Decoding The Best Mountain Biking Body Position | How To Bike with Ben Cathro EP 3

Eyes up, elbows out, knees slightly bent. You've heard it all before. But what does that all really mean and is it all necessary? Ben Cathro breaks down body position and has come up with his very own philosophy: The Boss Stance.
How To Bike is presented by:
Santa Cruz Bicycles - santacruzbicycles.com
Deity Components - deitycomponents.com
POC - pocsports.com
More Pinkbike videos:
Pro Mountain Bike Setup Guide | How To Bike with Ben Cathro EP 2
• Pro Mountain Bike Setu...
Silence Your Bike With These Hardware Store Hacks
• Silence Your Bike With...
XC Race Crashes & Food Poisoning At The EWS - Get To Know Pinkbike Presenter Tom Bradshaw
• XC Race Crashes & Food...
0:00 - Intro
2:15 - Eyes Up
2:34 - Elbows Out
3:12 - Knees Bent
4:21 - Heels Down
5:19 - Weight Centered
7:06 - Advanced Weight Distribution
Video by sleeper.co - / sleeper.co
Pinkbike Merch - pinkbike.link/merch
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[@pinkbike]

Watch ALL the How To Bike episodes below! Ep 1: How To Actually Learn New Skills On Your Bike - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHjWf6mabqqbrLM Ep 2: Pro Mountain Bike Setup Guide - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpe4qoFsr9N5acU Ep 3: Decoding The Best Mountain Biking Body Position - kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4eve3yrjtyKlck Ep 4: Absorbing Trail Features & Maintaining Speed - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6aXoZ-iqrqJqqM Ep 5: How To Use Your Brakes To Actually Ride Faster - kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3fGm2pmbJ2aqqM Ep 6: How To Get More Speed From Trails With Pumping - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmXIkKZvlLGjjKM Ep 7: Line Choice Is Easier Than You Think With These Rules - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmO3YaCVqs-Uask Ep 8: How To Corner Properly - kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIDUd6ytfNGffNk Ep 9: Stop Crashing On Drops - kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3utcopmnrObi7s Ep 10: Make Jumping Easier - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3OYeKB_gZWmosk

[@nealmcbeal3041]

Newer rider, and just realized I'm a frequent user of the "Passenger mode" when stuff gets gnarly. Gonna work on that on my next ride. Thanks Ben!

[@BenCathro]

Everyone’s a passenger sometimes. Just don’t make a habit out of it 😉

[@HaydenMarek]

once you try what Ben said in the video, you will be amazed how fun biking actually is, bike just running over stuff under you

[@AdventureAndy208]

Passenger mode is a carry over from days of bikes with cross country geo, specifically steep head angles. With modern geo of 66 degrees or slacker, you can stay centered and trust the bike. Old habits never die.

[@nealmcbeal3041]

@@AdventureAndy208 wish I had that as an excuse haha

[@larissauredi8795]

@@AdventureAndy208 seriously true. I built an aggressive xc bike back in the day that has a 66 degree ht angle. It was a Frankenstein bike for its time but I STILL have a hard time getting more centered and not trying to compensate for that old school steeper geometry.

[@OnCloud911]

New Pinkbike jersey - "The Boss Stance" 🤙

[@droneboy1562]

Sold, on the back I'm not your boss

[@dkgray828]

Trademarked

[@marick791]

@@droneboy1562 surely it would be 'you're not the boss of me!'

[@broeselhuber98]

I just love these videos with Cathro! Him being on Pinkbike has really pushed the video quality to the max - best addition to the team in recent years!

[@marctreebarc]

Henry Quinney as well! Although, Pinkbike could be using him in a lot better way.

[@letsgo_inc]

I have found that biking is like skiing in that when things get steep or scary, the natural tendency is to lean back which actually hinders your control. So now I just tell myself the same thing I think about when skiing. "Commit forward" and that naturally pulls me out of the backseat.

[@joemcnamee4256]

Exactly my thought, same thing happens when skiing, you start to get further back and more out of control when you're not confident. I'm guilty of this on skis and on the bike, something I need to work on as well as looking ahead

[@BenCathro]

Yeah man, bang on. Everyone does the lean back for safety to varying degrees and having a mental cue to help you fix it is the ticket. As soon as I feel my hands tugging on the bars my cue is “palm pressure” to help me get back up on top of them.

[@mrsmartypants_1]

Yep. I was a very good skier from age 6. Just took up mountain biking as an adult a few years ago. There are so many times the light bulb went on learning to mtb downhill - “a ha like skiing”.

[@rinky_dinky]

Same when I started if there was a sudden drop I would lean back, but now I drop my chest down towards the stem

[@nenta4592]

@@mrsmartypants_1 Yeees mate. I am also a ski racer and instructor in germany. There is so much in common. Also when it comes to cornering techniques, the knees do a lot in the same way🤝👌🏻

[@TristanB415]

This series is seriously fantastic. I want MOAR!

[@bastiian]

Please let this lanky Scottishman run loose with all of his ideas on future episodes!

[@user-cv8uo2yu2e]

I'll throw in my bike bag for free Because I need someone to test it for me You can contact me if you are interested Only the US

[@JustinMayfield]

I'm going to start telling ATTACK POSITION!!! At the start of every downhill from now on. EDIT: SHOUT that shit at the top of my lungs!

[@WaechterDerNacht]

Dont tell it, shout it :-P

[@BenCathro]

Hey, if it works for you then go nuts 🥜

[@m__r1100]

Oh, and I was failed on a British Cycling coaching course as I wasn't advocating 'get off the back' and instead was going for centred and using legs and arms to get over and down drops... Maybe BC need to see this video!

[@BenCathro]

No comment 😅

[@davidleonard8890]

Loving this series! Top work Ben Cathro, as always ;)

[@visualresonance]

I love the demonstrations of 'passenger mode'

[@BenCathro]

I have a lot of practice. Used to be a full time passenger till I got my Boss qualification.

[@scheinheilig1]

Can’t wait for the next part! Ben you are a amazing presenter!

[@liamthomson8415]

Loving these series Ben! We need more coming!

[@MrBencannon]

Excellent video and series! Best explained mtb videos I’ve seen.

[@steveharry9891]

This series is bang on ! Easy to understand, and a great help ....👌....thank you Mr Cathro...

[@macss.3671]

This is so well done and has really helped my riding. Really great coaching and I love the “Boss Stance” concept. Brilliant!

[@patljak]

Another great video! Started attacking steep descents recently with some confidence and noticed how the whole “lean back” was just making things worse!

[@martinforbes3371]

Your mood was what caught my attention first vid, then your sense of humour then the way you groove into this stuff... so soft and gently. Despite the generation gap, I take lesson from you ! Stay Tune :) Thank's 👍

[@shawn-paulluchin603]

Nice Job! I had a question yet when I kept watching, you answered. Good job on the details!

[@yurisolov3359]

Ben, this vid and the entire series is Brilliant ! All presented and explained in a very understandable fashion and clear direction of 'How To' and importantly, 'why'. The 'How To' not being cookbook, but when and how decide what needs to happen. I'm rewatching every episode, because there's just too much packed into each to possibly even try to apply in a whole bunch of days riding! Big Kudos to you and your work here! I am Stoked!

[@peterandthebike5152]

Over 30 Years of MTB and this video contains so much of what I learned forgot and relearned. Thanks for this!

[@artboytidwell]

Great series and we all love Ben as a presenter... the best.

[@muddymongoosemtb9873]

Great video, body positioning is something I really struggle with I’m too often in the Passenger Mode- need to master “The Boss Stance” - TM Ben Cathro Pink Bike 2021.😁🤙🤙🤙

[@BenCathro]

™️®️©️🛑

[@muddymongoosemtb9873]

@@BenCathro 😂😂😂👌😁

[@SteveKimbo]

Well that's the best explanation of body position I've ever heard! Cheers boss!

[@LaVale-]

Boss Stance!! Best video about riding technique I've seen in a long time.

[@alans4281]

63 year old long time rider now riding an E city bike but still think I got something out of this video . Thanks for sharing.

[@justsosurgery8362]

Great video. Thank you. Worth watching multiple times to fully appreciate the valuable information. Keeping legs straight to relax really helped on my last ride.

[@urbanphotographer]

Bang on youtube algorithm which seems to know what I’m struggling with right now! Thanks, a great tutorial Ben, pointing out the important stuff!

[@stevenguyen4790]

This was an excellent informative video about body position. I liked the about the “lean back” part.

[@zomambik]

Great talent for teaching / explaining stuff. Give us more!

[@EJ-V8Bikes]

Simply awesome video instruction especially for a new mountain biker! Thanks!!

[@snickersthingz]

Cheers for simplifying what tends to be over explained and made complicated. Cathro is a rad coach

[@rachbonifacio]

This was super fun, engaging, and yet packed with information. Thank you!

[@simonthomson1631]

Loving the videos guys. Great technical content and loving the Cathro banter!

[@wiljaq2773]

Been MTBing for 3 years (before only a roadie) and this video was still helpful. I’ve been in that “bike running away from you” situation.

[@chefonabike7018]

The best advices only the best coaches are able to give. Well done guys 🤘🏻

[@mrouth1981]

The most helpful vid on body position out there. Keep it up Ben!

[@steviedingledangle7982]

Great Vid Ben - I've been working on this for years.

[@thomaswise7829]

Hi Ben, loved the video. I'll be testing this out of my team ride tonight

[@noniecabrera]

Best explanation so far about body position. Thanks Ben. Thanks Pinbike

[@trailattraction3678]

Struggling to avoid the passenger mode on steep descents for a couple of months now, nice to know it´s not just in my head that feeling of not having the bike under control. Great shots on Confident vs Non-confident body position at 11.12, really help me compare with my own ridding footage👌.

[@yashmanzia8115]

This is best free advice i ever got. Thank You Ben!! I was leaning back so much my back tyre was hitting my butt on drops!!! and ofcourse i crashed. This video helped me to not to lean too much back.

[@cornishcactus]

Fantastic, Ben's always gold on camera

[@jonasbauer5906]

Great practical tips. Highly appreciated. Thx a lot 😊

[@povteer]

the best video of its kind! hella fun too! 'boss stance' is all we need now! 😁🤙

[@savageantelope3306]

11:03 Literally me, I'm sothankfull for all the truth and good advice on just maintaining the same base form for all rides

[@igethanxcmtb9437]

I’ve spent the last year focusing on improving my body position, because I used to ride in passenger or the old attack position. Now I’m spend a lot more time in boss position after gathering tips I liked from across YT. Great to see one video cover it all!

[@gatoryak7332]

I used to see some people use the "attack position" on my local trails. But nobody around here uses it anymore. The last holdouts were women and skinny boys in their early teens. Not many people are passengers, because on our trails, they will more likely be walking their bikes than riding in bad body position.

[@workhorsemtb7075]

Great stuff Ben and staff!

[@ALLMOUNTAINMTB]

These videos are still the best out there on this subject

[@brendonpotts4342]

Boss. These are surprisingly great and a helpful even for people who have been riding for a long time! Thanks!

[@konstantinosgiotis9804]

The guy is a very good teacher and pretty smart too.

[@liamjovanic9490]

Thank you so much . You helped me so much with these tips . My riding has improved and just beacuse of your videos .

[@josepmariamartineztrave4456]

A perfect master session ! Thank you very much !

[@cosmo1212]

best video on body positioning thanks ben! This has made me a faster and more confident rider! Cheers....... Trademarked!

[@randomdudeontheinternet4389]

Hell yeah I absolutely needed this! I'm way to often in passenger mode. I will try this on my next ride.

[@roamingwolfpack]

Great explanation of the "boss stance"!

[@mojo3398]

i have to watch this over and over again every couple of weeks to remind myself of the simplest stuff... actually helps everytime though, thanks!

[@honzakrcil7454]

This is so entertaining and interesting to watch, well done

[@givreycham]

Brilliant video and great presentation....now to try it!

[@yannicbrose]

Probably the best and most important video of this series... 💪

[@bigchungus914]

I like a periodically switch between the two poses in the thumbnail, typically switching as fast as possible

[@joneldelapena3959]

Nice video. You have just helped a lot of beginner riders.

[@erl-grey]

that's the best boss stance video out there!

[@Alexandros_Patsialidis]

This content is just TOO GOOD❗️❗️❗️ I feel like I wanna pay for it 😱😂😎🙏🏼

[@danp2509]

Well soon u might have to, with Outside buying pinkbike

[@Alexandros_Patsialidis]

😱🤷🏼‍♂️

[@jordanleng204]

This video is mtb Gold! I watched the DH video where he helps Mike Boyd, and it was just as engaging and intuitive. Great stuff as always, Ben Cathro. Mahalo my Dudes.

[@BenCathro]

🤟 Mahalo

[@thinkmtb1548]

@@BenCathro ww2w2

[@tjaardreusken805]

I love

[@donaldmcnulty]

Thanks for the tips Ben, you’re a great teacher!

[@stringalongamax]

Brilliant video dude. I love the tennis player analogy getting back to centre. 👌

[@davemerchant8788]

"Trademark (giggles)" love it - Older rider (60 11/12) - one day I'll get all this right - I assume I'm riding correctly as it's all comfortable and relaxed and been doing it all me long life BUT really helpful to listen to your imparted wisdom and try a bit of self-observation as I'm riding to see if what I'm feeling is what you're saying. My holy grail is air - whenever the wheels leave the ground my limbs go to the 4 points of the compass - so unbelievable just how much can happen in the briefest of seconds when there's no friction keeping things smooth - watch and learn Luke, watch and learn. Tomorrow I'm going out to practice Boss and drops (....possibly) or I may just do 2 hell for leather loops of my regular trail....BUT - Thanks for everything - really helps and I WILL get there .... eventually 😁👍

[@LD-yl2zz]

Love these videos so much. Thank you so much Ben :)

[@jrxvo6080]

Wow! I can't beleave how usefull that is! Thank you! This You Tube stuff is Fun! look forward to exploring other stuff on You Tube!!!!

[@keith1277]

Great video! well explained.

[@petegowland6201]

Great series so far. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@PradaDrum]

This is great. Keep them coming!

[@HeadshrinkerMD]

Thank You! awesome education video.

[@MrSketchyCharacter]

Been riding 20 years, this will be super helpful to polish up this old dog's skills. Thanks Ben 🤪

[@sanabibimtb]

Very informative and entertaining thank you!👍❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@CantTalkImRiding]

Always returning to center is most helpful. I try to tell people to let the bike float around underneath them and stay centered. It's a scary thing to do at first. Your slow motion shots capture it wonderfully. My struggle is looking far ahead and braking too late in corners.

[@MarioXcore1]

the tennis analogy makes so much sense

[@winklertribe5268]

Fantastic video!!! Thank you Ben!!

[@SmokeybeardAB]

Great video Ben.

[@roddixon9402]

Excellent - rushing out to get back on the trail and try all this right now ! Boss tha ! as we say in Liverpool

[@1comie]

Another Great Video Mr Cathro!

[@Skogmtb]

Thanks Ben, these videos are unreal 👍🤘

[@TrailDogsMTB]

I’ve been waiting for this!

[@doctorpc4x4]

A great series from Ben

[@DownhillDesireMTB]

brand new rider here, thanks so much for this series, it's beyond awesome!!!!

[@CYMTB]

This video is the best lecture for riding position that I have ever watched!! My son is getting better thanks to this lecture! thanks!

[@samloke6034]

i love this vid. the hilarious demonstrations reminds me very much how an anime on biking would look like.

[@MehmetSevil]

Woow. Just wow! Amazing stuff. Not only "hows" but "whys" too. Thanks a whole lot! Awesome presentation too! :))

[@hpph1744]

I love this. Thanks Boss.

[@ricardopezohernandez2668]

Great Job ... THE BOSS!!!

[@Dnzo09]

Best MBT explanations I've found. Plus I almost chocked laughing a few times. Awesome stuff

[@craigcimmons7452]

Nice work with this video. I teach skiing and snowboarding and you described perfectly how we teach people proper riding position for those sports. "bent knees and ankles but not too bent" "be confident and don't end up in the 'backseat'." "move in and out of a centered stance and return to center." "There is no right stance" Oh and I'm stealing "passenger mode" for skiing and snowboarding as well.

[@mrmillingto840]

I was taught by a really good coach to have one heal down and one slightly up to wedge my self between the pedals. I find it helps me move my center of gravity faster.

[@louiselipe7812]

Your killing me! It’s so assuring that there is HOPE for me! I LOVE YOU!!

[@jonamcc]

Great thorough video that’s simple to follow. I suspect I have my legs bent too much, leading to lactic acid fatigue; I’m going to try keeping them only slightly bent and try locking them out from time to time for recovery!

[@adammiller6932]

Love this series

[@1969Escobar]

Great video again, cheers

[@grover9187]

Attack position is the only one I know 😆🥴. I am self taught so I just figure it out as I go along. But your videos are so helpful. I feel like everyone has had years of bike experience and I'm just a beginner..so I appreciate all the pointers to make this sport that I love easier.

[@profjst8157]

I make the opposite error than most people : my weight is shifted too much in the front. Thank you so much for this tutorial series. You're a great teacher!

[@mtbboy1993]

Loved it, very in depth.