Video: Fundamental MTB Skills with Wade Simmons

59 Comments

33 2

ReformedRoadie (Dec 3, 2021 at 12:21)

Wade seems surprised a lot of riders lack fundamental skills... He'll be really surprised if he watches Friday Fails and sees it doesn't stop them from launching off sh!t.

13 2

DutchmanPhotos FL (Dec 3, 2021 at 12:36)

@ReformedRoadie

So true-. Overhere where I live I see so many 30+ noobs getting into mountainbiking. They show up at the bikepark with 6 months of experience, talking like they've been riding forever and hit stuff so sketchy that I'm about to grab my phone to call 911 everytime they catch air... It's absolutely terrible.

And that's why I think, for my country at least, mountainbiking is the most dangerous outdoor sport (see poll). People can get into it fairly cheap and easy and they don't know how fast mountainbiking can become very dangerous if you totally don't know what you're doing.

Confluence-Outdoors (Dec 3, 2021 at 18:17)

@DutchmanPhotos:

Great point. Find some good instruction and prac*tice.

kilo11 FL (Dec 4, 2021 at 7:45)

Everyone thinks they can Rampage until it's time to stick the landing.

iduckett FL (Dec 6, 2021 at 7:53)

@DutchmanPhotos: You're not wrong. Not to defend 30+ noobs but a lot of folks only get 1 or 2 days to do bikepark a year. Myself included. I have to actively remind myself to take it slow on a bike park day and not think about the fact that it's my one chance to charge DH all year.

23 2

Phillyenduro (Dec 3, 2021 at 11:39)

It's actually startling to find useful, rider-oriented content on Pinkbike these days.

Phillyenduro (Dec 3, 2021 at 12:55)

Like, holy cow! a post on Pinkbike for people who like to mountain bike and want to get better and have more fun. Imagine that. And that's informative. It's honestly disorienting. It's like we're back in 2018, folks. Thank you Wade Simmons for blowing our OutsidePinkbike-hating minds.

rrolly (Dec 4, 2021 at 6:31)

I'll probably get downvoted for this, but whatever. As highly as I think of Wade, this isn't a great how-to vid. If you want really good step-by-step progression videos, look up Ryan Leach or Fluid Ride's channel on YT.

yoobee (Dec 4, 2021 at 7:56)

@rrolly: Wade definitly does not address rookies here.

Sethsg (Dec 4, 2021 at 10:28)

Great video as always.

It is surprising how bad people are at riding I know people who ride way more than me on the trails (once a week or more, I only do it every month or so right now) yet they are terrible and are so sketchy on their bikes.

I think one of the main reasons is “mountain bikers” only ride their “mountain bikes” when they go “mountain biking” and never just mess around otherwise around there house doing things like bunny hops, wheelies, hucking stairs, and all that fun stuff.

If people don’t ever mess around on their bikes and get comfortable and confident with their bike they will only progress a bit then hit a wall.

A lot of the top mountain bikers have backgrounds in things like BMX or trials riding.

nimmo (Dec 4, 2021 at 21:30)

There's a huge bike handling difference in those that grew up on bikes and those that picked it up in adulthood. Realistically those who picked it up later are never going to log the days we used to spend from dawn to dusk out at the local crappy jumps, skateparks and just out making fun out of the smallest bank to curb we could find. I've got several buddies who smoke me down a trail but would never try to hop a hub height chain on the way there.

Woody25 (Dec 5, 2021 at 4:52)

Must resist BMX background joke

fabwizard FL (Dec 3, 2021 at 18:38)

Out on a limb here but when skidding isn't the turn initiated by couner steering just like a normal turn. Using your hips just throws the bikes balance off just like the article a few days ago on pb about the unridable bike.

fabwizard FL (Dec 3, 2021 at 19:16)

Counter steering oops

AndrewHornor (Dec 3, 2021 at 23:35)

Once you've been riding for a while you kinda naturally set up into corners with something that transfers weight a bit like a scandi flick, but when you nail it properly and the bike stands up sideways the wrong direction before dropping into a tight corner, it feels like unlocking a next level. I know, because I've done it accidentally a couple times! Lol. Thanks Wade, I'll be passing this one along to all my riding buddies.

AndrewHornor (Dec 4, 2021 at 6:12)

Did you ever make a late night comment and read it again later and realize you may actually be @ExcitedPinkbike?

iduckett FL (Dec 6, 2021 at 8:00)

Funny, I just noticed the other day riding behind a buddy who does it, that I've been making the motions, just not emphasizing them enough. Full magic feeling when you nail it!

miller22 (Dec 4, 2021 at 6:13)

Awesome video Wade. As a father of upcoming young rippers you sometimes forget to teach the basics & just go out riding trails w/ the kids in tow. This video has reminded me that good fundamental skills learned now leads to great riding for everyone in the future.

Saulsack (Dec 4, 2021 at 7:14)

Let’s see a fitness routine Wade!! You have to be mentally & physically fit to ride into the sunset. Hell even most of us who fallow you are older than duff, not quite dirt old but definitely as old as duff. Maybe a morning routine, Yoga? Gym? CrossFit?? Idk. How about what you do to cross train, Moto? BMX? Ski?? What ever keeps you on point & shredding hard AF…

bombdabass FL (Dec 6, 2021 at 2:15)

I reckon I could have saved myself a separated shoulder, two dislocated shoulder, a broken scaphoid and a broken metatarsal if I had actually invested in some coaching earlier. Everyone can get something from being coached. That said Im glad I learnt how to skid before tyres cost 70 quid each. Now I just think of pound coins flying off the wheel every time I lock up.

wnaj (Dec 23, 2021 at 7:33)

Some of this was good. However, you are covering too many things in one video and glossing over the subtleties. During the bunny hop part, you talk about pedal kicks which you don't really explain (What is "powering"). Some things are confusing. You say right foot forward makes right skids easier (true, since it's easier to push that way with the left foot) but on wheel lifts you say the same, as you move you front wheel to the left. Then you say you are going to the left as you lift your wheel to the right. The trackstand and manual instructions were good.

mariomtblt (Dec 3, 2021 at 11:02)

absolute legend

C4coach (Dec 3, 2021 at 12:34)

Great vid, thanks Wade!

plyawn (Dec 3, 2021 at 14:24)

I know how to skid, but I also have to buy my own tires

Yaan (Dec 10, 2021 at 16:50)

That's what the worn out ones are for. Skidding practice.

jaydawg69 FL (Dec 3, 2021 at 15:21)

Wades World

Purdeo (Dec 6, 2021 at 16:51)

we aren't worthy!

on-the-move (Dec 3, 2021 at 23:23)

Are these skills transferable to E-bikes?

20 0

Scout290 (Dec 4, 2021 at 3:41)

You’d probably need a USB drive.

i-am-lp (Dec 4, 2021 at 6:14)

@Scout290: I wanted to add something smart too, but no.. You won the internet today sir!

Scout290 (Dec 5, 2021 at 4:45)

@i-am-lp: Thank you sir!

Jack20 (Dec 3, 2021 at 18:18)

Wades sweet but what about that 1st gen toyota in the backround on the opening clip?

JLastra (Dec 3, 2021 at 22:12)

Skids use brakes, cutties do not use brakes, and Scandi flicks brakes? Or no brakes? It definitely looked like a locked rear wheel in the first flick.

Whatinthesamhill (Dec 4, 2021 at 20:31)

I definitely need to work on all of these skills more myself, but there is an air of the “break the wrist and walk away” dude from Napoleon Dynamite here. Wade is great.

deez-nucks (Dec 5, 2021 at 12:17)

“Here’s a skill for ya” (perfect Wade Simmons bc accent) “just find a big cliff on… and ya just ride off it. Easy. See thot? Great skill”

wobblegoblin (Dec 3, 2021 at 11:29)

So we now know what a Scandi-flick is, but no mention on how…do you brake? Drift???

ReformedRoadie (Dec 3, 2021 at 12:42)

I use the brake to both start the opposite skid and control speed, but not too much, as the point is to carry more than you would otherwise. It is definitely satisfying when you execute it properly.

WayneParsons FL (Dec 3, 2021 at 11:35)

Scandi flicks = Kamloops kick outs

Bomadics FL (Dec 3, 2021 at 11:41)

If a Scandi flicks in the forest, does anybody hear?

pen9-wy (Dec 3, 2021 at 11:52)

Wade's the best. Thanks Wade.

Makes a little bit of me sad to see Il Padrino clipped in though

cmcc (Dec 5, 2021 at 12:47)

I don’t always skid but when I do it’s because it’s full on to save my bike.

7 10

Herge2000 (Dec 3, 2021 at 13:09)

Nice techniques, BUT sorry guys, the scandi flicks just destroys any natural trail out there and leeds to unnecessary discussions with rangers and hikers! In bike parks you may pay for it but also there the shaper crew are supposed to be unhappy.

ocho FL (Dec 3, 2021 at 16:03)

Quite possibly the best dad bod biker on the planet

dump (Dec 3, 2021 at 18:27)

Solid fundamentals displayed here. Highly recommended.

natecher (Dec 3, 2021 at 19:54)

These videos are great. Thanks Wade!

mikedk (Dec 3, 2021 at 20:22)

Keep em comin Wade. Great stuff.

dldewar (Dec 5, 2021 at 23:02)

I have Brim Envy.............

shwinn8 FL (Dec 3, 2021 at 16:20)

The Legend

Bourdeau (Dec 4, 2021 at 6:41)

Many thanks Wade

Stinky-Dee (Dec 4, 2021 at 8:17)

IMBA POLICE HERE - Do not skid on trails! It harms little rodents like cute squirrels

tdhr (Dec 4, 2021 at 8:56)

Legend!!!

Below threshold threads are hidden

12 17

SATN-XC (Dec 3, 2021 at 11:02)

serious question...but shouldn't you avoid doing skids, cutties, and Scandi flicks unless you are riding on a private trail that you can repair afterwards?

wobblegoblin (Dec 3, 2021 at 11:14)

Huh??? How else will trail builders know that top level riders are the ones tearing up the trails????

11 4

connormacleodvideo (Dec 3, 2021 at 11:15)

Wade is the last person that would ever encourage damaging a trail. All of these skills can be applied without damaging trail; moreover they can be applied to save you from damaging yourself! If you are comfortable sliding in the gravel lot, you will be more prepared for it when you slide out on the trail. Cheers!

18 2

Mtmw (Dec 3, 2021 at 11:26)

When Wade slides on a trail if you listen closely you can hear the trees whisper “thank you”.

SATN-XC (Dec 3, 2021 at 11:50)

@connormacleodvideo: totally agree, not implying he's encouraging damaging the trails; just think he can leave those techniques off a "fundamentals" video. We already have enough morons out on the trails, don't need to give them anymore ideas

wobblegoblin (Dec 3, 2021 at 12:45)

@SATN-XC: obviously scandi flicks are as fundamental as bunny hopping, wade even shows a side by side video of how much faster he took the corner doing a scandi as not. /s

ultimatist (Dec 3, 2021 at 13:05)

@SATN-XC: I get your points, but if MTB becomes "don't damage anything", we might as well cut the knobs off the tires. One muddy equestrian ride does more damage than thousands of scandi flicks.

yoobee (Dec 4, 2021 at 7:54)

Skidding and cutting does not destroy trails, it builds up berms in a natural way