Maximize Your Braking Power | MTB Skills: Practice Like a Pro #33

[@mannyfnsc29]

Braking technique is something I never really think about. This is probably your most helpful video for me yet. Simon really focuses on the small details you just don't consider and they make a huge difference. Thank you! .. and thanks Linnea. Awesome job again.

[@Fluidride]

I wasn't sure if we could fill a whole episode with just braking... boy was I wrong 🤣 I'm happy these finer details resonate for you as well. Thanks for all your support Manny!! -Linnea

[@jc10747]

“True modulation”. Excellent definition, demo and debunk.

[@davidluhr]

Something really effective to try: before braking, load and unload the bike with your feet, and then as you come back down, load very heavily through your feet as you begin braking. By making the bike extremely heavy, you'll be amazed at how much traction and braking power you can create. Often when doing the flat ground exercises with loose over hard pack, you can stop in about 25% of the distance. This works great on downhills as well. Obviously this isn't always possible when going down obstacles, but even in these scenarios, you can often get most of your braking done quickly before or between obstacles, and then modulate as needed for the rest.

[@Fluidride]

While this can be helpful, you should be able to get full loading through the legs from the power of braking alone when your position is correct. That said, in certain instances, loading the legs in a more forceful way can help.

[@daveennis6411]

Love the longer format. As always, brilliantly broken down in to understandable parts. thanks!

[@Fluidride]

Thanks for your support Dave, and I'm happy this format is effective! -Linnea

[@idhvew8]

Thank you again for another awesome video! Really appreciate this series and all you guys do for the biking community!

[@Fluidride]

Thank You. That means a lot to us. We get up stoked to work each day thanks to comments just like this one:). -Simon

[@kevinh4631]

Linnea, I really like how you and Simon get things broken down into the What, How, When and WHY one does things on the bike. Really makes the learning easier and more "remember-able". Keep up the good work. Sweet Stoppie too!

[@timcrowley272]

Race Caddy!! I am in that sounds like a blast!

[@barbbrazes869]

Love when Simon does more demos!!

[@reverentalexanderchezeley-6367]

Again brilliant. Thanks both.

[@encoresurfacing84]

I saw this lesson and practiced on a steep 6 foot slope with roots. The next day I was riding an advanced section that joined the regular trail. It had a steep drop about 12 feet, with roots and rocks. No problem,I knew. Then two bikers shot down that trail and I had to brake and slow to a crawl to keep from hitting them and knocking them into the trees. Your instructions ,of course, worked, I kept control and was able to miss them. Thank you.

[@Fluidride]

Wow this is such wonderful feedback - thank you! It's so cool that you went out there to practice and took the time to isolate the skill. So pumped it's making a difference for you! -Linnea

[@stephenjaguar69]

Great video. Lots of great braking advice to work on. Thanks.

[@dunin.majewski]

great video, you can see the developing path, which gives you a better perspective to understand what is happening and why.

[@Fluidride]

Thanks for watching! And that was absolutely our goal with this episode - so happy to read your comment. I didn't realize skidding was slowing me down so much 😬 -Linnea

[@reallifemtb]

Another excellent tutorial on one of the least recognized and most underrated skills...great work! I laughed, I cried (ok maybe from laughing) I walked away with new knowledge...that’s a win!!

[@mrmarcel22]

@21:43 When she said, "Wait, Did you tell them before you tell me?" 🤣🤣🤣

[@enriquepena5008]

Greetings I tell you that watching the video of the descent at the root and I was in shock, good job. success and forward!

[@gregorypheiffer1438]

Really enjoy your videos, they are super informative and break things down so well! Thank you for sharing. Looking forward to the next one.

[@Fluidride]

Thanks for watching, and for your support Gregory! -Linnea

[@richardvandevelde2655]

Very nice instruction, specially for experienced bikers who still want to improve 😉, thanks

[@Twitch0331]

Discovering how helpful the front brake is on steep descents revolutionized my riding. Brake modulation makes such a huge difference.

[@Fluidride]

I'm pumped you've already worked on this - what a game changer. I had no idea I was losing that much time on braking 😬 -Linnea

[@sylvainvanier4300]

Great video Simon! Love your instruction and coaching.

[@Fluidride]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate the kind words. -Simon

[@UltraBuitre]

That stoppie was siiiick :)

[@hopNglo]

Another awesome video. Thanks you two.

[@Fluidride]

Thanks for watching hopNglo! - Coach Kagen

[@chriswood9693]

This may be your best video.

[@mtbtrailspov5538]

Great videos! big help in developing MTB skills...

[@Fluidride]

So happy they are helping - and thanks for watching! -Linnea

[@mtbtrailspov5538]

@@Fluidride your welcome...

[@s54b32i]

Great stuff!

[@brakeace]

Awesome to see these braking drills!

[@Fluidride]

Thanks BrakeAce! Have you gotten a chance to try them yourself? - Coach Kagen

[@jc10747]

Excellent again. Dominant hand on front brake? Old school Euro roadie setup, changed by Shimano for US marketing. But better dexterity with dominant hand allows more subtle use of front brake. And it helps with bottles and feeding on the fly, with less endo risk while still some braking with non dominant hand on rear brake.

[@Fluidride]

Good points. I learned that bikes are set up the way they are for hand signals on the road. Who knew? Makes sense to do what you suggest - especially for those who ride moto.

[@TheButlerNZ]

When I try and get someone into MTB'ing I get them to do a little abrupt braking at slow speed on a gravel road so they can see that loosing the front is not really that bad.. and with a few more tries they can get the tyre to skid and release the brakes without putting a foot down, and then braking without skidding. When i was getting people to ride trailbikes it was much the same, except with the mass of a motorbike theere is a little more time between skid and eating dirt... so as they get more confidant, the "trailbikers stomp" where you loose the front, foot off the peg, kick the ground and back on the peg (or slide the foot) and the split second longer you hold the bike from eating the dust, the more chance the front catches and you survive the loss of front traction (very helpful in mud or roots but it also worked for a road racer friend who did this in a race over railway tracks..). I still think some of my best riding (on trailbikes) was on my old '86 Yamaha IT200s that had good disk front but useless rear drum brakes that failed usually after 1hr riding... I got used to getting all my braking before the corner (sometimes getting the rear in the air) then off the brakes, on the throttle and round the corner... Hilarity ensued when I got it wrong... but because I learned to use NO brakes in the corner, my cornering was better... Later bikes had good rear brakes... which just stand the bike UP in a corner... and I was back in bad habits... Now I have an old Giant Faith with excellent brakes (last owner put a 200mm disk on the back so you only need to look at the lever and the bike slows down... but that means I'm back in a bad habbit of dragging the rear into a corner... more thought.. more practice...

[@givreycham]

Great video and a really well explained technique....

[@Fluidride]

Thanks Givreycham, glad you liked it! -Kagen, Fluidride Coach

[@grahamreeve5209]

Got to try this

[@Fluidride]

Go give it a try Graham! Let us know how it goes for you. 🤘🏼- Coach Kagen

[@mattmikuska]

these videos are just so good.

[@Fluidride]

So happy to hear this - we appreciate you watching, Matt!

[@superawesomefuntimego]

Thanks for all the great content Simon and Linnea! I need to get signed up for your Air 201 this Thursday Simon, my air skills need help (Other things as well of course, but want jump help at the moment).

[@Fluidride]

I'm here for you Jason! Looking forward to more riding together! -Simon

[@dropclutch1]

My rear brake went out a few years ago and I didn't know how to bleed/fix it so I just rode front brake only for months. Probably one of the best things that has happened for my riding, other than losing the ability to shift and losing 1st and 2nd gear for months 😂

[@Fluidride]

Love it when something 'bad' turns into something good! Might be a liability issue or perhaps I'd recommend it to others🙂. Losing the first couple of gears...so both strength and technique. Good stuff. -Simon

[@illgazillion]

I love that you are using Evil Bikes! I absolutely love my 2021 Offering V2.

[@Fluidride]

Wow - those are hard to get!! I got to ride one for a week, it was insane. And Simon loves his. -Linnea

[@Twitch0331]

"Loose is fast and on the edge of control." - Robert Duvall in Days of Thunder. I think of that as I'm skidding my way down a descent. 🤣😁

[@warrencarswell7814]

And as I watch and laugh

[@Twitch0331]

@@warrencarswell7814 Aaaaaaand you run into a tree. Or a creek. Or a sign. Or another tree... 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Fluidride]

Such a great movie! Makes you wonder if car racing aphorisms can be applied to bikes as well? Interesting topic of discussion. - Coach Kagen

[@predathor696]

Back to basics 🤟🏽

[@Ribr1717]

Thank you!

[@bulentergun7258]

Thanks for sharing this amazing video.

[@Fluidride]

Thanks for watching!

[@82motorhead]

Love the bike bro🤘 now we just got to get some double trouble on your vids 😁

[@jurgentrockenbau9321]

Very important one. Great!👌🏻

[@allgonewrong16]

Do you cover braking skills in any of your public courses? This is so helpful! Also, if you ever offered a technical descending course on lower predator that would be so awesome!

[@Fluidride]

We do cover this in some of our classes. We used to offer a Lower Predator course. We should start that back up! Good call. -Simon

[@colinbarbeau8678]

Wowzer!

[@felesfan]

Baking technique is much benefit to me. May i know if it can apply to downstair and long downstairs in the trail?

[@Fluidride]

It applies to any downhill. Just be careful if you are practicing on stairs!

[@felesfan]

@@Fluidride so when running on stairs, it should apply the rear brake first and then adding the front if not enough braking, Or vice versa. Which way you suggest for running downstairs?

[@ZillaYT]

Great content

[@mrsmartypants_1]

Tell me you’re old without telling me you’re old. “Skidding is bad.” 😂😂. Kids love to skid. I still love to skid and drift (at intended moments). As usual I learned a few things when I didn’t think I would. Thanks.

[@Fluidride]

Hahaha ok yes skidding is super fun 🤘 We thought about doing a skids video... maybe to come! 🤪 -Linnea

[@mrsmartypants_1]

@@Fluidride That would be great. And kudos for clear, concise instructional vids. Some of the very best mtb content out there.

[@jc10747]

19:10 & 19:20. Great balance and useful progression from stoppie session. And 100% proof that without the dropper post Linnea would be flying!

[@KasimirBlanco]

In the beginning the coach points out that her back foot is level/tilted forward. After 11minutes, at the end of the first drill, it still is in the same position... Would have been great if this had been addressed as well.

[@Shultzchet]

I understand looking up as opposed to looking down at the handlebars and forks, but I can only look up so much, and if I'm coming to a stop I am going to look at the point I would like to stop at, so a long ways back I'm looking up but when I actually stop I'm looking down. On the trail however I am usually slowing down and not braking so I still look at the farthest point out on the trail I can see to find a clear line. I took the motorcycle safety course to get my motorcycle license and we were doing braking drills and they ere having us stop at the cone but they were trying to have us basically look at the bush on the other side of the parking lot a long ways infront of us and that doesn't work for me, if there is a tree or car immediately infront of me that I'm trying to stop before hitting I can look at it but if I'm trying to stop at a spot on the ground I need to look at that spot on the ground.

[@Fluidride]

Using your peripheral vision is a very useful technique and likely what they were trying to teach you in your motorcycle course. That said, the same techniques don't work for all riders. From the sounds of it, you have a solution that works for you. Looking 2-3 seconds ahead on a mountain bike is a great rule of thumb.

[@robr3939]

I have literally no idea how you could roll that last overhang!

[@AdamMock]

This was exactly what I needed to to see. I use my back brake almost exclusively and my front brake gets no love. Can’t wait to practice this. Does this same front brake modulation work in turns as well? I’m always worried about washing out if using a front brake in turns.

[@kevinh4631]

If trying this in turns it can definitely cause the front to wash out, especially in flatter or loose turns. I've made this mistake before! Ended badly and bloody! Basically you want your braking to be done BEFORE you even enter the turn. They did a great episode about braking before turns a few weeks back. Cant remember which one it was though. Alot of times braking IN the turn can cause your bike to stand up on you and will make things go bad fast.

[@AdamMock]

@@kevinh4631 appreciate the advice!

[@Fluidride]

If you have to break in a turn, you should modulate really well, and if the turn is sharp, you should let off your front brake as you start to hand steer to avoid front end washout. Of course when you can finish braking before a turn, you should!

[@AdamMock]

@@Fluidride thank you so much!

[@kevinh4631]

@@Fluidride Makes perfect sense, I think that is what I did wrong a couple times. In a sharper type turn was breaking too late and when I tired hand steering the front washed out and I went down with a sudden and HARD thud. Learned the lesson the "hard way".

[@soultribe9]

Awesome as allways Linnea!!🤩👸🚴‍♂️🤘💗

[@Fluidride]

Thanks for all your kind words and support! -Linnea

[@mattgies]

It looked like Linnea's bash guard was bonking the roots after all. Probably because she checked the clearance without the suspension sagged?

[@ScottOrtiz]

Question please - I'm guilty as any of not leveraging the front brake to best effect. Having been OTBs at least a couple times I think it's a bit hard wired to not "grab" too much front break. Another important consider is that there is only so much friction to go round on the front wheel. If I'm breaking AND turning I feel like I may be using up some of that friction to reduce speed vs. keeping that front wheel tracking on an aggressive turn or in a technical turn where the front wheel may break traction (e.g. rooty). Rational?

[@scoobsm6994]

This is where the vehicle dynamics comes in. They teach you all this stuff with motorcycle rider training. You need both ends working together to maximise braking - the front does most but the rear has an important part to play. The front only will unload the rear as the front suspension compresses and steepens the steering angle as the weight transfer shifts forwards. Using the rear causes the bike to squat into its suspension (people are also saying to actively assist this by loading your weight into the bike too). In cornering, the front will want to stand the bike up and under-steer, causing you to run wide - or lock up and wash out; the rear has the opposite effect wanting to pull the bike in, creating over-steer. A mid turn panic grab the font brake isn't going to end well, but feathering the rear will. Locking either end and skidding isn't going to give you control, and just rips up the trail surface for no reason - however fun some people think it is.

[@reallifemtb]

It’s really about the modulation they’re teaching here...none of this would be directly used on the trail but being able to use and properly modulate the front tire going into that turn but let up on the front while possibly increasing the rear while the front goes over a root and then bringing the power back to the from is the real world application...constantly adjusting for your conditions. Remember as well that the weight transferred to the front also increases traction on the front wheel to a degree as well which also helps under the conditions you’re describing...max traction to the ground is super important. Happy riding!

[@Fluidride]

The things you mention is why doing this drill is important. We are hoping to help you learn to use the front brake without getting too much of it! As for tracking around turns with roots etc, you would want to be off the front brake for that. It can be okay to brake going into a turn, but you should try to let off the brakes in the turn, especially the front brake. Again, this is simply a drill for braking. We use both brakes when riding on trail most of the time. -Simon

[@scoobsm6994]

@@Fluidride Question: Given the importance of balanced, modulated braking (front:rear, 70:30 as you mention), do you think that a lot of newer mtb's are over-braked on the rear? I see lots of large rotors, dual piston calipers, that can lock the rear wheel so easily. And does this braking overkill contribute to an over reliance on the rear brake, and therefore encourage poor braking techniques?

[@ScottOrtiz]

@@scoobsm6994 Great question.

[@asingletrackmind2637]

You can also learn the modulation by pedaling through the braking instead of pushing it.

[@Fluidride]

Absolutely! A great drill for sure.

[@blarakadventure8165]

Hello,greetings from borneo🇮🇩🤟

[@Fluidride]

Greetings! Thanks for tuning in from Borneo! -Simon

[@dangiles6453]

Might be a struggle to keep the chin up when I'm death gripping in terror but something to aspire to for routine trail braking

[@Fluidride]

For sure. Something we all struggle with, and something which sets the best riders apart. Remember to use peripheral vision. Try this: Look out into the distance at a physical object and notice everything you see in the foreground. It's surprising how big a field of view we have. That really helps me keep my chin up when riding, even though I struggle at times. -Simon

[@dangiles6453]

@@Fluidride hopefully with better braking I can avoid plummeting in terror altogether 😄

[@richardbarton7]

what about covering your brakes when jumping ? I don't do it , is there any golden rule on it ?

[@Fluidride]

I always cover my brakes. If you can learn to do that then there is no time when you have to adjust your grip. Some riders will use mid-air braking to bring the front wheel down. While I don't do that very often, I just like to know my brakes are there when I need them. I feel like if you stop covering your brakes and then go to use them, modulation can be difficult. -Simon

[@ianfleischhacker6154]

Everybody has already communicated what I wanted, this is just to add to traffic.

[@hopNglo]

Charlie Brown shirt.

[@DirtyPandaMTB]

Yea accidental stoppie!!

[@Fluidride]

🤣 whoopsies -Linnea

[@fabianechagaray2797]

Please tell me how’s your shoulder please

[@Fluidride]

It's like it never happened! The surgery was amazing and I haven't had a single problem since then. I feel so fortunate. Thanks for thinking of me! -Linnea