Want to Start Mountain Biking? Read This.

2025 is almost here, and while the idea of reinventing yourself overnight might sound tempting (thanks to those endless “new year, new you” articles), let’s be real — you’re not going to wake up tomorrow as a brand-new person. But picking up a fresh activity? That’s totally within reach.

To kick off the new year with something exciting (and maybe a little bit adventurous), Terrain reached out to experts in five outdoor activities to get their top tips for beginners. First up: Annie Schwartz, a mountain bike racer and instructor at Roots MTB in St. Louis, who’s here to share how to start mountain biking without turning your first ride into a hospital trip. Ready to hit the trail? Let’s roll.

Let’s say I’m brand-new to mountain biking. What’s the first thing I should do?
Make sure your bike is safe and functional to ride. That’s a big one. You’ll want either a mountain bike or a gravel bike with some pretty beefy tires. Usually, you can get a good used mountain bike for a couple hundred dollars. Also, make sure your tires are properly inflated. When you squeeze the tire, it should feel like you’re squeezing an orange — not too hard like an apple and not too soft like an old banana.

Anything else, equipment-wise?
Make sure your brakes work and your gears shift. If you can’t shift gears, you could hurt your knees. And make sure you have a helmet that fits. I see so many people out on the trails with no helmet. It’s definitely not going to enhance your experience if you give yourself a concussion.

What about pedals and footwear?
You can generally start with whatever pedal comes on the bike — a flat pedal. I don’t recommend the so-called clipless pedals for beginners. For footwear, avoid anything open-toed. No sandals, no Crocs. You can start with sneakers, but you’ll want to upgrade to mountain bike shoes pretty quickly.

Any particular mountain bike shoe you recommend?
Five Ten makes some great ones. I like their Trailcross models, which look and feel more like regular running shoes but have a sole designed for mountain biking. They’re super comfortable for mixing walking around and getting on and off the bike.

What are the fundamentals of riding?
When you’re riding singletrack trails with roots, rocks, and other bumps, it’s about getting in the proper position — an athletic stance. That means you’re standing up, out of the saddle, and you have equal weight on both pedals, which should be even with each other. This way, you can react a lot better. You won’t get bumped around and knocked off balance. You want to be balanced and stable.

Best trails for beginners?
Near St. Louis, there’s Bangert Island, Spring Valley Trail at Cliff Cave Park, and Bootlegger’s Run at Creve Coeur Lake Park. Near Kansas City, there’s Smithville Lake Trails.

Should beginners join a group or take a class?
Both! It’s more fun with friends. SLAMB — St. Louis Area Mountain Bikers — does beginner rides. Your local bike shop probably has group rides, too. And beginners can always do a skills clinic at Roots.

***

Key MTB Terms

“Singletrack”
A mountain bike trail that is narrow enough for only one rider to pass at a time.

“Hardtail”
A mountain bike with front suspension (a shock absorber) but no rear suspension.

“Full suspension”
A mountain bike with both front and rear suspension. Usually pricier than a hardtail.

Author: Shawn Donnelly is the managing editor of Terrain.

Top image: Annie Schwartz navigates a mountain bike trail with ease. (Kate Austin)