My 11-year old is gaining confidence and experience with mountain biking. I have none of either. Any tips for him? Should he stick with hardtail for longer?
by TheRealDoctorDRE
My 11-year old is gaining confidence and experience with mountain biking. I have none of either. Any tips for him? Should he stick with hardtail for longer?
by TheRealDoctorDRE
8 Comments
If you have the money, get that kid a better bike! He has a ton of potential
There is virtually nothing to critique here. He looks pretty damn sharp yo! I’m an advocate of hardtails. If he’s gonna be riding to the jump spots, a full springer will be harder for distance and the hard tail will keep his technique in check, cos they are less forgiving.
So personally seeing his (incredible) development, he sure looks ready for a full sus. Modern lockouts are very effective and he could use the cushion for more comfort and development.
I understand the appeal to hardtails but if jumps are what he likes, there’s little benefit other than on his way to the jumps if it’s a bike in. Again, he seems really comfortable and I think would benefit from some squish.
A little bit looser of riding may help him in the long run but he certainly looks like he’s right on track to be an amazing biker.
Overall looks very good.
His preload, and pop, needs a little work. You can see on some of the jumps he gets slightly pulled in by the compression. On these jumps you can see he has slightly less control.
At the spoon he can bend his legs so his hips drop another inch or two. He already has good timing on the pop, but he needs to push a little harder so the compression doesn’t pull his hips in. Noticeable best at the jump at 13s.
More pop let’s you go a little slower, making things a little safer. It also let’s you control your destiny a little more, also making things safer. It teaches you what a proper pump feels like, which is a core skill that improves every aspect in biking. It also gives more amplitude, so it looks cooler.
Just a little change and this kid will be boosting.
Keep pedaling. And taunt your dad on occasion.
Yes. Teach my son.
I think maybe he needs to give me some tips..
The only thing I would say for now is to juice the lip a tiny bit more and let the bike come up a bit more in the air.
Slowly getting used to moving the bike more because being stiff on the bike will get you eventually