The Basics of Cornering: Berms and Flat Corners

Even the best riders in the world take time to practice cornering. It's an element of the sport that one can never master and given the current all-time-fall-time conditions we figured it would be a perfect time to review the basics. Join Christina as she reviews the basics of cornering.
More Pinkbike videos:
10 Riders Face The Ultimate Mountain Bike Challenge | Pinkbike Academy EP 1
• 10 Riders Face The Ult...
So You Got A New Bike, Now What? | Set Up Tips & Tricks
• So You Got A New Bike,...
Upgrading Components on Your Bike | Where to Spend and Where to Save
• Upgrading Components o...
Christina's Sponsors:
Trek Bikes - trekbikes.com/
Marzocchi - www.marzocchi.com/
Troy Lee Designs - troyleedesigns.com/
Shimano - bike.shimano.com
Schwalbe - schwalbetires.com/
OneUp Components - oneupcomponents.com/
Garmin - garmin.com/
Smith Optics - smithoptics.com/
We Are One Composites - weareonecomposites.com/
Pinkbike Merch - pinkbike.link/merch
Subscribe for more content from the pulse of mountain biking.
Website - pinkbike.com
Podcast - pinkbike.link/pbpodcast
Instagram - / pinkbike
Facebook - / pinkbikecom

[@JakeEpooh]

She is a natural in front of the camera and has not just high-level skills, but the ability to communicate them effectively.

[@ethanbenton6676]

Such an underrated skill to practice, I see a lot of riders overlook it

[@fazza2104]

Yes

[@crashcoursezed7947]

I did too! One of the most, if not the most important skill to practice in my opinion!

[@jptothetree]

Her form on flat corners really reminds me of Jared Graves--where both of their hips are _really_ turned towards where they want to go. Super important to think about when cornering! Thanks for posting.

[@ManNomad]

Of all the videos on flat cornering , this one has proven to be level changing in control and feel. Thank you for changing the way I ride and enjoy the experience.

[@MTBMOR]

My notes: 0:40 Bike Body Separation 1:56 Flat Corners 3:45 Berms 4:49 Bike Set-up I hope this helps

[@scmtb8658]

Thanks for the cliff notes :)

[@MTBMOR]

@@scmtb8658 It's more for me to come back to, but you are welcome.

[@mtbcrasher2703]

Ditto on the thanks...makes studying easier

[@simseysimona2762]

Always found copying homework from the best in the class helps! Thanks buddy! 🤣👍👍👍

[@falkoknkl]

Great content. Great coaching. Loving it! 👍Already looking forward to the next tutorial. Keep them coming!😊

[@yohanyonsson]

YES! Great stuff and exactly what I asked for in your last video. Looking forward to more of this stuff!

[@martinschwartz7342]

I love the way you explain things. You make learning easier. Thanks!

[@brianhanish6307]

Awesome video again. I was slipping and sliding a lot today (fall leaves on the ground don't help) Found this video helpful. Thanks again Christina!

[@johnnyd3859]

Great Job!! Cornering speed is everything, and Trust is key.. Get to know your bike/!!TIRES!! practice!! Pick the same trail so you don't have any surprises. Ride on JD

[@Chillinan]

Great vid, to the point and clear instruction based on your experience. More like this please 👌

[@cr6ckedtv766]

Hey! This video was great I really like how you really go into the basics of how to do it, I’m a 11 year old mountain biker and I’m still practicing a bit! And I’m a big fan! 👍

[@pinkbike]

Thanks so much! Stoked you enjoyed it. It's a quick lesson but there's some good info in there for sure -Christina

[@KalumFishingBC]

I’m also 11 and into mtb

[@amandap2889]

im 12 i love mtb cool to see an 11 year old

[@isaks3243]

take if from me as a mountainbike coach. corners are definately something you only can get better at for as long as you're riding. and thanks for the video. I really enjoy watching these videos to help me coaching my group of riding and refine their techniques and i do it by looking up as many how tos here on youtube and this was an exceptionally well put together and easy to follow explaination on what to practice and what to think of when going into a corner. I will bring this information on to the riders in my group and make shure more people get out on the trail, having as much fun as humanly possible.

[@alanmartinezrodriguez884]

First time seeing her in Pinkbike. I know this is an old video but she's awesome!

[@PedroFerreira-ze5yp]

Great lesson! I'll start practicing this right away! THANK YOU from Brazil!!!

[@matfly4832]

You rock girl, very good explanations and overall video quality, top notch cornering teaching! Thank you

[@wizzanwazza2367]

Thanks for all the great vids!

[@winklertribe5268]

As a female rider, it is so inspiring to see another female rider teaching/coaching! Thank you Pinkbike and thank you Christina!

[@pinkbike]

Cheers for that! Stoked to be part of the video team and represent for some ladies! We have a LOT of rad ladies at Pinkbike actually :-) -Christina

[@davidwreland4169]

Thank you! Just bought a trek fuel ex 7 haven’t been riding for like 15-20 years. Can’t wait to get out and play and practice 😄

[@robvanduren761]

Christina. The golden girl on a golden bike helping us mere mortals. Thank you

[@ricardoalbuquerque5976]

Very Nice Video and Tips Christina! Thanks!

[@heatherpauls3459]

Let’s roost and boost

[@RonnRider]

Great how to Christina! I'm a Canadian who's been living in Australia for the past 12 years now but I'm still in close contact with one of my best friends Dina Goldfarb that you use to ride with in Whistler. She is so stoked for you and your amazing new (ish) Job by the way. Small world isn't it! Cheers

[@charlesxiong6016]

oOo My favorite back at it again! Definitely going to use this video like all the rest!

[@pinkbike]

THANKS!!! We could all use some friendly reminders from time to time -Christina

[@Mr.Finkel]

can i just say that is the best thumbnail shot. picture perfect technique for cornering. makes me want to go out there right now and hit some berms. very nice!

[@kenww776]

Most tutorials always miss the crucial part, the rotation of the hips / pointing your belly button where you want to go. You can see it at 2.30.

[@thingswelike]

Yep - steer with your third eye!

[@gatoryak7332]

Earlier in the video @ 1:17, she states that she "turns worse" when going to the right. Then she unwittingly shows why. The same happens @ 2:30. A little background: Contrary to the conventional wisdom of the MTB bro culture, "rotation of the hips / pointing your belly button where you want to go" is not the critical part of cornering. It is the by-product of proper technique. What is critical is to adjust the pelvis to the outside of the turn and tilt the bike to the inside. That will often give the appearance of the pelvis and torso being pointed to the inside. However, once you ride with your mental goal of matching weight shift and bike tilt to the conditions instead of pointing your belly button, you will have better cornering across a wider range of corners. And that is why most tutorials don't mention pointing your belly button. The best way to turn is with the inside foot forward. With the outside foot forward, the body has to contort more to achieve the weight shift and bike tilt. This over-contortion is what is happening @2:30. Putting the outside pedal all the way down @3:30 does the same thing. Try riding with this awareness your next time out. With your inside foot forward, you'll still get pelvis rotation if you shift and tilt properly, but it won't be as drastic as if your outside foot is forward. With your inside foot forward, your turns will be faster, more stable, and easier to get a good snap and acceleration out of the turn. It's almost criminal that so many riders have been convinced that they have a favorite foot and to not practice both feet to be equally comfortable front and rear. Riders who never switch their front foot are handicapping themselves.

[@imxd9698]

@@gatoryak7332 my friend, would you please make a cornering tutorial covering this technique?

[@jooooohn401]

@@gatoryak7332 interesting, a while back I saw a video saying to keep the outside foot down anddd I've been doing that ever since. I probably took it from a specific situation and applied it to everything, I'll have to start practicing inside foot forward!

[@K9Clyde]

@@jooooohn401 I too have been using the outside foot down method, which this lady also was doing but did not mention. Hmm I will practice both ways to compare.

[@firebelligerent]

This woman is a good teacher

[@itai468]

BEST TIP EVER - go and practice. Most of us weekend warriors just can't wait for the weekend that we skip all the learning and just go and try to shred. Practice Practice Practice. Helps to become better, prevent injuries, ect....

[@simseysimona2762]

Thanks! Always very helpful! 👍

[@jk6561]

Great video - thanks!

[@alexanderreyes8513]

thanks for this tutorial... keep it up from Philippines

[@bootscamaro4221]

I like the way you explained it

[@yliu4093]

Thank you that is an awesome video . It help me

[@zoltanhorvath8568]

spot on Lady thank you for a vid .

[@MTBKADESTER]

I was always told "Practice makes Progress". By the way, awesome video!

[@MTBKADESTER]

Also you should make a video on how to make your bike quieter.

[@pinkbike]

Maybe I'll adopt that saying... Has a nice ring to it -Christina

[@fergussandilands7757]

This will really help my riding. Thanks!!!

[@tomfer2082]

Low, look, lean - perfect 🙌

[@OresteCiotoli]

Really helpfull, I will try for sure...I fell too much "straight" with my body on the turns

[@dacads]

Great video

[@Ekzt21]

Cristina is awesome, great videa

[@jeanlavallee2887]

Thanks for the video.....sorry gotta go practice😉

[@Kev.in-Bike]

Thanks for this Nice video

[@cs8sz]

Awesome video, I'm terrible at corners!

[@darrinkulyk9560]

Excellent Video 😎Myself Been Riding 50yrs Lots Of FAST Bikes . SEAT TIme And Drills Will Keep You Safe ..... LOTS Of Variables.... Ride CF Warden VanCity 🙃

[@darcyphillips70]

Practice makes permanent, never perfect

[@darcyphillips70]

😂

[@powers14sj90]

Perfect practise makes perfect

[@adamarmstrong200]

Perfect practice makes perfect

[@adamarmstrong200]

@@powers14sj90 I’ve literally never heard another person say this and I didn’t see where you said it before I did as well lol

[@powers14sj90]

@@adamarmstrong200 haha nice

[@dierichvontrompel9665]

I should have seen this video yesterday

[@harryls1283]

Thai for the tutorial. Is gonna be something that will help me a lot. Keep them coming girl!!!👍

[@tisforturbo.3774]

Yay this is what I was looking for

[@natewilberding4918]

Same I suck at conners but want to roos

[@pinkbike]

Well you've come to the right place! We'll do a slightly more advanced cornering video soon too! -Christina

[@pinkbike]

@@natewilberding4918 ah the ol' roost!!! Looks super cool, but not super fast -Christina

[@natewilberding4918]

@@pinkbike the “ol roost” is steezy thou also 2021 trek remedy review??

[@heirilosman4926]

@@pinkbike That's what I'm looking forward to. And your fork performance looks great! So active and tracks the ground through the corner. Marz?

[@andybrad4721]

I love these videos from this lass. No idea who she is but the video are great.

[@pinkbike]

Cheers bud!

[@alex1231235]

Awesome vid and super helpful Christina! You're a great teacher.

[@pinkbike]

Thanks Alex! I really appreciate that feedback -Christina

[@olivert.7192]

good video

[@channingvenegas9984]

We love you!!🥰💯🤘

[@hardtailparty]

Fanastic work Christina. This was really well done.

[@aebbers]

@pinkbike this video is amazing. Thank you! CC - amazing job!

[@pinkbike]

Cheers!!! CC... haven't heard that one in a while, love it! -Christina

[@GOTCHAPARK]

Cutest MTB coach on KZbin ! Thanks for making this video and keep up the good work !

[@petec223]

Fantastic explaination, what a communicator!

[@sexytrashpanda]

Thank you Christina! That might be the friendliest tutorial on this that I've seen! xx

[@pinkbike]

Hey thanks! It's quick but has a lot of useful info to get out there and start practicing -Christina

[@uberdisco]

You should go watch Kyle & April Ride MTB then, that guy is so nice!

[@alexkarliychuk504]

When I was first time in bikepark with huge berms I understood that I suck there. After that I asked to my friend - how to ride berms. He told me the same as in this video. I want to ride berms again, but this season is over... =)

[@pinkbike]

Always some good flat ground to practice on so that when the season kicks back up, you're ready to shred! -Christina

[@alexkarliychuk504]

​@@pinkbike Thank you, Christina, I'll try! And thanx for the video, nice MTB skills!

[@patfish3291]

i like it! :-)

[@NDemanuele1]

Great video! Descending Switchbacks is what I struggle with. Any Vids on this?

[@jarnold1789]

Get your weight over the back of the bike, set up wide, maintain speed

[@NDemanuele1]

@@jarnold1789 Thanks. But I struggle with the Braking aspect. I understand I need to feather the brake but as you're descending you're vulnerable to going in too hot. It's tricky.

[@unstablefakepresident8558]

@@NDemanuele1 depends if the trail is loose or solid. If it's loose you want to slow down early and keep your weight centered. Don't rely on the front wheel for traction, just basic steering. Use the rear wheel for traction, don't be afraid to tap the rear brake while in the turn as well. It will help to kick the rear end out. Having a dropper helps massively, if you don't have one drop your seat down. If your bike leans to the left lean your body to the right.

[@pinkbike]

Thank you! I'll be doing a follow-up video on steeper and more tech corners soon. Make sure to check back :-) -Christina

[@gatoryak7332]

I recommend that you practice track stands and other slow moving balance drills. Those exercises helped me immensely on downhill switchbacks and other technical features.

[@treborhandson7227]

Best video so far thank you . Now I'm gonna send it ^_^

[@tinshield]

She does a great job!

[@thecakeisalie7070]

I wonder if there're benefits to having a higher sus/shock spring rate as you pin berms and maintaining clearance? Or is it more of a low speed compression adjustment question as the input is very slow?

[@pinkbike]

Berms and Jumps would fall under the "low speed compression" category... so a heavier spring or more air (or think of a hardtail in a pumptrack) would make the response quicker but not necessarily provide the best traction. Depends what you want more, speed or traction. Hope that makes sense! -Christina

[@doxielain2231]

I've been puzzled by berms because I haven't seen anything go into the basics like this. Thank you!

[@pinkbike]

No problemo! I spent a weekend this summer hitting some HUGE berms that were 10+ feet tall, and then it clicked! Speed is your friend on those -Christina

[@skyla-idiot]

YES YES YES!!! Thank you Christina 🙏

[@Marrawi01]

What bike brand are you using itsss so nice kinda looks like my dream bike Giant Trance of a frame or GT full suspension mtb??

[@pinkbike]

I'm riding the Trek Slash in this video. 29r wheels -Christina

[@FifeFlow]

Cornering Queen right there! I need to take some time just to practice corners.

[@pinkbike]

So much of this summer was spent home in BC and so I got to revisit lots of things that have held me back over the years..including corners! With less racing on the schedule, I suddenly had time to do some sessioning which helped a ton! -Christina

[@nathangoodson3877]

I like the cornering @christinachappetta but I'm still looking for the off camber cornering lesson ;)

[@Max-wm9ee]

Nice video. I often lose my front tire before the rear tire, what might I be doing wrong?

[@matthewc4503]

More weight on the front tire might help

[@thebeardedman-drenaline5546]

Very pro 🤙 thanks for the tips!

[@nikolaitownsend1239]

Good Video. What kind of trek bike was that?

[@pinkbike]

Trek Slash 29r, thanks for noticing -Christina

[@greyrussell9237]

Who coaches the best riders in the world?

[@gernotkvas6364]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/onvFgKmilLioppY

[@500bunkerhill]

Steve Peat.

[@MaxMustermannnnnn]

Gmbn videos

[@D6onGPS]

Coaches

[@yohanyonsson]

@@gernotkvas6364 My favourite cornering video is with Kasper Wolley kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnvJZZWHZt5knJI

[@madisonlee9973]

are you leaning ur outside leg on the bike some?

[@leanderhovestadt5455]

Thanks for the great video! I just have one question: I saw your pedal position was outer foot down for both techniques. Do you think this is the way to do it for berms? I thought its easier to carry more speed out of berms by having a horizontal pedal position.

[@Mr.Finkel]

depends on how much risk you want to take with the inside pedal hitting the ground. which is dependent on how much you lean the bike over.

[@melongaming7282]

What are thos3 handle bars

[@Tubbs_1971]

What? Perfection to me is quite essential We have to live up to our potential So i work real hard all day and night I get to it and i do it cause i want it right! -Run-DMC lol.

[@drmoynihan]

Christina - Your video on ROOTS really helped me and gave me confidence in riding the Oregon Trails where EVERYTHING IS FULL OF ROOTS!!! However, my least favorite corners are full of roots and so going up hill I come around the corner only to find them full of roots - which are absolutely terrible when they get wet and slippery - which happens almost always in Oregon. :) Thank you again Christina for these excellent videos. P.S. Still not going down that steep rock wall - LOL :)

[@pinkbike]

hahah Awesome!!! Love it! I'll do another cornering video soon and try to throw some roots in there as well ;-) -Christina

[@coreystyles]

Great Video thanks for sharing 🙌

[@payoladaspegaso]

The position of the feet is flat both or always the outer foot has been positioned underneath¿?

[@rafaelgodoy3703]

Hola Alejandro, hay un video de Paul The Punter con Kasper Woolley, en el que se aborda con más profundidad el tema. Te lo recomiendo!

[@pinkbike]

That is a complex question to be honest. You don't NEED to do one or the other. However, weighting the "outside" foot while cornering can help keep traction in that direction, opposite to the where the inside of the berm is and where you don't want to go! -Christina

[@payoladaspegaso]

@@pinkbike I never thought you'd reply to Christina's message! You blew my mind! You're the best... and you know it! Basically this comes because there is always a friend who defends your flats feets and another who defends the weight on the outer foot... And see if there was a winner with you as a judge! hahaha Thanks Chris!

[@pinkbike]

@@payoladaspegaso hahaha love it! Putting my in the middle of a friendly debate. It's what I'm here for -Christina

[@AndrewLakey]

Well done

[@itsmewatts]

Who coach coaches?

[@jebronlames9061]

Thank you so much for this video. Every time I ride berms I keep leaning in too much then I fall. Keep making these tutorials.🤟🤟🤟🤟

[@pinkbike]

Awesome! Glad you enjoyed! I practice a LOT on the way to and from the trails. Almost like a warm up for my hips to make sure I'm rotating and not being a plank of wood! -Christina

[@OutOfThisVan]

Gotta love a flat corner after a steep straightaway. Thanks for the tips.

[@pinkbike]

Right?!?! Reminds me of that nasty right hander in the Maribor dh track hahah that looked savage! -Christina

[@mufcion]

I love it how she talks about flat corners but rides berms...

[@JCintheBCC]

Except at 0:45, 1:30, 2:00... After that, she's talking about berms and riding berms. What am I missing?

[@unstablefakepresident8558]

Talk about off camber turns!

[@pinkbike]

I tried my best to find some flat corners on trail...not in a parking lot.. haha turns out it's kinda hard here where all the trails are amazing -Christina

[@mufcion]

@@pinkbike lucky you ;)

[@drewsenthused6079]

Chock full of info!

[@forestkan6653]

Woohoo! Best presenter!

[@user-yz9kp9rl1t]

good knowledge, baby

Such a fluent presenter!

[@pinkbike]

Thank you! Takes a lot of practice and many outtakes haha -Christina

[@PowderRider23]

If the best riders of the world gets coached cornering, who coaches them? *mind blown*

[@123-lplp2]

Every „Flat corner“ in this Vid was higher than 90% of the corners on my Home Trails

[@1000750]

Funny how you are left foot forward and struggle on right turns. Which way do you jump a hip better left or right?

[@JustinH72]

I do the same. I find it way easier to corner with the inside foot forward

[@1000750]

@@JustinH72 which way would you jump a hip or spin

[@unstablefakepresident8558]

Your foot stance doesn't dictate how you corner. Legs aren't static the whole ride 🤣🤣

[@1000750]

@@unstablefakepresident8558 on a ramp say bmx right foot forward most people jump or spin left so you feel more comfortable basically turning left. But yes most the time you are 12 and 6 in a turn.

[@JustinH72]

@@1000750 I spin right

[@priestmethodiuschwastek7308]

Nice!

[@dylansmyth8820]

Christina is an EXCELLENT presenter. Super natural on camera. Best I've seen since Blake or Neil from GMBN. Great job, and thanks for the tips!!

[@pinkbike]

YEW!!! I'll take that! Thanks so much, I appreciate those kind words so much -Christina

[@paulmcdaniel9487]

Good and helpful video. What type of shoes are you wearing?

[@pinkbike]

Thanks so much! I have been wearing the Shimano AM9 (clipless) shoes for a while now and love them for comfort on and off the bike. I've been known to wear them for 12 hours some days. They've ridden many 100's of km's this year on my road, trail and dh bike -Christina

[@paulmcdaniel9487]

@@pinkbike Thank you for your response, and thanks for the heads up about the Shimano shoes, I'm going to look for a pair! Best always.

[@frncs22]

What is her height? Is her bike xs 29er?

[@unstablefakepresident8558]

She'd corner faster on a 26"

[@pinkbike]

@@unstablefakepresident8558 I think everyone would?? It's science... -Christina

[@pinkbike]

Yep I ride the small Slash 29r and I am 5'4"...on a tall day -Christina

[@unstablefakepresident8558]

@@pinkbike yeah science. I'm 6'1" and ride a 26"

[@benjaminmtb84]

Can you do one for hardtails maybe

[@JustinH72]

It's the exact same. But don't hit that rock

[@pinkbike]

Pretty much same same, just be precise with your line choice to make sure you're picking nice, smooth lines and not going to get bucked off-line -Christina

[@eugenegutierrez5106]

That Handel bar is way too wide. 900mm I presume?

[@ehyojono]

Your bike colour, is that a custom colour? It’s cool man.

[@hughjanus3512]

I think that’s just the normal Trek orange

[@scottykillmore7549]

Looks like the new trek slash or fuel

[@gundamnit3594]

standard trek slash orange you can get on several models.

[@pinkbike]

Thanks for noticing! When I got the bike I totally thought it was a custom paint job for me hahahaha NOPE! Not that special... or maybe everyone is special??? Either way, I love how it sparkles -Christina

[@gundamnit3594]

@@pinkbike Sorry to ruin it for you, it's on all new carbon models. I've been looking at getting a new 2021 slash.

[@alcaholic640]

I never thought i would say it but my 29ers seem to keep more momentum and have better traction than my 26s did in corners

[@NorthstarSanZbar]

If the best riders in the world get coached in cornering, who teaches them?

[@TimMaddux]

Look for ICP or PMBIA certified coaches.