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MTB Pedaling Tips

Pedaling a bike come natural to most people, using the rotation of the front ring the pedal comes up and you push it down with your foot, and the opposite occurs on the other side. When it comes to mountain bike riding in some situations it seems like you are learning to pedal for the first time and knowing how to appropriately apply new techniques to this basic skill can increase you speed, stability and fun.

Pedals
There are two different types of pedals used on mountain bikes. One type are the flat pedals, that you can wear sports shoes and ride with, and the other kind are clip less, which require specialised biking shoes, that attach the shoe to the pedal. If you are riding with flats your pedaling motion only places momentum on the down ward stroke or pushing of the foot, while if you have clip less pedals you will also be pulling up on the stroke with you foot. This is more efficient and one of the reasons cross country riders wear these.

Seat Height
Make sure you set your seat height at the right level. This allows you to maximise your leg muscles on the downward push and nearly fully extends the leg.

Foot
Push down with the ball of your foot on the pedal so that you are transferring the energy efficiently and maintaining a good balance on the pedal, reducing the likely hood of slipping off.

Leg
Try to ensure you keep your leg straight. Many people have a tendency to 'flick' their knee out while pedaling and place extra wear and reduce the transfer energy. While you are pedaling try to imagine a line running from your hip to your foot and keep your feet and knee along it.

Gearing
Using your gears appropriately helps you maintain balance. Try to keep in a low gear when going down hill and higher gear when riding up hill. This will help you prevent your body from bouncing on the saddle when you are in too high of  a gear for your speed, and from loosing traction on your rear wheel cause you have to stand up to pedal when you are in to low off a gear heading up hill.