Expert Tips: Mountain Biking for Beginners

Mountain biking is exhilarating – but it can be a little intimidating for beginners. From what to wear when riding to finding routes in your local area, there’s a lot of things to get your head around. 

Whether you’re a road cyclist curious about exploring off-road, or completely new to cycling but love the great outdoors, this guide will help you to navigate the exciting world of mountain biking. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about mountain biking for beginners, from the different styles to essential gear. With the right knowledge, you’ll be armed with the confidence to tackle singletrack trails and discover the freedom that comes from riding on dirt, rocks, and roots.

Styles of Mountain Biking 

Mountain biking actually encompasses several different disciplines. Getting to know these different types of mountain biking will help you to decide which one aligns best with your fitness levels, technical skills and local trails – although the best way to find out the style you like the best is to give them all a go!

What is Trail MTB?

Trail mountain biking is the most accessible style for beginners. Unlike some other types of mountain biking which refer to a specific type of racing, there’s no category of racing called ‘trail’ – which means that this style is purely recreational.

It is, essentially, riding on mountain bike trails, which include both ascents and descents. Typically, neither the climbs nor the downhills are extreme, which means it’s perfect for beginners who want to give mountain biking a go and get a feel for what it’s like to ride off-road. Additionally, while there are usually technical features like tree roots, small drops or jumps, and rocks, these can typically be bypassed, so there’s no need to ride over terrain you’re uncomfortable with.

Trail centers and purpose-built networks often cater specifically to this style of mountain biking. So if you’re unsure of where to go, simply head to your local trail center and you’re sure to find something to suit. Trail networks often use difficulty ratings that are similar to ski runs (so green indicates beginner levels on easy mountain bike trails, blue is for intermediate, and black is for advanced riders), which makes it even easier to choose the appropriate trails for your skill level.

What is Cross-Country MTB?

Cross country mountain biking, also known as XC MTB, is a type of mountain biking that involves riding on dirt paths, fire roads, steep climbs, descents and technical sections with rocks or roots. It’s less extreme than downhill or enduro mountain biking, but it’s typically faster and more competitive than the trail style. In fact, it’s the only mountain biking discipline that’s offered at the Olympics – so you can go really far in this style, if you want to!

However, you don’t have to race – you can also just enjoy cross country riding on a casual basis if you prefer. As with trail riding, you can choose the level that you’re most comfortable with, and progress up the colored levels if you like.

XC bikes also differ slightly from trail bikes. While trail bikes are typically heavier, XC bikes are lighter with less suspension, as they’re designed for maximum efficiency and climbing performance. 

What is All-Mountain/Enduro MTB?

The terms ‘all-mountain’ and ‘enduro’ are often used interchangeably, but these styles of mountain biking actually have subtle differences. All-mountain is a recreational riding style across varied terrain (including both uphill and downhill). Enduro, on the other hand, is over similar terrain, but it’s a specific type of race format where only the downhill sections are timed (but riders must also pedal uphill to the top of the climb).

Both styles require bikes that have a more robust suspension, as they’re designed to handle steep, technical descents – while still being capable of climbing back to the top. Enduro and all-mountain both involve tackling challenging terrain, including rock gardens, drops, steep slopes, tight turns at jumps, and they’re typically ridden at higher speeds than trail riding – at least once riders have built up some confidence.

All-mountain and enduro are both exciting types of mountain biking, but they do require more advanced skills than trail and cross country riding – and importantly, they require more confidence. Once you’ve mastered the basics of trail riding, you might want to give enduro a go if you’re drawn to the thrill of descending.

What is Downhill Biking?

As the name implies, downhill biking is all about riding down to the bottom of a descent at speed. The gradients are steep, and they often include features and obstacles like jumps, drops, tight corners and rock gardens – all of which must be navigated at high speed.

Due to the higher speeds and increased risk, downhill riders need to wear more protective gear than other styles of mountain biking, including a full face helmet as well as knee and elbow pads.

Downhill races are usually held at mountain bike centers, which means riders can take advantage of chairlifts to get to the top of the climb – so there’s no need for any arduous pedalling uphill. However, because of the steep descents and the tricky terrain, it’s not necessarily a beginner-friendly style of riding. Many riders progress to downhill after developing in other styles – but if you don’t love descending, there are plenty of other options like trail and XC, too.

Bike Features to Consider

As with road and gravel bikes, there are many different types of mountain bikes – which can make it daunting to choose your first one. It doesn’t need to be complicated, though, especially for your first MTB bike. Here are some key features to look out for.

Tire Width

Mountain bike tires are wider than road bikes, which gives you more traction and stability when riding over loose surfaces. Different tires have different tread patterns, so you’ll need to choose the one that best suits the types of trails you ride. If you’re going to spend a lot of time riding on loose or rocky terrain, then an aggressive tread is best, while hard-packed trails work better with a tread pattern that’s smaller and closer together.

Seat Type

If you’re used to road cycling, you’ll notice that the saddles are quite different. Mountain bike saddles are typically shorter and wider, offering more stability on demanding technical rides. They also usually have more padding than road saddles to help absorb impact from lumps and bumps on the trail.

A dropper post is also a useful feature of mountain bike seats. This allows you to instantly lower the saddle height for descending – lowering your center of gravity and increasing stability – before raising it back up for the climbs.

Bike Suspension

There are two main types of mountain bike suspension: hardtails (which have suspension in the front fork only), and full suspension (which also have rear shock for impact absorption).

Suspension travel is also an important factor. That means how much cushioning the suspension offers. XC bikes usually have the least amount of travel (around 100–120mm), trail bikes have slightly more (roughly 120–150mm), while enduro and downhill bikes offer more suspension travel (150–200mm+), helping riders to tackle rough terrain and big drops.

Bike Weight

The weight of your bike can impact your riding experience, particularly when you’re climbing up hills – and each type of mountain biking has a bike that’s best suited to it. XC bikes are lightweight, designed for speed and easy climbing up the hills. Trail bikes are slightly heavier, while enduro and downhill bikes are the heaviest, designed to be solid and safe when you’re speeding downhill.

The material your bike’s made from impacts how heavy it is. Steel frames are heavier (but very durable), carbon fiber is seriously lightweight (but comes at a premium price), while aluminium offers a good balance between durability and cost.

The weight of your bike is important, but it’s not necessarily worth obsessing over as a beginner mountain biker. Focus on finding a bike that fits well, is comfortable, and suits the types of trails you’ll be riding on. 

Beginner Mountain Biking Gear

When you’re mountain biking, you could be out in all weathers – so it’s important to wear the right clothing. Mountain biking can be fast and furious, so you’ll want to wear protective gear. A properly fitted helmet that’s specifically designed for mountain biking will protect you if you fall, while gloves will improve your grip and keep your hands safe. Additionally, you’ll need comfortable clothing that allows freedom of movement and keeps you warm and dry whatever the weather.

Base Layers

Base layers are the foundation of your mountain biking outfit, and should be worn directly against your skin to help regulate your temperature whatever the weather. 

Cycling Jacket

A good mountain biking jacket should be lightweight, breathable and offer protection from wind and rain to protect you from the elements. Look out for features like reflective details, adjustable hems and over-the-helmet hoods for increased visibility, customizable fit, and all-weather protection.

MTB Shorts or Pants

Mountain bikers typically wear padded liner shorts under outer shorts. The inner layer offers padding to reduce saddle discomfort, while the outer layer offers protection while giving you freedom of movement on the bike. For cooler weather, consider longer mountain bike pants, often made with reinforced knees and water-resistant fabric to protect you from the elements.

Trail Shirt or Jersey

Like road cycling jerseys, mountain bike shirts or jerseys are made from technical fabrics that wick sweat away from your body and dry quickly. However, unlike road cycling jerseys, they have a relaxed fit for comfort and freedom of movement. 

Gloves

When you’re mountain biking, you typically have a tight grip on the handlebars, especially when you’re riding downhill. The vibrations from riding over rough terrain can also take a toll on your hands, so it’s important to look for a comfortable pair of gloves that’ll protect your hands – and they’ll also protect them if you take a tumble.

MTB Etiquette when Hitting the Trails

Mountain biking is a great way to get fit, spend time with friends, and explore the great outdoors. But there are some basic rules to follow, to make sure it’s a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone out on the trails.

Stick to Routes

Mountain biking is a great way to explore – but it’s important to stick to marked trails, both to ensure your safety and help to protect the natural environment. Heading to your local trail center is the best way to find a route that suits your skill level as a beginner. Green trails typically have gradients of between 5-15%, and small obstacles that can be easily bypassed. As you get more comfortable mountain biking, you can work your way up through the levels, always within the safety of the trail network.

Uphill Riders Get Right of Way

If a downhill rider meets an uphill rider when out on the trail, the generally accepted rule is that the rider going uphill has right of way. That’s because downhill riders can more easily control their speed, but it’s difficult to regain momentum if you have to stop while ascending. So, if you’re going downhill, it’s important that you’re always prepared to slow down and yield to other riders if necessary.

Know the User-Yield Triangle

If you’re on a multi-use trail, it’s important to know that there’s a standard yield hierarchy of which user groups should give way:

• Cyclists should yield to hikers

• Cyclists should yield to horse riders

• Hikers should yield to horse riders

That means that the most vulnerable trail users have right of way. When approaching other trail users, you should slow down well in advance, give a friendly greeting, and pass with care.

Take Your Rubbish With You

Always remember the key rule: leave no trace. Always pack out whatever you bring to the trail, including wrappers, bottles, punctured inner tubes, and any other waste. You might want to carry a small trash bag for collecting your garbage to ensure our shared trails remain beautiful and accessible for both trail users and animals.

MTB Gear for Beginners

Ready to start your mountain bike journey? You’ll have a great time hitting the trails – but the right gear can significantly enhance your experience, improving your comfort and performance, as well as providing essential protection as you develop your bike skills.