Mastering Mountain Biking Techniques for Steep Terrain Challenges

Ever been intimidated by those gnarly mountain trails that make your palms sweat just looking at them?

You’re not alone.

Every mountain biker reaches a point where the trail gets steep, the rocks get big, and you start questioning your life decisions. Every rider has been there, white-knuckling the handlebars like life depended on it.

But there’s hope…

Mountain biking on steep terrain is NOT just a test of bravery. It’s a skill that can be learned. With the right techniques, you can go from sweaty-handed noob to laughing all the way down.

You don’t need to be a downhill demon or Thor’s descendant to do this, either.

With practice and the proper know-how, you can confidently tackle even the steepest slopes. Whether you’re browsing the selection at your local sporting goods store in Gaithersburg or finally giving mountain biking a shot for the first time, these biking techniques will revolutionize your sports biking experience.

What You’ll Learn:

1. Perfect the perfect posture
2. Master Your Brakes
3. Navigate the terrain
4. Conquer those climbs
5. Set it right
6. Don’t be an adrenaline junkie
7. Bonus Tip: Weather awareness
8. Finishing up

Perfect the perfect posture

Before diving in, here’s a game-changing revelation…

Body position is THE most important factor for successfully navigating steep terrain. And literally. Your position on the bike has a bigger impact than everything else combined.

Instinctively, most riders go into their standard “mountain biking position” when it gets steep.

That’s a mistake.

What you do up top is going to change significantly from how you ride on flatter ground. It’s natural to move back on the seat as things get steep. Guess what?

You need to do the opposite.

You need to move your body weight forward!

Here’s what you should be doing instead:

• Keep your weight centered over the bike
• Drop your heels down below the pedals
• Bend your elbows and knees
• Keep your chin up and eyes up and scanning ahead

Body position is your suspension. You want to stay loose, not rigid with tension. Mountain biking participation has significantly increased, with 9.2 million participants recorded in 2023. Your average sports biker will battle with their position on the bike at first, but with enough practice, you can transform your ride into a more joyful experience.

Think about how simple a change that can make such a big difference is!

Master Your Brakes

Hold on, this is where most riders run into trouble…

Your brakes are a powerful tool, but on steep terrain, they can also get you into a world of trouble if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Grabbing fistfuls of front brake on a steep, loose descent?

Bound for meeting the trail face-first.

Truth is effective braking on steep terrain is all about the timing and modulation. You want to brake BEFORE the descent, not during it.

Here’s how to do it right:

• Use both brakes together, roughly 70% rear and 30% front
• Pulse the brakes instead of dragging them
• Shift your weight back a little when braking hard
• Release brakes in technical sections of trail

The steeper the terrain, the more important this is. You need your tires rolling to maintain traction. Locked wheels don’t steer, they slide.

Navigate the terrain

Finding the best line down a steep trail is an art form.

It’s like playing chess and trying to think moves ahead. Going for the most obvious line on steep terrain can often be a rookie mistake.

Look for features like:

• Smooth transitions between rocks and roots
• Natural berms to aid in turns
• Spots where you can regulate your speed
• Escape routes if needed

The key is to constantly be scanning ahead. You want your eyes focused on where you’re going, not staring at the steep drop right in front of your wheel.

Steep lines can sometimes be safer and smoother than it looks. A gradual, rock-strewn descent can be way more challenging than a steep, clean, flowing line.

Conquer those climbs

Pushing your bike up a hill is nobody’s idea of fun.

But climbing steep terrain is where most mountain bikers give up and resort to walking. You want to improve your performance in the quickest way possible. Nearly 50% of mountain biking participants are from households with incomes exceeding $75,000 annually, and even riders with the most premium bikes can’t seem to get over the hump of steep climbs.

Here’s the secret:

It’s not power, it’s technique and momentum.

Start by picking the right gear BEFORE the climb. Shifting under tension on a steep climb is a great way to snap your chain. You want a gear that’s easy enough to maintain a cadence, but not so easy that you’re just spinning your wheels.

Your climbing body position is 180 degrees from descending:

• Slide forward on your saddle
• Keep your chest low
• Pull back on the bars and push forward
• Smooth, circular pedal strokes

Weight distribution is key here. Too far forward and your rear wheel spins. Too far back and your front wheel lifts.

Set it right

Your bike setup can make or break your experience on steep terrain.

This isn’t about forking out the big bucks for a new bike. It’s about simple adjustments you can make that take a few minutes but make a world of difference.

Tire pressure is a game-changer:

Lower pressure gives you way more traction on steep loose terrain. Try running around 23-25 PSI on steep trails vs. 28-30 on regular terrain. Don’t go TOO low though and risk pinch flats.

Suspension setup matters too. You want your suspension slightly softer to help soak up the bigger impacts.

Quick adjustments that help:

• Lower your saddle for descending
• Adjust brake lever angle for steep terrain
• Check your brake pads
• Go for wider handlebars for more control

Don’t be an adrenaline junkie

Here’s the thing nobody likes to talk about about when it comes to conquering steep terrain…

Practice makes perfect.

This doesn’t mean you start on the gnarliest double black diamond downhill trails. You want to find a small hill in your local park and start there. Practice the techniques in a controlled environment where you can test things out safely.

Work on one skill at a time:

• Monday: Body position
• Wednesday: Braking
• Friday: Line selection

Taking it slow like this is how you build confidence and skill without a hospital visit.

Researchers have shown that poor technique and excessive speed are the primary causes of mountain biking injuries on steep terrain. But riders who practice proper technique have a significantly lower risk of being injured.

Bonus Tip: Weather awareness

Weather and conditions can make or break your ride on steep terrain.

A dry, dusty trail is one thing. Wet, sloppy roots can turn into an ice rink. Rocks and exposed roots become skidding hazards.

Learn to adapt your technique based on the weather:

• Wet conditions = lower tire pressure, smoother inputs
• Loose conditions = stay light, let it flow
• Rocky = pick your line carefully, maintain momentum

Finishing up

Perfecting your approach to steep terrain mountain biking is about skill, not just bravery or muscle.

It’s a combination of understanding the right techniques and practicing those skills regularly, then slowly progressing.

Every big name mountain biker started right where you are, terrified of that first steep descent.

The techniques covered in this article are the foundation of becoming a confident steep terrain rider. Body position, braking, line choice, climbing, and bike setup are all the essential building blocks of efficient, successful, and fun sports biking on steep terrain. Master the basics and those intimidating trails will suddenly become exciting challenges rather than monstrous threats.

Mountain biking on steep terrain is SUPPOSED to be fun. Don’t let your fears get the best of you. Start small and progress at your own pace, and remember to ride within your limits.

Grab your bike and show those steep trails who’s boss!