Mountain Bike Tips Techniques NZ MTB Trails Clubs & Shops

MTB Cornering Tips

Using proper cornering technique assist you to maximise safety & performance when you are out mountain biking.

Scan
Constantly scan as far as you can see the trail giving you more time to identify lines, obstacles and speed.

Corner Type
Identify the type of corner if its banked or camber to determine speed and the line you will take.

Obstacles
Check for obstacles such as roots and stumps to try to avoid. Once you identify a hazard don't stare at it, if you do you are more likely to hit it, instead forces on the line you will take.

Terrain
Note the type of terrain, such if its sand, gravel, leaves or others, to be aware of the amount of grip that your tires will hold. The more grip you have the tighter and faster you can take the corner.

Arms
Keep you arms bent and loose to assist you in cornering smoothly and to minimise any impacts such as roots, rocks or other obstacles you might hit.

Legs
The inside leg should be up and outside leg down. This helps to avoid clipping obstacles and maximise the grip of the mountain bike tyre.

Lean
Lean the bike not your body, so that you keep your stability and center of gravity even but digs the bikes tires into the corner.

Torso
Keep low to lower you center of gravity with arms bent, legs bent and torso leaning over.

Pump
Pump into the corner by moving forward and pushing your arms and legs simultaneously down while you move back, this puts more pressure on the tires by compressing the bike and helps it grip into the corner.

Focus
Focus ahead and look through the corner to help you keep your lines smooth and prepare for what is ahead.