Don't Make These Common Climbing Mistakes | MTB Skills

[@briannyob7799]

Dropping your saddle a little bit below optimal helps climbing in technical terrain. Helps you shift your body a bit to transfer weight.

[@niclaskarlin]

This was a surprise for me when I first got a dropper post. Very useful so that you can remain seated for steeper climbs.

[@TheButlerNZ]

Who keeps putting all these climbs at the start of a good downhill !

[@dylanc2487]

My bad that was me

[@ambocc]

God!

[@harcormor]

The nerve of these people…lol

[@TheButlerNZ]

@@dylanc2487 Well Don't.... I could ride all day but keep finding a hill in the way... and if there's not one at the start, there's darn well one on the way back! Almost makes me want to get an E bike.... Almost (Like a Trail biker wants to get a quad...).

[@TheButlerNZ]

@@ambocc He who made Kittens put snakes in the grass...

[@TiagoMorbusSa]

Thank you for the tips, I'm a long time roadie that start mountain biking last year with a hard tail, and I find that climbing is just as technical as going downhill, picking the right lines and position on the bike is so crucial, it's also a lot of fun!

[@Tr3zn3r]

I’m 41 and new to mountain biking. This is my second summer of riding. I climb until my heart rate gets up to 180 then walk. Then get back on the bike and climb until it hits 180. Already I can go twice as long as last year before having to take the bike for a walk.

[@bertrandolf9733]

start out as slow as you possibly can for the first third of your climb

[@pronewbofficial]

That's good, but sometimes it's better to maintain a lower heartrate (120-140) for a long time than it is to hit high rates for a short time. Low Intensity Steady State (LISS) vs High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). Doing more LISS cardio will lower your resting heartrate.

[@ToblerX]

If your heart rate is spiking that high you're either in the wrong gear or your cadence is off. Figure out how to go slow and steady without having to stop.

[@viperdemonz-jenkins]

in a few summers as long as you keep to it your heartrate will level out and less walking bike.

[@discretebear4115]

One thing to add about improper gear use when climbing: Pushing too high of a gear uphill can place a tremendous amount of strain on your knees and can lead to tendonitis if done on a repeated or prolonged basis.

[@TylerRaffle92]

Doubtful, talk to any single speeder. I exclusively ride SS and do more climbing then descending and my old man knees are fine

[@fosternetterfield8100]

Great vid thank you , there is one climb at the park that dog 🐶 and I ride in that I vowed to make up in one shot. My last day out I made it after say 40 attempts maybe 50 or 60 since about the beginning of March.Everything covered in this video is completely pertinent to my quest to achieve that objective. I rather relish the challenge of difficult climbs and I believe they make me a better rider. Nothing like it for the cardio and weight management Cheers 🇨🇦

[@walterreed8182]

Glad to see Rich making videos where he dosn’t almost die!!

[@bertrandolf9733]

Adiing to the "not too fast" it's recommendable to start out in totally chilled stroll mode. If it gets tiring the slightest immediately ease back to super-recreational pace. Remind yourself to that for the first third of your distance. While your body warms up very slowly it can adjust the metabolism accordingly, so your circulation gets going effortlessly. Before you know it, you are well on your way in the second third and if you want you can even race in the last third. That way you can climb for several hours and even full days.

[@NeuQN]

This reinforced a thought I've been having for awhile now. I sometimes make it a goal of mine to go as slow as possible in the beginning and when I do I always find that I'm able to last soo much longer.

[@garretteverett2613]

I do a lot of SS trail riding and I've made peace with the walk of shame, but it feels so good to pull up to the top with feet still on the pedals.

[@davidkline4372]

I'm an old GenXer and have been riding since the early 90s. When I started ,my dad gave me a great book on mtb skills. One was called dynamic traction, which is pulling up on the handle bars a little as your pedal stroke starts down which helps push the rear tire into the ground thus maximizing traction while climbing. Also what about standing/squatting with your center mass in middle of the bike? Or sitting on the nose of the saddle up steep,steep climbs?

[@repenning1]

About gears: a harder gear will not increase wheel torque, it will decrease it and, with that, make it less likely for the wheel to loose traction and spinn out. If you ride in slippery conditions you're better off picking a hard gear to avoid loosing traction. However, a harder gear will increase the necessary force to pedal, i.e., pedal torque.

[@brian6speed]

lose not loose son. My tires spin more in harder gear because of the extra torque required to turn pedals.

[@repenning1]

@@brian6speed ok, "lose" father 😉this is how grammar works, I give you that. But high pedal torque of hard gears does not translate to high wheel torque because of the difference in gearing. If you are climbing at the same speed, and the same incline, then the wheel torque must be identical. But in the easy gear uneven pedaling is more likely to result in spinning out. This is how physics works.

[@mcspiffington]

@@repenning1 Factor in the weight balance of a steep climb and torque becomes almost irrelevant. As soon as your rear wheel loses grip it will spin, doesnt matter what gear you are in. It's just semantics and 'i want to be correct' at this point.

[@JohnLangleyAkaDigeratus]

I'd love to see a video about climbing with obstacles along the way. For example having to do a front wheel lift. And then of course you have to get the rear wheel up. So climbing and then hitting a ledge or something in the middle of it. And then for bonus points right after that there's a hard turn. Thanks! Great video!

[@mcspiffington]

pedal kicks and alpha hops. Ie pull a half wheelie to get your front end up and then push forward to hop instead of scooping back. there are too many variables for a 'one trick beats all' climbing video.

[@SergejGrabun]

Have a look at some videos from Kyle and April

[@thetechfromheaven]

You need to master stair climbing, manuals and bunny hops to unlock that skill, also have a very good physique. When you master it, just becomes 2nd nature.

[@jimwing.2178]

@@thetechfromheaven I disagree. I am inept at manuals and bunny hops, but I'm good at floating over obstacles while climbing. It's all about timing of explosive quarter-pedal strokes and quick weight-shifts. That's why sitting while climbing is foolish. Typical techniques for manual and bunny hops involve backward weight shifts. When I'm going uphill, I do not want to shift my weight that far back. I do agree with you on it becoming second nature after much practice.

[@fud1376]

I enjoy the 'ups' as much as the 'down's Ha! And riding the 'Malverns' you need to Ha!

[@bertrandolf9733]

One important point left out in the video is nutrition. The following passage was formulated by ChatGPT: If you want to climb a lot of elevation with your mountain bike, it's important to maintain a balanced and energy-rich diet to have enough strength for the effort. Here are some recommendations: Before the ride: Have a balanced meal that includes carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats. For example, you could choose oatmeal with yogurt, nuts, and fruits, or a whole-grain sandwich with lean meat or cottage cheese. Drink enough water to stay hydrated. During the ride: Plan regular breaks to have snacks and water. You can pack energy bars, bananas, dried fruits, nuts, or granola bars. These snacks will provide you with quick energy and essential nutrients. Drink water or isotonic beverages regularly to maintain hydration. After the ride: Have a meal that includes carbohydrates and proteins to replenish your energy stores and support muscle recovery. An option could be a salad with grilled chicken or fish, paired with whole-grain rice or quinoa. It's important to listen to your body and respond to your individual needs. Everyone reacts differently to food intake during exercise. Some people prefer to have a lighter meal before training, while others may require a longer digestion time. Experiment and find out what works best for you. Regarding the timing, it's advisable to have a meal before training that allows enough time for digestion. Depending on the size of the meal, this can be between 1-3 hours before training. If you've had a larger meal, you can also have a smaller snack about 30-60 minutes before training to boost your energy levels. During the ride, it's important to regularly consume small snacks or energy bars to maintain your energy level. Breaks should ideally be taken every 1-2 hours to have snacks and water. Remember that every body is different and has individual needs. Listen to your own hunger and satiety cues and adjust your diet accordingly.

[@truthprevails6895]

Excellent advice! I need to keep reminding myself to stay on track with nutrition as it helps so much with recovery👍

[@stujm8376]

Just watched this one again. It’s good to keep reminding yourself

[@jazznroll5]

Personally, i ride and mtb to improve fitness and endurance for running, so going uphill is the way to go. Downhills are the necessary recovery part and i take them easy and slow.

[@cccycling5835]

I’m a gravel rider that uses MTB to make me more competitive offroad. Helps with high intensity output sprints too.

[@stevencole7331]

Same here

[@Icehso140]

My new Cannondale wouldn't climb for beans. Then I adjusted my seat height up 1/2". The power in my pedal stroke was far nearer the bottom of the stroke than I realized.

[@japanunfound]

I loved the comedy high cadence riding at the start. Great acting. I don't need to act to do that.

[@japanunfound]

I wanna add one thing. Get riser bars if you're tall. I've been trying to follow Rich's advice about climbing in general for a year or two, but couldn't avoid pulling the front end up. Thought it was due to the bike, coz the reviews of the Kona process 134 as a climber are not good at all. But just a 35mm riser bar has sorted it to a great extent. It's also made riding in general way more comfortable. No more dead arms, bad back combo.

[@anitalandkroon]

the walk of shame 🙃🙃🙃 I call it the walk that takes you up the mountain too 😬😬😬 maybe a video on how to get up a really steep hill 😐😐 for example with a mega high table top 🙄🙄 sometimes it's still a little intimidating 😱

[@tonyb9735]

Your drive train is rather more polite than mine! My drive train definitely throws in a few expletives.

[@garretteverett2613]

Haha, mine too! I run friction shifters on a 3×7 and it's always a sketchy yet somehow enjoyable feeling when the bike "explodes" under you while shifting. I don't quite understand exactly how it happens, but as long as my feet end up back on the pedals, I'm having a blast.

[@sepg5084]

You got it backwards: easier gears result in higher torque on the tires but lower speed, harder gears result in higher speed for the tires but lower torque.

[@LauraThompson-r7t]

视频内容非常有趣！有些事我不明白：我的okx钱包里面有usdt，我有恢复短语。-----------: 我应该如何把它们变成比特币？

[@DennisSLC]

Excellent vid! WOULD BE COMPLETE if you wrapped it up with some actual dynamic seat height adjustment thoughts.

[@joeymalin]

He’s talking about wheel spin in a harder gear. Maybe I’m wrong but the easier the gear I’m in the more likely I am to wheel spin??

[@mcspiffington]

climbing is different cause you tend to have more weight on your front end, as soon as you loose grip in your rear wheel its going to spin regardless of what gear you're in.

[@jimwing.2178]

@@mcspiffington "as soon as you loose [sic] grip in your rear wheel its going to spin regardless of what gear you're in." OK, that's obvious. However, the proper gear for the situation will lower the probability of losing rear wheel grip. if the gear is too hard or too easy, the wheel tend to spin. Another factor is the force and speed that you are applying to the pedals at the moment. Reduced force will increase traction.

[@MoxyDave]

Best bit of advice I've had: Sit down! Climbing while seated works way better for me. Pick the right gear, use an even cadence and sit your azz down 🙂

[@jimwing.2178]

Worst advice I've ever heard: Sit down! Sitting is OK for climbing up roads and machine buffed trails, but riding up technical climbs requires bike/body separation.

[@TheButlerNZ]

#GMBN I still recon it's quicker for an average rider to push their bike up the steepest track to the top, than it is to ride the long easy way. (I have actually tried this several times... My best time riding is still slower than one I did when totally exhausted and stopping often to catch my breath,, (Tested on the top half of Wellington NZ's Makara Peak MTB park 'Upswing' vs 'Snake Charmer' (the later I can't actually ride up on my ol Freeride Giant Faith but I take 10 mins off riding).

[@mcspiffington]

you're never going to do said climb if you just walk it. climbing is just as much a technique thing.

[@TheButlerNZ]

@@mcspiffington No.. Climbing is a painful thing when 50+ on an old freeride bike after doing a previous climb and black trail ("Deliverance" in my videos). My best time to the top of the park is 50min on the bike, and 40 min pushing the top half... and I only push if I'm exhausted as I do actually enjoy the slog up otherwise. 👨‍🦽

[@tagzedawg]

There are other considerations besides what is the fastest.

[@proverbalizer]

there is definitely a steepness when hiking is way more efficient than riding. Hiking slow up a steep hill takes way less energy than hiking fast up a steep hill, but riding up a steep hill can take close to max energy whether you are going 3mph or 0.3 mph

[@Ry_Rides]

Was expecting saddle too low after the saddle too high point

[@nickadams8952]

Great tips Rich but perhaps for your next video you tackle these climbs clipped in? As I like to ride clipless any useful insights would be great.

[@flowstateofmind]

Another mistake is wearing too many clothes and ending up super sweaty at a windy mountain top. So start cold

[@teamsox555]

Some hill climbs are that steep you carry the bike up ,no walk of shame ,just a walk of strength! and the downhill is a adrenaline Rush u never forget

[@Kordz79]

Thanks for this informative video😊

[@AlenRi]

Climbing is the best! 😂 I drove 70km yesterday with 3100m elevation, and enjoyed every meter 😬💪🏻

[@PTSeTe]

ok now try riding a bike😂😛

[@pezza100]

Where did you film this? Looks amazing.

[@Masemoto]

Sedona, AZ

[@hughmarsh2528]

#GMBN please add a location to your videos, they're often in places that look like they need to go on my bucket list!

[@fullsend6366]

@@Masemoto Do you know the trail name?

[@ericcartmansstrengthandpow5960]

It's somewhere in Kansas I'm pretty sure.

[@fullsend6366]

​@@ericcartmansstrengthandpow5960 Kansas? Do you mean Kaibab?

[@expat1416]

really good video!.. checking my seat height right now!

[@frantz4318]

What about seat angle?

[@PuffinPass]

"Walk of shame" What is shameful about walking a section or a climb that you just don't have the ability or endurance to pedal up? What if someone knows it is going to sap too much energy and it makes more sense for them to climb so they have fresher legs for the descent? It is pure ego to burn yourself out on the climb up. Sure get better at climbing and up your endurance but saying that walking is shameful is a pretty shit way to say it.

[@tjTerrence22]

Hi GMBN any tips for starting a youtube channel about mtb rides?

[@ninjazzrhythm400]

I think thats why we neednto move on from the old derailleur cassette system and innovate the gear drive tech.

[@ajtronic]

Tips for climbing loose rocky terrain with switchbacks? That’s all we have here haha

[@lorrainegarreau3885]

Where was this video filmed may I ask

[@Andrei_CRW]

I still struggle with climbs, specially with turns mid-climb, like switcbacks. I start loosing control, my arms move too much and I feel I'm falling down.

[@Masemoto]

Me too. Sharp, steep, techy switchbacks get me every time. Would like a video on this pls.

[@Andrei_CRW]

@@Masemoto A video on it would be super helpful indeed!

[@gmbn]

Good thinking. We'll pass this on to the team 👍 For now though, some of the tips that work for cornering either riding flat or downhill trails do help out with uphill corners too - the main one being to make sure you look ahead, through the corner!

[@jimwing.2178]

My riding on steep switchbacks (both up and down) improved dramatically by trying to master the track stand. I never have mastered track stands, but just trying to taught my body how so stay upright while riding super-slowly.

[@m_scandy]

Looking ahead has improved improved my technical climbing more than any other technique. Come to think of it, it’s improved my downhill riding too!

[@blue77ob]

i have 25 year riding mtb at first i hate climbing now i like it

[@andrewsonleitner9882]

Nice info Rich great tips looks like your spending some good time in Arizona missed you at the whiskey maybe next time

[@FoxRob93]

Definitely 1&2 here.

[@jkjeffk]

You have more torque in a lower gear than in a higher gear.

[@Brychan_Llyr]

Hey i notice you're wearing pads is that a part of the gmbn trousers or do you put padded shorts underneath?

[@jimwing.2178]

I'm surprised that some MTBers still wear padded shorts. A good, well-fitting saddle makes the diaper unnecessary. It is way more comfortable on the boy bits to wear a high quality, support brief. I like the ones made by UFM.

[@pcdude2394]

Get a bike fit. I had it done with my bike and it improved my climbing and my lower backache longer existed.

[@jerryavalos9610]

Slow cadence or "grinding" up hill in a tough gear is also not good for the knees.

[@dieterh.9342]

Thanks. Is this Cheyenne Canyon, Colorado Springs?

[@jimmyjames718]

No, Dude. It's Sedona, AZ

[@dieterh.9342]

@@jimmyjames718 thanks, dude.

[@willisthesnowman8931]

What bike is this?

[@dougbikescle5405]

Enduro hardtail only climbs because it has to. It doesn’t have to like it. Making it a social thing lowers the overall stress.

[@sphexes]

Where's the location. Looks like western US

[@jimmyjames718]

Sedona, AZ. Between Sedona and Flagstaff, you have some of the best all year round riding anywhere. Not to mention good skiing and rock climbing. But be nice to the locals. They put up with a lot.

[@willh2739]

"no crunching necessary" well then what was that at 2:08? Changing gears one at a time won't stop crunching if you're pedaling hard. just What?

[@Bazza1968]

Did 105km and 1325m of climbing today, out the front door and a loop around the Gaick pass here in the Scottish Highlands in 5hrs.... got back with one bar to spare on the second battery... FS KTM, travel in style, comfort, a grin and without the huge "real biker" ego to slow me down...laughing my ass off at the fashion victim "Grankers" (Gravel-*ankers) going the other way with their fillings rattling out their teeth determined to prove they hadn't been duped by marketing and GCN... Sure I could dig the Rockhopper out and take twice as long, but I'll go out for 100km on the road bike tomorrow instead...

[@jeffspc88mx]

There's no shame in walking the bike. You're still making progress.

[@Nickporter17]

These are absolute beginner recommendations

[@NoLimitTouge]

Where is that beautiful place?

[@jimmyjames718]

Sedona, AZ

[@28th_St_Air]

Filmed in Sedona?

[@jimmyjames718]

Yes. I think he is an Arizona native, judging by his accent.

[@tonyparkin3379]

Elbows poked into knees.

[@666psicko]

Well crap. I leave my home turf for a bit and you guys come up to make a video...

[@FINNdeischgut]

I'm a beginner, but all of these "tips" are logical? How are you supposed to do it differently?

[@jimmyjames718]

Stop thinking and ride. As long as your having fun, don't worry about it. If you're not having fun, get an e-bike and get fat.

[@FINNdeischgut]

@@jimmyjames718 what does an E-MTB have to do with being fat? Are you one of those complete idiots who talks such insane nonsense? Have you ever taken part in an E-Enduro or Downhill race? Probably not, otherwise you wouldn't talk such nonsense. With an E-bike you have to pedal more uphill than when riding downhill. Are you trying to say that downhill isn't a sport? So unbelievably stupid. Have you ever seen an EWS-E race? The courses are much harder than in normal Enduro races. An E-bike doesn't have to do any work for you, but ensures that you can ride routes that would actually be impossible for a human to ride without support. It expands the sport and offers completely new possibilities. Or are you trying to say that motorcycle Enduro isn't a sport either, even though you don't have to pedal uphill, just like with Downhill. Have fun riding cross country.

[@galenkehler]

You forgot the comma to make it right for uplifters: "Stop climbing, wrong!"

[@hugomundo4826]

It's not shameful to walk your bike uphill, don't listen to this guy.

[@jimmyjames718]

Sounds like you've been listening to your gut. It's probably pretty loud.

[@boogiedownbronx73]

I hate climbing my legs are heavy

[@JasonFoxLCB]

Ain't no shame in my walking game.

[@nowonda1984]

I like your videos, but you shouldn't start a video about MTB climbing saying "climbing is a chore" or stuff like this. I actually enjoy climbing a lot and, although I understand that's not the case with everyone, if your mindset is "climbing sucks", chances are you're gonna make it suck yourself, big time. Mentally, don't focus on how hard a climb is. Instead, focus on rewards (the scenery, the descent) and achievements (KOM, fortitude etc).

[@japanunfound]

I focus on the physical and mental gains. I honestly not at all good at it, but embrace the grind. !0-8 on the inner B1ch is always the aim.

[@AutiSam1974]

yes and good sensations in the legs, gaining strength,

[@aztronomy7457]

You must live in Kansas

[@ArdGeal]

I always start a steep, technical climb thinking "this is gonna be great fun, let's do it" and it always is, but then again I've got a KTM E-MTB.... my walking and cursing days are well over....

[@michaelrodgers5105]

I have no shame in my walking game

[@DANNYGATESTHEAGEDSINGER]

Very interesting but it doesn't help me with my problem I have a mountain bike what the problem is half of my derailleur is sitting on chain the part the sitting on my chain I think it's called derailleur guard derailleur derailleur derailleur what do I need to get this off my chain

[@deividas_kimontas]

💪💪

[@t_to_the_homschen7270]

Sram says I can crunch the gears😂

[@Durwood71]

Am I the only one bothered by how loose his helmet strap is?

[@bobothericefarmer1878]

They should just make the uphill flat duhhh

[@globaltrident5341]

How do you know I'm climbing wrong? Clickbait!

[@tomrucroft9509]

0:45 i made this mistake. Cost me a xd driver and a new cassette

[@mikaeljacobsson1437]

Taxi up the hill, bike down the hill. ;)

[@peterhurley4194]

i've ripped teeth off the 51t cog on a x01 cassette when shifting under load

[@Skizm_admin]

12 time asking for god sake. What’s happened to all your POC helmets and gear!!!

[@mattvgyo]

When you said Wrong Gear - I thought you meant not being on an e-bike.

[@jd4000]

My main error is being massively out of shape and having knackered lungs from asthma 🤣