MTB Basics: How to Corner Like a Trail Ninja
You can’t cut corners when it comes to cornering! Yes, we said it, you gotta go all in to master the corner.
Below are our fundamentals of cornering. Enjoy!
- Look Ahead & Relax Your Grip
Sounds obvious but it bears repeating: set yourself up for the corner before you get there. Check your stance. Loosen your grip on the handlebars and relax your shoulders so that they are not hunched or shrugged. As you approach the corner, look ahead into the corner and about halfway through the turn, look ahead to the corner exit and beyond. Don’t get caught up on insignificant trail obstacles. Focus on dominating that corner! - Set Up The Perfect Exit.
Exiting the corner well is almost more important than entering the corner well, so set yourself up for success. If you need to decrease your speed, brake before you hit the corner, and release the brakes through the corner. This will help you to regain control and speed as you exit. Switch gears prior to entering the corner. This will ensure you are in the correct gear for a strong, quick exit. - Use Your Body.
The tighter the corner, the more you should be putting your whole body into it. Turn your outside knee into the turn to encourage your bike through the corner. Use your hips! One of Seamus Powell’s top MTB tips, using your hips is crucial to corner like a pro. Tilt your hips into the corner, and put the weight of your entire body into it! Using your body to connect with your bike is a great way to improve on a variety of MTB skills, not just cornering.
The Key to the Corner: Focus on the exit, not the entrance. And by this, we specifically mean speed. You want to leave the corner faster than you entered it.
Master these fundamentals of cornering and you are one step closer to #trailninja status. We’ll be covering all of these fundamentals, as well as much more advanced cornering techniques, during our Trail Ninja Training Camp.
Article Sources: Kingdom Experiences
