Skyblue Guide to Getting Started in Mountain Biking

Mountain biking can be intimidating with gear, techniques and trails to consider. Here’s our Skyblue Guide to help you get started for maximum outdoor fun.

With countless possibilities for exhilarating experiences and stunning landscapes all over the world, mountain biking offers an incredible way to connect with nature. However, for beginners, figuring out how to enter this thrilling sport can seem overwhelming. Along with the numerous opportunities that await, there is also a vast array of gear, techniques, and trails to navigate. It may seem daunting at first, but having a basic understanding of mountain biking before you hit the trails will ensure maximum enjoyment. After all, the ultimate goal is to have fun and explore the great outdoors.

Here is our Skyblue Guide to getting started in mountain biking:

Table of Contents

Article Navigation: Click on any of the listed items in the table of contents below to jump to that section of the article. Similarly, clicking on any large, white section header will jump you back to the Table of Contents.

• Choosing a Bike
• Accessories & Other Necessities
• Where to Ride Your New Mountain Bike
• Take a Class & Learn Basic Technique
• Volunteer & Give Back

Choosing a Mountain Bike

Buying a mountain bike is a big commitment. It’s not unusual to roll up to a trailhead and see a $6,000 bike sitting on top of a $2,000 car. Unless you’re really good at imaginary braapping, you’re going to need a bike. There are a couple main points to think about when looking for your first mountain bike.

Mountain bikers riding along a dirt road under Mount Bachelor Oregon

What kind of riding will you be doing?

Sure, we all love watching videos of the pros hucking big air and ripping technical trails, but it’s important to be realistic about the type of riding you’ll actually be doing. Get an idea for what types of trails are available in your area, and what style of riding appeals to you. There are specific mountain bikes for specific types of riding, as well as bikes that can do a little bit of everything. You’ll get the chance to try out different styles when you demo bikes. Getting an idea of what trails you’ll be riding most often — be it smooth flow trails, dirt forest roads, or technical downhill trails — will help you choose a proper pony (aka mountain bike).

Think long-term:

Do you see yourself progressing and wanting to upgrade in a year? In 3? Should you skip the in-between-more-affordable-bike step and spend abit more now to avoid spending more later? Are you keen to eventually make trips to Whistler’s bike park? A hardtail 29er won’t be great for charging down A-Line… Want to go on multi-day bikepacking adventures? A 6-inch travel bike without a lockout isn’t going to be ideal for long days in the saddle… Thinking ahead can save you a lot of time, money, and hassle and help you get a bike that’ll best suit your needs both now and in the future.

Mountain Bike Styles & Features

After some introspection, it’s time to start looking at bikes. Things can get confusing, with many different specs like wheel size, suspension, and different styles of riding, but don’t fear. The next step is actually putting some tires to dirt, and demoing different mountain bikes. A couple things to think about when doing background research to help you pick your next mountain bike are the style of bike and features.

There are several styles of mountain bikes, built to handle different kinds of terrain. Thinking about the kind of trails you’ll be riding is a great way to narrow down the different styles of bikes. Check out our full guide on mountain bike styles.

Once you have a general idea of what style of mountain bike you want to try, it’s time to do some research on the different parts that make up the bike. There is a lot that goes into making a mountain bike ride the way it does, with each component playing a part. While some mountain bikers obsess over each and every component on their bike, there are a couple main areas to focus on.

Mountain biker on the Dirty Bismark trail near Boulder, Colorado

Wheel Size:

Although geometry plays a huge role in how a bike handles, the general rule of thumb is that bigger wheels roll better over obstacles, while smaller wheels are more maneuverable.

Frame Size & Geometry:

Most mountain bikes offer on an extremely low standover height, so the traditional method of standing over the bike flat-footed doesn’t really work. Consequently, mountain bike manufacturers use Small, Medium, Large sizing and give their own size recommendations based roughly on your height.

Suspension:

Bumpier trails with hefty drops and big jumps typically warrant more suspension (i.e. longer travel). On the other hand, high mileage singletrack and tighter, technical terrain that involves a fair amount of pedaling tends to benefit from less suspension (i.e. shorter travel).

Guide: Mountain Bike Wheel Size

Guide: Mountain Bike Geometry & Frame Size

Guide: Mountain Bike Suspension

Rental Mountain Bikes

After ogling the latest and greatest on the glowing screen, it’s time to get out and try some bikes. Renting is really the best way to find out what bike is right for you. Testing before you ride can help you decide on things like wheel size, frame size, and flat out what feels best (although the least technical, ‘feel’ should trump all else). Make sure the rental bike is set up properly, from suspension sag to the position of the brakes on the handlebars. If you have pedals already, bring those for the rental. Ride it like you own it, don’t be scared because it’s not yours. Make sure you take notes after your ride, too, that’ll help you remember the subtle differences between mountain bikes. At evo, the price of up to three rentals will be applied to the price of a bike.

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