7 Things To AVOID If You're New To MTB!

So, you're new to Mountain Biking and want to know what to do!? Can you wear any shoes when riding bikes? Is MTB riding protection worth it? Can I hit any MTB jump? Join Blake Samson as he answers a whole load of MTB questions, giving you the best tips & tricks on what to do as a beginner rider and what NOT to do!
⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 - Intro
0:26 - Protection
1:59 - Know your limits
3:07 - Confidence
3:57 - Riding position
4:30 - Crank arm position
5:50 - Gear selection
7:23 - Pedalling not pumping
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[@gmbn]

Do you have any beginner tips to share with the GMBN community? Drop them down below to help out! 👇

[@BentonvilleMTB]

Could you use a new presenter located in Bentonville just to demonstrate on camera all the ways to be stupid on a mountain bike to help people avoid them?

[@_odaxelagnia]

DO NOT BE AFRAID TO USE YOUR FRONT BRAKE!!! Almost all my friends are new to mtb and i noticed that they slow down using only rear brake and when questioned why, they are unanimously say "front brake is scary"

[@anitalandkroon]

@@_odaxelagnia I do that to 😬😬

[@YourRockin]

maybe don't hug the saddle with the knees while turning

[@killjoy8914]

Have good insurance and i don't mean for the bike . Don't forget the eye protection and gloves . Learn to bail and to push the bike away and then landing i.e. duck tuck and roll ...hitting the ground like a sack of potatoes will ruin a week or two maybe even six to seven .

[@allweathermtb]

I not watching because I'm a beginner, I whatching to find all my mistakes I made

[@jimimurray9601]

Same

[@flxt_mtb9632]

Yeah same

[@fiz7x908]

Same

[@darius4905]

Same 😅

[@Jacoblawrence2370]

Same

[@RobertSchuster68]

I’m riding MTB since 30 years. I learned everything intuitive on myself. My level: I can survive a lot … but for the first time in my life, I learned about 3-o’clock 9-o’clock! Thanks

[@dylanm3519]

A good way I've found to change gears on hills is to speed up the peddle enough so that the bike moves faster and takes pressure off the gearing, and then change the gear. So a few fast peddles and then coast for a split second and change gears.

[@cdav2199]

Exactly my method to avoid snapping a chain! (Learnt the hard way lol)

[@Zaquerooni]

Yup get momentum up the hill and then let off pressure

[@Avram1919]

Thank you. That makes perfect sense 👌. Gonna try on my next ride

[@insertgenericnamehere7774]

Picking my first bike up this Friday, and i'm superexcited! My helmet, kneepads and pump arrived today, so now all i'm missing is the bike itself. Just wanted to say thanks for all i've learned by watching you guys!

[@killjoy8914]

That's just the start but it's a good start.

[@melwestlake8539]

It's an addiction so be ready!! A great one though. Enjoy that new bike!!

[@insertgenericnamehere7774]

​@@melwestlake8539 An addiction indeed.. I've had to literally force myself to not touch it for a day, and that day went by quite slowly. It is so much fun!

[@eddyfusely503]

Enjoy your new bike and (new?) hobby. Ride safely

[@agrippa7712]

@@insertgenericnamehere7774 how’s your new bike riding?

[@darius4905]

As always thanks for all the tips and amazing energy Blake!❤

[@graham2167]

Avoid buying an expensive bike before finding out if you truly like mountain biking.

[@1911Zoey]

The expert mountain bikers on a budget love it when beginners do tho. Cheaper nice bikes on the used market. 😅

[@gmbn]

Great point! That could be one costly mistake! Although, who doesn't love mountain biking when they first start? 😂

[@Thedoug369]

I'm not a beginner, I just love watching Blake's videos, dude cracks me up 😂

[@Porkfryedbrice]

Getting back into MTB pretty heavy at the moment and I appreciate and enjoy your content. Thank you. Fun videos; great humor :)

[@gmbn]

Great to hear & welcome back!! 🤘

[@jacobbeers1136]

Same! Great username!

[@hotelbergen8858]

Thanks blake this helped me out A LOT! im a mountainbiker in growth and can use some tips so thanks GMBN!

[@gmbn]

Glad to hear it!

[@Zaquerooni]

This is awesome thanks! I'm a beginner and I kinda picked up on the pedal position stuff on my own and using your arms and legs as suspension. Learning a lot of new stuff as well.

[@DonTangosDungeon]

I especially love all the XC related Tips! :D

[@CLH126]

Charming chap! Subscribed, Thx.

[@CT37BN]

Great tips, honestly all very useful. This is a top review/tips episode.

[@gmbn]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks! 👊

[@danielb.4205]

Thank you Blake, I love with how much fun you explain things. Made some of the mistakes you spoke about. Some you only make once (like pedaling on rought terrain, until you hit the first rock/root). Best moment: when you explain, that when you don't pedal on a climb you might fall over 🤣.

[@tomalleeson4573]

I'm an on going beginner. Thanks again for the great tips, and the incredible way that you present them Blake!

[@juannabike1180]

I’m a beginner and this is really helpful.. thanks! 😊

[@KirksAuto]

Awesome videos, I appreciate them, iterates a few things I already have learned, and also helps be coach my kids on the bike

[@jeremyknapp892]

Thanks GMB! Great video and inspiring me to get a cheap bike and have some fun!

[@ovaclavek]

I love videos with Blake. I really do.

[@fiz7x908]

The trails there are so sick!! 🚵

[@lowcosttravelclub]

Blake = best content! 👍

[@stulpnerkarl6062]

"You watching this Video, cause you're a beginner..." No... I'm watching this video, because of You, Blake! Thx man for these nice tips! Love the content! 😎💚

[@davidscheibl542]

"I can nail that jump. Yeah yeah yeah! " That exactly how i broke my collarbone and a rib 2,5 weeks ago. Overconfidence and good ol' stupidity 😬

[@1911Zoey]

Rip. Get well soon man. How high of a jump was it?

[@davidscheibl542]

Thanks m8. The jump wasnt that spetacular or high. Only the crash was really badass... I think my bone broke due to me crashing into a little hill that stopped me very suddenly. But it was defenitely a jump i should not have taken as a beginner due to the landing area... I was high on adrenalin and the great skill progression i made on that and previous days. Feeling invincible with my new body armor. So on the last ride bevor i wanted to make a break the Part of my brain responsible for risk assesment shut down. Just wanted to highlight: overconfidence: not good 🙄

[@davidgeiger8620]

Hardtail+ Blake=must watch

[@aliens1990990]

im not a beginner i just like blake the bloke is a legend!!

[@brodiedaveyyy5584]

Let’s go new video out 🤙

[@gmbn]

🎉

[@simonchaddock3694]

Nice one blake good vid

[@gmbn]

Glad you enjoyed it Simon!

[@stefanbollinger4808]

Great video, especially the recommendation to avoid trails above your personal limit is very true! If you are still in the Nauders area, I would love to see you riding the Haideralm Flowtrail. I did it twice this week amongst higher rated trails in this area and found it highly underrated and far from flowy. Definately not a beginner trail though rated blue. Sure you would shred it ;-)

[@gmbn]

Thanks for the feedback! We'd love to give it a shot sometime... sounds fun!

[@markbayhon]

I would also suggest to wear gloves and elbow pads and clear eye protection, as chances of crashing for beginners is a bit high. Those MTB trails could have sharp small pebbles along the way. And my new bike comes with a bike stand :P should I remove it? Sometimes wearing all the protection feels uncomfortable when people look at you. I will remember all the tips here. :)

[@1911Zoey]

Is it an integrated bike stand or the modular one? Also, to hell what people think. Dress for the crash, a quote that will always remain true for mountain bikes and motorcycles.

[@d.b.cooper170]

I agree with Marcus. Dress for the crash, don't care what people think. If you can get rid of the Kickstand then I would. Wouldn't be good to land a small jump just for your kickstand to deploy and cause you to crash. Talk with the people who look at ya weird. Ask them for tips. Most people will be nice and help you out if they can, some might be pricks but just ignore those people. The biggest thing is "Have fun". If having fun means wearing an excessive amount of armor and short shorts, go for it. People might look at ya weird, but you're having fun and not hurting anyone.

[@markbayhon]

@@1911Zoey thanks for the reply. I will remove the bike stand as it seems they added it as it is a freebie upon purchase. I am starting into MTB and just have an XC bike. Also I will not think what people think wearing all the protective gears. :)

[@douglaspate9314]

Brilliant. Just bought a mountain bike so this was perfect!

[@gmbn]

Enjoy your new bike Douglas! What did you get?

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

In the 1990's when I was wearing my motocross gear to roam closed ski stations people really laughed hard at me, then it became normal to wear protective gear & people think you're a fool going for gravity unprotected.

[@em1355]

Great video, they are really helpful!! Older person here, over 60, have been biking (mostly trails, not too technical and don't plan on it either, but still want to be more proficient with my bike skills). Videos for maybe someone like myself....Small drops, getting over small to medium size logs on the trail, how best to approach curvy steep trails and the surface has lots of small rocks to gravel, cornering or When riding parallel to a steep curb and one has to get on the curb without getting off the bike. I am a non-ebike user as I am still relatively fit for my age, but I know my limits, therefore prefer not too technical trails as I use my MT more for being out in the woods and yet still have the bike capabilities to handle relatively "easy" technical trails. I watch the crash and fails, put them on .25 or .50 speed so that I can observe the body position of the bikers to see what they did wrong. Maybe, a video of the crash and fails, whereby you slow it down and dissect the riders body position that most likely caused the crash. Thanks again! Really like your videos!!

[@gmbn]

Great to hear E M! We're glad you're enjoing the content. We used to do a series like that actually, called 'Crash Course' with Neil. Look them up by searching 'Crash Course GMBN' and you'll probably find them

[@em1355]

@@gmbn Thanks for the response. Will look them up. Until then, keep up the GREAT WORK!!

[@bagofchips55]

The faster you go, the smoother it is. -- good advise, sometimes

[@Zaquerooni]

Yeah I learned real quick momentum and body suspension is the best way over loose rocks. Any time I hesitate is when I fall.

[@dnlvrl8832]

For me it was learning to avoid short intermitent breaking, you realy ain't gona dump speed if you use your brakes for half a second because the suspension doesn't have time to settle, but it's gonna buckle you which might make you wanna break again. Most times you can resist the urge a cuople of meters and reach easier terrain where you can realy drop the anchor or better yet learn when to go slower than you could on easier ground, even almost completly stopping, so you can let the bike roll all the technical section that's coming up.

[@Motoadventurespr]

Very good video 😎

[@hydroelement9349]

Can I have your Nukeproof Scout?? It's gotta be one of the coolest bikes I've ever seen.

[@mtbkid219]

Even though I'm not a beginner I just love watching these videos.

[@gmbn]

Great to hear you're still loving the content!

[@garrickjohnson9238]

Some good advise

[@JasonFoxLCB]

I have never made the mistake of having too much confidence. At least not on a bike. 😂

[@traviss3913]

agreed.

[@marcusrobinson-Live4Love]

Great video.

[@gmbn]

Thanks for the visit

[@danielmorawek6532]

Hey, a little off topic, but can we get a bike check for Blake’s new Scout 290? I am personally interested, because I am currently building the same frame up and think his loos super cool 😎

[@Chubacca838]

Great timing! Literally sent my bike to the shop yesterday to get it fit and ready after a 5 years hiatus. Time to get back to the basics!

[@Biking4Fun]

Tried my 1st step up today and went a little bit OTB. I definitely should have not been so confident 😂

[@JC-km5xw]

you probably just sent to hard man don't worry about it

[@shreyasjadhav1919]

Always do carry a puncture repair kit & first aid kit.

[@clearcreek69]

I like the small turnout at the 2:40 mark available to riders if they want to take an easier way & don't want to fly over a 10ft jump.

[@j.albertogratacos2076]

I would like to emphasize the problem of coasting while dragging brakes. I've seen quite a few riders coasting at below average speed because there is a turn at the end of the straight. If they learned to brake hard at the end using the control that one-finger braking gives you, they would have enjoyed a much faster trail before the turn.

[@NOXMnMl1]

Blake when are you going to finish your van ?

[@anitalandkroon]

practice makes perfect 🤩 mtb as much as you can 😃😃😃 and have a lot of fun .

[@gmbn]

Totally agree! ⬆️🙌

[@traficgalati5758]

Freeride ski is also a fun sport. First thing is to know your limits.

[@user-bd9jo7dy7i]

I really love that bike😩🔥🔥

[@markbils4179]

I think it's good to watch as you pick up bad habits like dho hope everyone is getting ready for winter riding lol 😂

[@jameskim7266]

One thing i'm struggling with is, how do you keep your knee pads on and in place while wearing trousers?

[@lecolintube]

I’m not a beginner… I’m watching for a friend 😬 Seriously though I’d add having some kind of eye wear 👓🕶Nothing worse than hitting a bug at speed (and it always seems to happen right when you need it not too 😜).

[@hokiepokie]

I don't know, I love going without eye wear. I feel like interactions with hikers and other trail users are a lot better and friendlier without glasses.

[@simonm1447]

@@hokiepokie without glasses it's just a question of time until you get bugs or insects into your eyes. You don't have to use colored glasses, normal clear ones are sufficient

[@Saturday_ProFuel]

We're not beginners. We just love Blake and GMBN.

[@chatokingarmorking]

thanks guys

[@ivansemanco6976]

Pink helmet is only for pro riders at KZbin or is suitable for beginners also? 😂 My wife never forgot mention this when Im watching your video Blake. Thanks for advices.

[@athiftsabit1208]

Blake + NP scout = smile

[@gmbn]

Best equation ever! ⬆️

[@athiftsabit1208]

@@gmbnmake those Karens regret and obliterated by MTB community kzbin.info1ctBAMvDQj4?feature=share

[@Callasn20]

Im surprised they didn't talk about turning off shocks when ascending. A stiffer bike makes your bike more efficient during a climb so if it's easy (and terrain allows) I turn off my shocks to save energy.

[@Yozzer72]

When did Blake go full 29er?

[@davideliashegglundgundersen]

How do i start i want to mtb soo much

[@LocoRigida]

Nice drops in a hardtail

[@petebates6576]

"You're watching this video because you're a beginner..." *me, 37 years old with, just got back into biking last year after stopping riding when I was 19, sitting at work with a mouthful of last night's Chinese dinner...: "You bet Blakey!"

[@gobindakc5888]

Is your bike tubeless?

[@bradleyterpstra4202]

question for you guys at GMBN. I noticed that some of your bikes have a gps type device that displays stats such as distance and average speed. Could you please direct me as to where I can get one like those?

[@gmbn]

Hey Bradley! We tend use the Garmin Edge. The channel is supported by Garmin, so we use a lot of their products. We'd highly recommend them; however other brands are available. Hope this helps! 👍

[@smogy001]

Im guilty of that 6-12 o'clock mistake and it hurts me time and time again

[@Zaquerooni]

I seem to struggle a little bit on some trails as a beginner avoiding lines I don't want to take. It's like mentally I want to avoid that rock but subconsciously I lean right into it. Is there a technique to avoiding obstacles? I know to look ahead of you further but at lower speed I seem to accidentally swerve off trails sometimes

[@daydodog]

People tend to go where they look. So try not to look at where you don't want to go and instead look at where you want to go.

[@Velo1010]

Of all the protection the helmet, knee/shin pads, gloves, and glasses are the must haves. The others are little overkill. The other protection shouldn’t be used by a beginner because they shouldn’t be on trails that are that difficult.

[@ripapa6355]

I wear body armour on some xc trails. You can make anything sketch if you ride poorly enough🤣

[@pcdude2394]

Also when you think you’re going to crash going downhill, you will crash. Do not brake speeding down loose gravel trail.

[@caroliro]

Look where you want to go NOT where you don’t.

[@Zaquerooni]

This is excellent advice thank you

[@Mirty_Mtb]

Hey, quick question, when’s the time when i am not called a begginer anymore? Like what’s the benchmark of an average rider

[@Zaquerooni]

Probably when you can bomb down steep Rock gardens lol. And I'm far from it.

[@n8_vel868]

Some people say if I lower my saddle angle the butt pad back but I learned why you shouldn't do that, you can probably guess why. Some may say I'm not leaning back far enough behind the seat but no on some huck to flat drops the tip of the saddle would find a place it didn't intend on going😂😂😂

[@88davidw]

B LAKE 😍

[@akihirozheng9273]

Crank position is the common mistakes that may friends do...🤦🤦🤦

[@ilanpi]

The most important protection, after the helmet is gloves. Apart from not mentioning this, you're setting a fine example by not wearing any. The reason gloves are important is that when you crash, you will likely land on your hands, and damage them. Most people need functional hands to work, e.g., at a computer, this means that protecting the hands is most critical, apart from saving your life. P.S. How could you overlook this?

[@theedit4263]

2:00 I’m watching this just after breaking my arm

[@bobothericefarmer1878]

agreed

[@davegravitt210]

For shoes. Always for myself. A pair of sport steel toes!

[@valterfreitas6473]

Hi Blake, I like your knee pads 👌what size is it? 👍🏼

[@Mr.Falcon541]

My tip is to buy your own size knee pads not him.

[@gavreel7465]

Our trail here is much fun because some dogs chase you it adds more adrenaline 😆

[@harimathur2191]

Where do you actually draw the line between 'psyched up' and ' over confident'? When I'm psyched up and mentally prepared to tackle a hard terrain, my friends say am over confident... ???!!??

[@TimonCernak]

How did you guys make that thumbnail 🤔

[@gmbn]

With a great team behind the camera! 😉

[@downhill64]

Can't wait till I turn pro so I don't have to wear any protection gear

[@GokiGandalf]

Finding your lv is the most important thing for me, because the second you try shit way out of your league bad things will happen and you can even hurt your self horibly..

[@gmbn]

That's very true - Always ride within your comfort zone and progress to bigger things when the time is right! 🤘

[@mattweege7943]

Don't try new skills when riding alone. Have a riding partner if confidence exceeds ability.

[@madisonmecham9546]

My sister and I went to biking today and I was too confident and then I crashed...

[@gmbn]

Ouch! It's a steep learning curve when you feel too confident! 😅

[@jimimurray9601]

Hello

[@gmbn]

👋

[@daray666]

Don‘t make the mistake i have time and time agein, which is to think that a better bike and or equipment will make you a better rider. A longer geometry, 20mm more suspension or an AXS derailleur won‘t make you miraculously master trails your weren‘t able to do before. Practice and invest the money on lesseons with a bike coach rather than parts and bikes.

[@Icehso140]

# 8...Avoid watching videos more than actually riding. The GMBN videos are great...but no substitute for riding. LOL

[@mickshred2886]

don't look at the object you are trying to avoid, like trees, look where you want to go.

[@my_random_username]

Know your limits My dumbass brain “i have no limits”

[@NicolaDiMarco]

It genuinely looks terrifying

[@mtblover]

Not a beginner but who can skip a Blake video? Only all the non beautiful people 🤣🤣🤣

[@gmbn]

Very true! 😂

[@hanslidlwagen4115]

I wear thick trail boots when it comes to shoes. Just a bit heavier than my running shoes.

[@yru435]

Don't start on a hardtail.

[@jacyris8520]

Would anyone here mind giving me any mountain bike parts? I want to construct a bicycle. Any component of a mountain bike can be useful.

[@if5315]

I’m not a beginner I’m just bored

[@yuglobalcitizen2246]

My tip: follow someone who is better than u.

[@ZAPAYARA]

I AM NOT A BEGINNER I DONT EVEN DO IT I WATCH IT FOR ENTERTAINMENT