Mountain biking is definitely something for adventurous people, this sport is not completely harmless. We have collected tips for more safety and fun on the bike from our talents and partners and summarized them here for you. So, you may not come clean, but at least safer over the trail into the valley. ;-)
Material check first!
Defective material can lead to serious consequences when mountain biking - so: check brakes, suspension, gears, spokes, tires & air pressure before hitting the trails! In addition, you should regularly check your bike for rusty or loose screws. Ideally, you should have your bike checked by a professional once or twice a year.
Position, brakes & co: The right driving technique
What is the right position? How do I shift my weight and how do I brake correctly? Basically, the rider stands on the bike with slightly bent arms and legs. The body's center of gravity is on the bottom bracket, and the weight is evenly distributed on the pedals. Always important: body tension!
When braking: "Just use the brake lever with your index finger, because the middle finger is our strongest finger and makes sure we can hold on to the handlebars well." says bike & motorcross guide Andi from Area 47. "Since the braking effect on the front brake is simply better, you should use it 70%, the rear brake 30%. However, this should be done with caution, especially when braking hard." Braking on wet surfaces, such as roots, wood or stones, should always be avoided.
Extremely important: Predictive driving! If you recognize obstacles early enough, you can react to them in time. In case of uncertainty, it is necessary to descend and identify the appropriate line. Attention: When descending, make sure to clear your way so as not to collide with other mountain bikers!
Renè Unterwurzacher, a passionate downhill and freeride biker, also has a few tips for you: "Always stay loose. Shift your body weight and your butt backwards; this weight shift reduces the risk of a rollover. And be sure to bend your knees when riding. That means getting out of the saddle! Even if the road gets bumpy or narrow - never sit down! You simply have much more control over your body and the bike when standing. Another useful tip is to lower the saddle before riding downhill. This automatically makes it easier to get to a standing position."
The right protective clothing
Helmet, protectors, goggles and MTB gloves are essential. And the rule is: the more colourful the better! This not only looks casual, but also makes you visible - and that is particularly important on the trails. Be sure to try on the helmet before buying, because only if the helmet fits, the protection also fits. Protectors for knees, elbows, back and neck should also be part of the protective equipment, especially when mountain biking is more off-road. Goggles protect you from branches & dust during the descent and therefore also from injuries.
The right gloves are also among the must-haves for every descent. In addition to comfort, gloves provide the necessary protection when mountain biking. "The very worst thing that can happen to you while biking is, of course, if you slip off the handlebars - and that happens pretty quickly without gloves! Gloves with appropriate grip are therefore particularly important!", says Andi. "In the event of a fall, or if bushes / branches look into the roadway while riding, gloves also protect against abrasions."
SHREDDER
Anyone for whom no trail is too steep, no bend too tight and no drop too high will love the SHREDDER. In cooperation with the young biking star Gabriel Wibmer, the glove is tailored to real shredders: The palm is made from perforated Amara with an elastic cuff so you can slip it on easily. The silicone print on the palm provides an ideal grip. Thanks to the integrated touch function, you won’t miss out on the latest Instagram post even when out and about.
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SIGNATURE GLOVE
Gabriel Wibmer: „This gloves provide optimum features for every sport which includes handlebars. I use them for downhill and trial bike as well as motocross – a real all-round model.” Handlebar control and tactility are decisive for Gabriel’s tricks and speed, and endow every off-road biker with security. Special perforated Amara with silicone print on palm, 4-way-stretch material with elastic waistband secures comfort all day, touchscreen-compatible.
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MTB PRO
Whether up-hill or down-hill - the MTB PRO is a reliable and functional companion for long, steep and rooty tours by bike. With 4-way stretch and Amara and silicone printing in the palm, not only a good fit but also sufficiently good feel is guaranteed. The closure at the wrist facilitates the tightening and ensures an improved passfrom.
buy now!To guarantee the best quality and function of our MTB gloves, we count on close cooperation with professionals in product development - after all, they know best what really matters. Bike young star Gabriel Wibmer gave us valuable input, and is thrilled with the outcome: "For me, handlebar control and comfort are the most important. Model Shredder and the Gabriel Wibmer Signature Glove fit perfectly. There are no friction points, they fit the hand perfectly. You don't actually notice that you have gloves on, that's the best thing for me. The gloves are an all-rounder, I use them for motocross, downhill or even trial bike riding. With my signature glove and the Shredder, you are optimally equipped for all sports where you need a good grip on the handlebars!", says Gabriel.
Photocredits: Martin Lugger (Header) | Area47 | Totschnig Flo
