and autumn foliage in the background.
MTB Tips
Jeremiah Stone on MTB Skills, From Climbing to Jumping [Podcast #278]
A cyclist riding a mountain bike on a rocky trail surrounded by tall trees, captured from behind. The rider is wearing a helmet and a gray t-shirt, navigating a steep section of the path with visible dust being kicked up.
MTB Tips
Pro Skills: Braydon Bringhurst Offers His Best Tips for Technical Climbing
  2
A mountain biker in a blue jersey and black shorts rides rapidly on a purple bike through a grassy landscape, with motion blur conveying speed.
Scotland
FKT Record Holder and Coach Rab Wardell Shares his Tips for Going Fast and Building Confidence [Podcast #274]
  1
A mountain biker riding on a rocky trail through a forest, creating a cloud of dust as they navigate the uneven terrain. Surrounding the trail are trees and colorful autumn foliage, adding to the scenic outdoor environment.
Florida
How to Rail Loose or Sandy Mountain Bike Trails
  5
MTB Tips
MTB Instructor Simon Lawton on Teaching New Riders and Riding in Baja [Podcast #273]
A humorous cartoon depicting a boy sitting on the ground holding a piece of paper, looking anxious as a tall person on a bicycle prepares to jump. The tall person, wearing a helmet and a red shirt, says, "Hang on, I'm about to land this jump." The background includes a brick house and a green lawn.
MTB Tips
Virtual MTB Skills Progression [Cartoon]
  3
A low-angle shot of a cyclist performing a trick on a bike, with the bike's wheels in focus against a bright blue sky. The sun shines brightly overhead, and the backdrop includes buildings and trees. The cyclist is wearing casual clothes and has one foot raised off the pedal, showcasing the motion of the stunt.
MTB Tips
Are any Bike Skills Truly Useless?
  6
more articles