How To – MBR

How many of these 12 hidden features on your bike do you know about?

Danny Milner — Tue, 07 May 2024 09:44:52 +0000

Modern mountain bikes boast more hidden features than James Bond's Aston Martin. Here's our run down of the most commonly found features you may not know you even had.

12 hidden features on your mountain bike

If you’ve just bought a new mountain bike, there’s a lot to learn, and not all of it is obvious. …Continue reading »

How to wash your waterproof jacket, and why fabric softeners are death to Gore-Tex

Jamie Darlow — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 10:46:46 +0000

Technical clothing needs looking after, here's how to wash your jackets and trousers so they remain waterproof. Plus, how to reproof them, and fix them if they tear

You can wear pretty much whatever you want on a bike, but investing in one of the best mountain bike …Continue reading »

Setting your shock sag is harder than you think – here’s how to do it right

Danny Milner — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 06:00:30 +0000

Getting the right sag is a vital step on the way to optimum suspension performance, but only if you're doing it right. These points are important to consider when starting on your suspension journey.

Setting your suspension sag the right way

Everyone knows how to set your sag, right? You’ve probably done it 100 times, and there’s a million videos out …Continue reading »

Get fit for mountain biking and racing in just 12 weeks, with strength training, cardio training, and skills routines for all levels

Jamie Darlow — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 11:00:56 +0000

Got goals for 2024? Racing? Riding further and faster? Tackling a mountain or two? Then strap on that heart rate monitor because here’s how to train for it all

Interval training is hard but it’s the simplest, quickest and most effective route to becoming a faster rider. Coach to the pros Alan Milway shows us how.

Mountain Bike Fitness: Expert training advice to boost your performance

Jonny Thompson — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 10:52:44 +0000

Our coach to the stars, tells you how to improve your strength and fitness for mountain bike riding and racing.

Doing a full press-up where your chest touches the floor is a great achievement

We all want to be better riders. Whether it’s railing corners faster, learning to jump, muscling up steep technical climbs, …Continue reading »

Cycle to Work Scheme: how to get a tax-free mountain bike and save up to 42%

Danny Milner — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 11:30:24 +0000

The scheme allows employees to spend on bikes and equipment, tax-free, making a claimed saving of up to 42 per cent on the overall value

Cycle to Work scheme was introduced ten years ago. Here's how to get at least 32% off the price of your next mountain bike in 2020.

Fast and Fit – Greg Minnaar reveals the secrets to staying fast in his forties

Sean White — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 08:43:36 +0000

Just how does Greg Minnaar stay fast, focused and injury free (touch wood!), even into his 40s? Coach Alan Milway lets us peek behind the GOAT's training curtain

Greg Minnaar

Words: Jamie Darlow It can be frustrating to hear yourself utter the words ‘I used to be able to…’ and …Continue reading »

How to bunny hop a mountain bike

Andy Barlow — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 07:37:39 +0000

As well as looking pretty damn cool, the bunny hop is the Swiss Army Knife of mountain bike manoeuvres. It’s not how high you can hop but how you’re getting off the ground that really counts.

Learning how to bunny hop and quickly create lift will allow you to smooth out trails by using obstacles to your advantage, as well as impressing mates.

Here’s how to brake better and go faster

Andy Barlow — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 08:00:52 +0000

Braking isn't just about stopping - the right braking technique will actually mean you end up going faster overall on the trail, with more confidence and control

Knowing when to brake can give you the control to go faster. We uncover the science behind braking. Here's how to brake better.

Structure your training week to go hard at the weekend

Jonny Thompson — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 11:00:14 +0000

Want to ride your best at the weekend? A few specific targeted training sessions during the week is all you need to make a huge difference to on-bike performance. Part of the YT Industries Be a Better Rider Week

It’s easy to convince yourself that you don’t have time to train. But it’s often not entirely the case. Don’t …Continue reading »

How to get the most out of your visit to a bike park

Andy Barlow — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 16:15:32 +0000

Looking forward to uplifts, table tops, jumps, berms and turns galore? Make the most of your visit, perfect these skills, and elevate your ride level.

Once the preserve of downhillers, now trail riders are filling the minibuses, drawn by the promise of a month's worth of descending in just one day.

Ultimate guide to handlebar cockpit set-up

Danny Milner — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 15:18:42 +0000

How to set up your mountain bike cockpit for ultimate control

How you set up your handlebars, shifters, brake levers and grips can have a huge impact on how your mountain …Continue reading »

How to set up mountain bike suspension: forks and rear shocks

Benjamin Haworth — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 13:15:02 +0000

Everything you need to know about how to set up your mountain bike suspension, including mountain bike fork, shock and coil shock suspension set up.

Everything you need to know about how to set up your mountain bike suspension. We're covering both suspension forks and rear shocks in this guide.

Be a better rider: how to choose the best line

Andy Barlow — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 14:07:10 +0000

How to plan ahead on the trails and pick the savviest lines. Ride smarter.

How to plan ahead on the trails and pick the savviest lines. Ride smarter.

We answer your most common electric mountain bike questions

Jamie Darlow — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 08:45:05 +0000

If you've got an eMTB, or you're thinking about getting one, chances are you've got some questions. We've rounded up the most common FAQs and provided answers, like how far can you get on one battery, whether it's okay to wash your electric bike, and how to bunny hop an eMTB.

E-bikes – they’re everywhere! And electric mountain bikes are a common sight on trails all over the planet; they’ve even …Continue reading »

Six ways to stay motivated to train when your willpower starts to fade

Jonny Thompson — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 06:21:02 +0000

While it's easy to know that training consistency is important for fitness gains, it's quite another to get yourself out and active when your brain and body says stay on the sofa, especially when the return on investment lessens with time. Luckily, we've got six tips to keep you going.

Rock Machine Blizzard

It won’t come as a surprise that even professional riders, who’s careers often depend on their race results, find it …Continue reading »

Anatomy of an electric mountain bike

Jamie Darlow — Fri, 26 May 2023 12:53:14 +0000

New to e-bikes? Dazzled by jargon like drive unit and display? Not really sure what the difference is between a full-powered and SL e-bike, or what that means for you as a rider? Don't worry, this will get you up to speed

Bike anatomy can be jargon-riddled as it is, then you add electricity to the mix and it gets a whole …Continue reading »

5 ways to get fitter on your e-bike (without even trying)

Jonny Thompson — Mon, 22 May 2023 13:19:32 +0000

Can you get fit on an e-bike. Yes, you can! In fact, incorporate a few fairly simple elements into your riding routine and you could end up boosting your fitness and ride handling skills without really feeling like you're doing anything much at all.

Without getting lost in the weeds of complex training theory, all you really need to achieve a high degree of …Continue reading »

E-bike fitness training: increase your strength, handle your eMTB better

Jonny Thompson — Sat, 22 Apr 2023 15:14:52 +0000

This dedicated 30 - 40 minute exercise programme will boost your fitness and strength, giving you better control and handling of your electric bike

I’m not going to lie, dedicated e-bike training protocols are a lot like e-bike specific bike components…mostly hype. But if …Continue reading »

Learn how to master the wheelie with Andy Barlow from Dirt School

Andy Barlow — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 06:28:37 +0000

The wheelie is a classic bike skill, and it's not just cool - it's great for handling all sorts of technical terrain.

Try to keep the pedal strokes going as the forward momentum will help you balance

The wheelie is one of the most iconic bike tricks, and while it’s obviously a lot of fun and always …Continue reading »

Mountain biker with punctured lung rescued using What3Words location app

Aoife Glass — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 07:45:44 +0000

The free What3Words app is increasingly being used by emergency services to help quickly locate and coordinate rescues, particularly in the UK - but it's not infallible. Here's everything you need to know on how to use it and what to be aware of.

Police and the East Anglian Air Ambulance conducted a dramatic rescue of an injured mountain biker from Thetford Forest, using …Continue reading »

How to endo on a mountain bike

Andy Barlow — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 06:18:46 +0000

The endo: a classic mountain bike move that's as practical as it is stylish. Master it, and you'll master steep terrain and navigating hairpin bends.

The endo doesn’t just look cool; it’s a next-level skill that has lots of applications. Use it to navigate tight …Continue reading »

How to service your OneUp Dropper Post at home

Mountain Bike Rider — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 15:33:04 +0000

Save some cash and keep your dropper post running good as new with a few simple tools and a step-by-step guide

OneUp Components, based in the mountain biking heaven of Squamish, BC, knows a thing or two about components, and they …Continue reading »

How to ride down steep descents on a mountain bike

Andy Barlow — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 08:33:02 +0000

Looking to boost your confidence and control when the terrain heads down and starts to get steep? Andy Barlow from Dirt School breaks down the essential techniques you need to master gravity.

Riding on steep and technical trails is always a combination of managing grip, body position, balance and confidence…all of which …Continue reading »

Brilliant money saving tips for mountain bikers

Jamie Darlow — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 04:02:24 +0000

Looking for ways to save money on mountain biking? Whether you're looking for cheap mountain biking kit or maintenance tips to help your bike running better for longer, we've got plenty tips and hacks to keep you going without spending lots.

The outdoors may be technically free, but mountain biking is becoming an increasingly expensive way to access it. With the …Continue reading »

Why track stands are useful and how to do them

Andy Barlow — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 10:49:29 +0000

Learn to track stand on your mountain bike and you’ll improve your range of motion, balance, confidence, and control

Looking at a fixed point on the ground is a great way of keeping your balance under control

It takes time, humility and lot of determination to really get your head around track stands, but the satisfaction of finally getting them is addictive.

The 10 tools you should have in your workshop toolkit

Paul Burwell — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 06:40:10 +0000

Looking to save some cash on bike maintenance? A few essential tools and some guidance and advice will see you right

tool kit

Fettling with your bikes is sometimes half the fun. Here's the ultimate workshop toolkit to ensure you can fix, upgrade and modify your pride and joy.

How to stop arm pump: what it is, what causes it, and how to prevent it

Jonny Thompson — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 08:36:10 +0000

Forearms feel like they're blowing up on long descents? We explain what's causing it, and what you can do to eliminate it

Whether it is clips vs flats or analog vs e-bike, there seems to be a lot of division in mountain …Continue reading »

Why NOT to train like a pro (and what to do instead)

Jonny Thompson — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 10:01:35 +0000

Unlike the pros, most of us are pushed for time - but by following a General Physical Preparedness (GPP) program, you'll see substantial physical improvements in as little as two sessions per week.

You’ve probably heard the business trope that ‘success leaves clues’. It makes sense then that if you want to ride …Continue reading »

How to ride smooth and clean on steep, technical, slippery trails

Andy Barlow — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 08:07:28 +0000

When the trails get wet, loose and rooty and grip is in short supply, it's important to clean up your technique, find traction where you can, and a smooth everything out.

Manualling off fast drops will keep your front end high and mean that both of your wheels can come down smoothly at the same time

Autumn is here. The trails are wetter, roots and rocks seem to be everywhere, and the ground that once provided …Continue reading »