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 Masterful Indeed!, May 31, 2005
By Cycling Coach (San Diego, CA United States)
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Bicycle training includes physical, psychological, and skills training. Although riders often ignore the latter, without skills training mountain bikers limit their potential enjoyment and development as competent cyclists.
This is one of the best books ever published on acquiring mountain biking skills, a book whose principles broadly apply to other forms of bicycling, including road cycling.
The book is well-organized and the topics flow well. The book begins with general bike set-up and pedaling, transitions to braking, cornering, hopping, dropping, and jumping, and puts the basics together in chapters about flowing, crazy (miscellaneous) conditions, and racing.
The book has more than 100 color photos and diagrams, which overall illustrate its points well. Diagrams, such as those on pages 64, 66, and 67 depicting zero, negative, and positive camber help the reader learn the meaning of familiar yet uncertain terms. Time-sequence photography, such as images on pages 106 and 107 illustrating the difference in jumping techniques of a dirt-jumper and cross-country racer are superb.
The book attempts to detail principles for beginners and experts alike, and overall does a great job.
As excellent as the book is, it could be improved.
A glossary would help. Authors and editors often forget that not everyone knows the meaning of the jargon words-such as rail and carve. Even if explained at first usage, a glossary of mountain biking terms would improve the book.
The language is hip, sometimes crude. Although attractive to many who practice downhill mountain biking, the lingo might not appeal to all. For example, in describing pedaling style at the bottom of the pedal stroke on page 34, the authors write: "Pretend you're scraping dog crap off the bottom of your shoe."
The book includes descriptions and illustrations that are inconsistent. For example, in describing a series of turns on page 59, the text describes a left then right series of turns, but the illustration is right then left. In describing how to carve flat turns, on page 66, the text says lean your bike more than your body, but the rider is leaning his body more than the bike. On page 69, in describing skidding into loose corners, the text describes the method of dealing with a skid turning left, but the time-sequence photos are of a rider turning right. Such inconstancies make it more difficult for the reader to follow the authors' points.
Sage advice has its exceptions. When exceptions are not qualified as such, readers may be confused. For example, throughout the book, the problems associated with needless, overzealous, panicked, or overly cautious braking are reiterated. The novice mountain biker may think: "Always stay off the brakes!" Yet in describing how to conquer switch backs, page 68, the first item of advice is "Slow WAY down....you want to reach a happy speed, not scare yourself..." which, of course, is what novice riders think in every situation they consider braking. If the authors had said: "This is an exception to letting-the-brakes-go-to-ride-more-effectively rule," they'd clarify their thinking for the reader and gain credibility.
These minor quibbles aside, this book has great information about mountain biking skills, from one of the most skilled riders who has every lived. If you are a mountain biker, get this book-even if only to look at the pictures.
Reviewer's note/disclaimer: The publisher sent me a review copy. I was not paid for this review.
65 of 68 people found this review helpful
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 Conscious Competence, December 25, 2005
By goodwrench (Central Texas)
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Learning anything proceeds along a continuum. Starting from where one isn't even aware how much one doesn't know, (unconscious incompetence), the first step is to become aware of just how much one doesn't know. This would be the stage of conscious incompetence. As one gains knowlege and practices a set of skills, they are in the phase of conscious competence. Elite atheletes, like Brian Lopes in mountain biking, have reached the stage of unconscious competence. They no longer even have to think about it, they "just do it." Lopes started riding at 4 years old, and turned pro at 17. Rising from the ranks of BMX, Brian has been successful in a vast range of off road biking activities. Not only has he been successful at many of the biking disciplines, he holds world records in bunny hopping and distance jumping, and he is even the star of a mountain bike video game "Downhill Domination" for PlayStation.
The problem is, people at Brian Lopes' level of unconscious competence are not necessarily any longer the best teachers for us mere mortals. The years of developing skills, motor memory, reflexes, and balance, mean folks at this level are no longer even aware of all that goes into their amazing performance. They aren't even necessarily able to say how they do certain things.
Enter Lee McCormack, a man who has been explaining things and writing about bicycling for years. Despite some pretty impressive biking acheivements of his own, he is still close enough to his conscious competence to break down and write about the basics and specific skills that go into excellent biking performance.
Mastering Mountain Bike Skills describes itself as for anyone who wants to ride better, faster, or more confidently. It helps you master the skills to all types of terrain in almost any type of situation: cross country, freeriding, downhill, dirt jumping, bikercross, urban terrain, and even skate parks.
Chapters cover bike selection and setup, balance, position, pedaling, pumping terraqin for speed, braking, cornering, wheelies and hops, drops, jumping,speed, lines, and racing.
I read this book straight through, but it's one you'll want to keep out and refer to often as you ride, develop, and practice skills. There's great tips and tricks for people at all levels of skill and experience. It's also fun that Lee throws a lot of little jokes in all through his writing. The combination of Brian and Lee have produced a book that will help me in getting back into mountain biking after an 11 year break, and will be referred to often.
38 of 41 people found this review helpful
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Is it too late in life???, September 29, 2005
By Savage Gringo (Grand Coulee, WA United States)
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I'm going on 53 and got my first mountain bike 1 year ago. After a rude introduction to single track, I decided to try and learn some skills. This book looked like a good source of info, so I ordered it. My first impression was that I'll never risk most of the moves shown by the pros in the book. It's definitely geared toward all-out riding. But I went back to the book and got more selective with the chapters. I then realized that all the basics are there. Not only are the techniques shown, but there's great explanations of why they work. It's almost like having a video. So what first looked like an intimidating how-to manual, now seems more like Pandorra's Box. I look forward to practicing whenever I can spare the time, then getting out and enjoying some terrain. The deer trails above my home have taken on new meaning.
37 of 39 people found this review helpful
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 Good...but not what I was hoping for, June 13, 2007
By Mad Kiwi (New Zealand)
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This is a good book, but it is a bit week on specifics of various techniques. It does have an element of unconscious competence coming through which is frustrating for intermediate riders like myself who need to be taught step-by-step.
It has great pictures but again some of the illustrations (e.g. big drops etc) don't really apply to anybody less than advanced riders, which makes it difficult for us intermediate riders to learn from.
11 of 16 people found this review helpful
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The most useful mountain bike skills book in exhistence!, March 7, 2005
By B. Ferkins
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I'm an "emerging" sport level DH/Freeride biker that wants to take it to the next level but I'm having trouble finding fast, knowledgable riders to ride with. In this book, I've found that rider and then some.... This book is very well illustrated with lots of detail starting from the basics to jumping 50ft gaps. Most of the books I've seen go to the extreme of showing you how to drop off a curb, MMBS shows you how to drop off a CLIFF. They have bike setup tips, usefull troubleshooting guides and tons of race winning tips. The list goes on... I received my book yesterday (#55 - Thanks for the signature Brian), I've read every word and I am looking forward to trying it all.
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
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I wish so much I could edit this book...., August 20, 2008
By mojo woikin' (technical single-track heaven in NH)
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I'm a former amateur road cyclist/USCF, etc., who hates cars & discovered serious mountain biking 8 years ago. I'm addicted to agressive, technical, cross-country single-track & ride 15+ hours/week. I have taught myself over the years by asking questions and observing, reading, etc. I did learn several things from this book, and reread parts just to renew my consciousness and allow key points to settle into my subconscious, and it does and has helped my riding, indeed, but nowhere near as much as I'd like. Still, I would recommend purchasing it.
Just that I would love to sit down with Lopes and edit each sentence, each diagram and photo, detailing in very clear, understandable language as to what is really meant to be conveyed, so that a mostly self-taught enthusiast who is into mountain biking purely for the personal thrill, and doesn't care about the lingo or keeping track of the "stars" or racing, could more easily incorporate these skills into his/her passion. The book makes some good points, a lot of them in fact, but it's just not well-written, and is frequently bereft of true definition. Both descriptions and terminology are lacking in definitive substance just where they are needed, and as good as the photos and sequencing might appear to someone flipping through, they too are often frustrating: when a very detailed, point-by-point explanation or diagram is needed, much is left to the imagination to finish.
One simple example, for example, lies in the use of words like "preload" and "load" in different places, when they mean the exact same thing: compress the fork and prepare to unload it once it has been loaded. 'Preload' should only be used to indicate a static shock (actually, even there, it's questionable---I tend to think the word itself is redunant) as in its position when the bike is at rest in order to adjust air pressure/inspect a fork/ measure, etc. Similarly, "pump" might sound obvious to the writers, but 'pump' is what my father would yell when I was 4-years old, meaning pedal hard. Defining terms and actions accurately and precisely, in a scientific sense and in relationship to similar words, for the benefit of the reader-student, seems to have been rarely taken into consideration. Many sentences and paragraphs are left open-ended (& often filled with puns - not that there's not a place for humor at times, but it's often distracting and leaves me wondering what the hell are they talking about). In addition to wanting to sit down with Lopes and help rewrite this book, which could be so much better than it is, an artist of the technical ability of say, the late illustrator Oscar Ratti (see _Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere_), could do a much better job than many of the photos. As with any good first textbook, hopefully this one will evolve into a 2nd edition, and edited for clarity by someone outside of the "industry'.
8 of 12 people found this review helpful
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great tool for improving your riding, May 3, 2006
By guy that still plays with toys (maryland)
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I'm lucky enough to live near some great off road trails - the Avalon area in Maryland. Problem is that I'm an old guy (the bike I had before the Cannondale Prophet I just bought is older than you!) (all right - I'm over 50) and I really like riding trails. So, now I've got a new bike that's a lot more capable than me, I want to get better. The trails I ride are twisty single track with lots of roots, rocks, stream crossings, occassional short downhills with berms on the turns... great stuff. Well, enough about me (it is all about me though isn't it?), but this book was a great help. First, as they say in the book "let the bike roll". When you're perched at the top of a gnarly section it's nice to be able to call up your mantra of "let the bike roll" as you head down into a gully full of rocks, roots, fallen branches etc. The book gives solid advice on skills to learn so that you get the most out of your bike (things like weighting and unweighting). It gives you insight into how to do things like manuals, hops, etc that most riders don't know how to do. (To learn you have to practice but this book really helps get you started). I've really enjoyed the book and read it and try stuff in it practically every day.
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
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Hip, KEWL, Rad, Bad, and Dangerous, July 3, 2009
By Reader, Cook, Gardener, Critic (Somewhere in NJ USA)
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This book is packed with beautiful color photos of airborne bicyclists. It inspires one to get out there, get pedaling, and get airborne. It has a lot of good tips on performance. In the first five chapters it talks about things that might be of interest to beginning and intermediate mountain bikers:choosing a bike, braking, to clip or not to clip, pedaling effectively, cornering, and so on. The bullet points and illustrations work very well. And it does an excellent job of it.
As the book extends into the late chapters, however, and the bikes become airborne, the book begins to convey a sense of "I'm the kewlest dude because I'm a world-class mountain biker who can hop 12 ft drops - hands tied behind my back, blindfolded, and sitting backward on the bike. And if you do everything I tell you, you can be just like me." Almost.
It's clear that the book is geared to a particular audience. So I wrote a quiz to help people decide if this is the right mountain bicycling book.
1) My age is:
- a)14-24,
- b)24-48,
-c) over 48.
2) My testosterone level is:
-a) stratospheric.
-b) moderate.
-c) nonexistent.
3) I think of a bicycle as:
-a) a good way to keep a rider airborne.
-b) a good way to travel mountain trails.
-c) a good way to get a mile or two away from the house.
4) My fitness level is:
-a) olympic athlete level.
-b) college scholarship level.
-c) lettered in a sport or less.
5) The prospect of riding twenty miles an hour on a slippery-wet, six-inch wide wooden rail suspended 20 feet above a rocky mountain floor:
-a) is appealing beyond my wildest dreams.
-b) seems like it might be scary and fun.
-c) seems suicidal.
6) One cannot live life fully without constantly putting oneself in danger of death or permanent four-limb paralysis:
-a) I strongly agree.
-b) I think its partly true, partly hyperbolic.
-c) what, are you insane?
7) Biking:
-a) is my whole life.
-b) is the focus of most of my free time.
-c) takes less than 30 hours per week of my time.
8) The amount I plan to spend on biking equipment and touring in the next five years is:
-a) $20,000 or more.
-b) $3000-$20,000.
-c) less than $3000.
9) I live:
- a) within five miles of hundreds of miles of mountain biking trails.
-b) within 50 miles of biking trails.
-c) cannot get to mountain biking trails from here.
10) I have:
-a) lots of "kewl" friends who live and die by their mountain biking prowess and I desperately want to be part of it .
-b) thousands of hours of mountain biking experience and you want to be much better in every way.
-c) the desire to get out on mountain trails a couple of times a week to enjoy the fresh air.
If you answered a) to all of these questions this is definitely a good book for you. If you answered b) to most of these questions, there is probably another mountain biking book that is better for your needs. If you answered c) to several of these questions, this is not the best mountain biking book for you. If you answered c) to all the questions, there is a more suitable activity for you: boating or bocce, perhaps.
My wife and I are young retirees who moved to Prescott AZ recently. We just discovered mountain biking, and we love it. We bought three books on mountain biking. This is the least favorite, because it is a little "over the top" for our needs.
The book is likely to bring young people to the sport, a laudable effect. But it may not be nearly as good at cultivating a frame of mind sufficiently guarded to avoid dangerous crashes. It might help young people to become members of the "kewl krowd;" but one might be tempted to conclude from the tone of this book - especially the second half - that to be genuinely KEWL requires a half-million dollar hospital stay that resulted from a failed Evil Knevil sized bike jump.
Those who wish to enjoy mountain trails but who have a healthy fear of broken bones and permanent paralysis, might find William Nealy's highly illustrated Mountain Bike! a better fit.
7 of 14 people found this review helpful
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Best Step-by-Step I have read for mountain biking, February 21, 2006
By Jeffrey J. Meyer (Newark, DE)
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The combination of experienced authors, supportive facts, and the fashion in which the material is presented makes this book the best way to learn about mountain bike skills. The format is what I like the most. There are clear frame by frame pictures of moves with concise descriptions to go with them. The authors also provide interesting scientific facts about cycling physics. The troubleshooting sections are also helpful. The chapters are all well organized and packed full of helpful and not so obvious information. Any rider can benefit from this book. The book is more than a list of tips (like most other books: outside foot down, look ahead, etc.) It is the best tool that I own for improving my skills next to my bikes. I am a seasoned racer and I am learning so much from this book. Buy it!
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
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Great Bike Book, October 5, 2005
By Stanley C. Cheeseman
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This book gives detailed practical tips, and advice on all aspects of riding bikes. Step by step instructions with pictures make it very easy to understand. If you want to learn how to ride in all areas and improve on what you already know this is a very good book. I would recommend this book for anyone that wants to learn more about handling a bicycle.
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
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This Book Will Improve Your Skills, September 18, 2005
By drexmo (Middletown, CT USA)
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I found this book extremely helpful. It has tips and techniques found in no other mountain biking literature. It is a very entertaining read as well. You won't be disappointed!
6 of 10 people found this review helpful
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Easy to follow, in-depth description, of how to do anything on a mountain bike, July 5, 2009
By Jonathan Turner
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I'm someone who learns pretty well from books, but I don't think you need to be to like this one. I've bought a lot of books with this thought in mind on mountaineering, skiing, telemarking, soccer...you name it. This is by far one of the best books I have ever read to learn techniques. And, I believe the reason it is so good is because it is written by two people who are probably a bit different in the way they learned the sport of mountain biking.
It's obvious that Brian Lopes is the "natural" athlete, and much of the information comes from breaking down what he does in different situations on a bike. Lee McCormack is no slouch and it is his left brain approach and his ability to break moves down into do-able steps that makes this book so accessible.
If your into mountain biking, expert or novice, this book will help you improve.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
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Braaaaaap!, May 3, 2009
By el_scorcho (Dallas, TX)
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I found this book to be very helpful, but I agree, there could be a little more "beginner" terms and explanations, like a glossary. There is a 2nd edition coming out that should address most of the issues mentioned here.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
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For all MTBers: the best book out there, November 3, 2006
By rob (Gold Coast Austalia)
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Having read every MTB book I have seen and year and years of bike mags (with their "essential training tips" I have become very cynical of rehashed articles with little substance. However, Mastering Mountain Bike Skills is a book on a whole new level. Forget buying magazines for training tips and get this book, a good book on weight and a good book on cardiovascular training, end of story. And for those not into the race scene this reading and rereading this book periodically will both make you faster and take your riding to a more enjoyable level.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
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Good but could be better, January 23, 2008
By Michael Lovett (Lake Wylie, SC)
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I think this is a great book for a visual perspective.
Things that are hard to describe in words are often given good visual treatment. I especially liked it when they showed multiple frames to illustrate a technique that might have changes across time.
For example, they illustrate performing a jump by showing you various frames including hen the rider enters the jump (showing body position, etc), while he's in the jump, and what he looks like when exiting.
This alone puts this book above others I have read on the same topic.
I also liked the treatment of many different topics. There's a really good cross-section of useful information covered, so it seems like just about anyone in the sport would benefit from the content.
There are a couple of things that I think need to be improved on to make this book better.
First and foremost, the book either needs to dispense with all the flowery, colorful jargon, and stick closer to simple English, or it needs to provide a glossary up front.
I am a beginning rider (supposedly one of the people this book is aimed at) and there were many times I did not understand a section perfectly clearly because of the specialized language they used.
Here's an example, taken from early on in the book:
"Pump backsides. Any time the trail turns downward, press down for some free speed".
That probably makes perfect sense to someone who understands these terms, but it did not help be as a beginner.
What does "pump" mean? Does it mean to "pedal hard"? Does it mean to quickly raise and then lower your body on the bike to "pump it"? And how about "press down" - press down on what? The pedals? The handlebars? The saddle?
I've read the whole book and I'm still not 100% sure if "pump" means "pedal", or something else.
This problem occurs throughout the book, in some places worse than others. There were spots where the language was so flowery that I actually laughed out loud.
I remember one paragraph talking about pimping and nailing and lips and rhino horns. I wasn't sure if somehow a chapter from Alice in Wonderland had ended up in this book about Mountain Biking.
The other thing I found confusing about the book was some of the conflicting advice given.
I found this especially true in areas related to braking. If one just listed all the sentences related to braking you might see something like this: "Stay off the brakes, speed is the key to smoothness", "Use the brakes to remain in control", "Only brake when you really mean to", "Braking is one of the most important skills", "People rely too much on the brakes", and so on.
This all reminds me of an out-take from the movie Poltergeist in which the main characters are giving Carol-Ann advice about how to come home: "Go into the light!", "Get away from the light!", "The light is your salvation!", "The light is the enemy!".
I'm afraid that after reading this book I am as confused about braking as poor Carol-Ann is about whether or not she should go into the light.
Apart from these gripes, I have spent many hours with this book and feel that I will become a better rider for it.
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
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perfect for all levels!, August 13, 2007
By Desert Pixie (moab, ut)
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i teach mountain biking skills clinics and i have found that this book is an excellent tool in teaching all levels of mountain bikers - beginner to pro. it is a very well written, fun to read, and highly detailed book that will help you overcome your current obstacles and help you to ride the drops you never dreamed you could.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Exactly what I needed when I bought my first bike, February 19, 2006
By J. Rogers (Melbourne, Australia)
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I know people don't read the 5 star reviews but this book deserves it! This book is an excellent overall source of mountain biking skills, well written and illustrated by one of the industry's biggest names.
For someone new to the sport its ideal, with simple explanations for everything from bunny hopping to pedal stroke. I've been working through the material in this book for 2 months now and I'm still learning.
The author specializes in sprint events but has also ridden with US track cycling team and won road stages, time trials and BMX events. His all round knowledge comes through in this book.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
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A great book, September 11, 2005
By monk man (Barcelona)
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It's a comprehensive book on how to ride. It is very practical for all levels of riders. The pictures are very helpful and clear.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
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Excellent book for technical skills. Style is a bit hard to take., January 22, 2007
By eidolon (Asia)
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This is one of the two best books available for mountain biking instruction (the other is William Nealy's). Excellent sections on technique and generally good explanations of technique. It is aimed at the already competent rider who is looking to improve.
It has two minor weaknesses- first that McCormack's fawning style of writing gets a little hard to take (sure, Lopes is an amazing rider, we just don't need to get it rammed down our throats every 3 paragraphs). Secondly, some of the photos are a little hard to follow (e.g. the ones that show leaning into corners are inconsistent with the text). Overall, however, it is an invaluable book.
I suggest also looking at Nealy's book. It's less technical than this book, but explains some basic concepts that are left out by Lopes/McCormack and is a lot more lighthearted and fun in its approach while still being crammed full of information.
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
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Must Have for Learning MTB, November 14, 2010
By Eric
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I just finished reading my copy of `Mastering Mountain Bike Skills' and would like to express my gratification about the quality of this book. As a Jack of all trades (master or none!), I enjoy many different hobbies and love the learning process, too. This book is THE best book on skills instruction that I have read over ANY subject. The attention to detail, depth, and delivery of experience is spot on; furthermore, The authors's passion flows through the book. I really enjoyed reading this book.
`Mastering Mountain Bike Skills' has improved my MTB skills tremendously. I live in the SF Bay Area where there is a plethora of beautiful places to bike. My new skills have allowed me to further explore and enjoy this paradise I live in.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Haul the Mail with this Book!, October 24, 2010
By Handy (Los Angeles area)
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Great book - easy to understand, lots of useful photos, repetition of basic information so that it sinks in for us knuckleheads, plenty of technical skills and tricks to keep me busy with trying to improve my riding for years to come. Gives advise on what to look for when buying a bike, suspension/bike set-up, riding position, pedaling, cornering, and dealing with various types of terrain. And as an added bonus it is actually fun to read!
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Great Tips and a Fun Read, July 9, 2010
By W. Mitchell (Virginia)
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First, about me: I'm just a weekend single-track warrior with little intention of ever racing on a serious level. I've been riding the trails for maybe 8 years now and am on my third bike. I can honestly say I learned a lot from this book. I think beginners and pros and everyone in between can pick up some great tips. I see this book as a MTB version of Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well, a book that I return to when I just want to touch up my skills in certain areas. The bike setup tips have given me some ideas for my next upgrades (shorter stem and maybe a remote seatpost!) and the riding tips have already started paying off. Though I already practiced a lot of the recommendations for my kind of riding, it wasn't really on a conscious level and therefore wasn't consistent. Brian and Lee put everything into easy-to-understand terms and explain why some things work well and others don't.
The writing flows well and the occasional humor is spot-on. Together with the useful information, it all just comes together as an enjoyable reading experience. This book has inspired me to want to try some different disciplines; Super D sounds like a lot of fun and I really wish we had a pump track in the area! I'm sure I will occasionally return to this book and any future updates as a way to stay on track and continue my improvement.
By the way, I briefly considered the Kindle version of this book but I would have really lost out on the great photos. They're worth the extra price and really help illustrate the points being made.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Great skills book, July 6, 2009
By Randy Toney
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This book is great, really helps fine tune your skills and sheds light on how to do a lot of things correctly to help ride faster/safer. Two thumbs up.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
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XC Skills Revealed, April 16, 2009
By CSXC (Marin, CA)
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Finally a book that describes in detail what it takes to a ride mountain bike like a pro! Brian's descriptions break down the varied techniques on how to ride fast and efficiently. I've definetley improved my race times after reading this book
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
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The Best Book Ever, February 22, 2007
By Trevor The Great (Boise, ID USA)
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Lee McCormack knows what he's doing when it comes to both writing a book and riding his bike, and it's pretty obvious Brian Lopes is one of the fastest men alive on a bike.
This book has seriously helped me a lot. I'm an expert class downhill racer, and even so, I still feel faster after reading this, and the improvements would be even more drastic for riders who are not as skilled as myself.
The book is very well written, and often uses humor to lighten up the mood so it not only is an informative read but an entertaining one. The pictures are well placed and well done.
Overall, I'd have to say that this is THE BEST mountain biking book out there...
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Great Book with Great Details !, September 2, 2005
By Leonard Eng
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After Reading this book and Rereading it again I could not get enough of all the tips! I am back into Mountain Biking with a hardtail and this book was just the ticket to get me motivated! Thanks to the Author Brian Lopes/ Lee McCormick for a great motivating book.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
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A "must read" for any mountain biker, August 31, 2005
By Robert W. Georgantas III (Baltimore, MD USA)
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Mastering Mountain Biking Skills in not only the best mountain biking book I've seen, its one of the best sports training books that I've ever seen. It has tons of photos to illustrate every skill that the authors are trying to teach. It seems like a lot of love of the sport went into both the writing and making of this book - it seems like the authors really want thier readers to become the best MTB rides that they can. You will see all of the skills and techniques needed to become a great MTB rider.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Accelerate your skills with this book!, August 5, 2005
By Palooza (Los Angeles, CA)
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Wow! The information and the way it is expressed(clear cut, humorous and to the point) has accelerated my mt. biking skills exponentially. I have biked for a number of years and taught myself by trial and error. Trial can be frustrating if the skill isn't picked up quickly and error . . . hurts! I wish I had read this book before picking up the passion of mt. biking. I recommend this book to intermediate and advanced riders without reservation. Check it out and and see what I mean!
'Huck'ingly yours,
Apollo Yiamouyiannis
fitnessbyapollo.com
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
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as goo as the author, September 19, 2005
By Nicolas Eteneau
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an excellent book, with wich it's easy to improve your skills. Big pictures, clever tips, good advice. VEry instructive.
A must-have for those who wanna improve their skills on their own.
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
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It is just the best book on Mountain biking !, July 19, 2005
By Andre Dias (Basel - Switzerland)
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Inspiration and Information!
Brian Lopes gave us both!
By taking us throught the ways and skills of top class mountain biking he inspires whilst teaching all of us his amazing techniques for extracting the best out of this sport!
The best books ever writen about mountain biking!
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
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It is just the best book on Mountain biking !, July 19, 2005
By Andre Dias (Basel - Switzerland)
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Inspiration and Information!
Brian Lopes gave us both!
By taking us throught the ways and skills of top class mountain biking he inspires whilst teaching all of us his amazing techniques for extracting the best out of this sport!
The best books ever writen about mountain biking!
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
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Best book I've read on bike skills improvement, August 25, 2010
By Ernesto F. Gochuico
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Mastering Mountain Bike Skills is one book that every rider should have, whatever level they are in. The tips are very practical and easy to follow. A great book. It has helped me improve my riding skills.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Very helpful!!, August 20, 2010
By J. Olson (arizona)
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A lot of information and all of it helpful. Easy to read and organized well.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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If you want to be a better mountain biker, get this book., August 2, 2010
By Sport Book Reviewer
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I bought the first edition of Mastering Mountain Bike Skills over three years ago and the advice within it made me a faster rider - the guys that used to leave me in their dust are now the guys I hang with on the twisty singletrack. Not only am I faster, but I am smoother and in more control: crashes are almost a thing of the past.
The first edition was awesome and the second edition is even better. This book contains everything you need to know from choosing the right bike, how to set it up, and it then goes through every aspect of riding a mountain bike - pedalling, braking, cornering and how to cope with any obstacle that any trail will throw at you. Each concept is explained very clearly and has photos and diagrams to make things clearer - the book is packed with very useful photo sequences so you can study a rider's form all through the execution of the move. It is very progressive and never overwhelming - you can go through it chapter by chapter, or ignore the stuff you know and go straight into drifting and cranking jumps - the choice is yours. I found this to be a valuable reference book: after spending days or weeks on a certain skill I would re-read the appropriate section to fine-tune my progress.
I have read many magazine articles and watched many videos/DVDs on riding skills, but this book is far more comprehensive. This book takes a few days just to read, let alone practicing the lessons - you can't fit that much information on to a DVD (or even three). I also think it is a better place to start than skills clinics which are often overcrowded and expensive - this book is like having your own instructor on-call. Once you have used this book to build your skills you will get a lot more value from a skills session with a professional as they will polish your skills instead of teaching them to you.
For much less than the price of a decent tire, Mastering Mountain Bike can help you corner faster on the tires you already have. Many people upgrade components on their bike instead of investing in their skills - to those people I say ""Buy this book!""
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Great Read Regardless of MTB Experience, July 28, 2010
By Research Junkie (Philadelphia, PA)
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I am a serious cross country mountain bike racer - competing in Expert (Cat 1) XC mountain bike races. I wanted to refresh my skills and read what Brian Lopes had to say about mastering mountain bike skills = Success - a great read for my purposes. Drove home key points and gave clear and concise tips on improving your skills. Well Done!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Excellent detail and descriptions of beginner to advanced mountain biking, September 23, 2010
By J. Arnett (Portland, OR United States)
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In a nutshell...the book examines impediments to progress in developing MTB skills and then goes on to describe in excellent detail how to accomplish the full range of useful MTB maneuvers. Even if you consider yourself an expert rider, there is something in this book that will at least improve your riding.
It's a good investment for any MTB rider, just keep it nearby while you relax at home and read a little and then go out and practice.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Really Great Book, December 16, 2010
By J.Gary (Rock Hill, SC)
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Though a soft back, this book is fairly big with lots of color diagrams, illustrations and photos. When I first got it, I was quite pleased with the quality and regularly look at it for fun as well as in an effort to learn something. I don't like to read that much but the layout and easy style of this book help a lot if you would rather ride than read. The text will give you ideas and more confidence to improve your experience on the trail. The authors use tough humerous language to try and get you to be less afraid of obsticles and to have more fun. A helpful book for the beginner and perhaps a good reference for the more experienced. The book gives riding instruction, mechanical basics of how your bike functions best and many interesting comparisons between common setup choices of mountain bikes like what tire pressure to run, 26" vs. 29" bikes and other basic choices riders make. I really like this book and think about it's instructional input when I ride. If you fall a lot or use the brakes a lot or walk obsticles regularly or would like to better understand how to ride your bike from shifting to taking turns, try this book out.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Best book I've read on bike skills improvement, August 24, 2010
By Ernesto F. Gochuico
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Mastering Mountain Bike Skills is one book that every rider should have, whatever level they are in. The tips are very practical and easy to follow. A great book. It has helped me improve my riding skills.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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None of these reviews are for the second edition!, July 11, 2010
By Steve Dekker
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First editions a winner!
Amazon needs to take out the reviews and start new, with reviews for second ed!
Whats different!
Yo LOPES!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Simple, Direct & Fun, July 9, 2010
By michael kreiser
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If you're looking for the "one" book for wild times on the trails, this is it! Great book.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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mastering mountain bike skills, March 17, 2010
By J. swanke
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i have been racing downhill for 8 years now and i still reference this great book all the time great info for everyone and well writen(unlike this review)pics are great...just a really good book thanks brian and lee
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Exactly What I Needed, February 17, 2010
By Author of Almost Columbine (Grove City, Florida)
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With a huge racing season laid out in front of me, I needed a book that could describe through images and experiences all of the detailed skills that it takes to succeed. Lee and Brian have created such a text. Each chapter had a move or skills drill that I would apply to my daily ride allowing me to progress by leaps and bounds in a very short period of time. Interspersed throughout are examples of how the authors learned these lessons and applied them to their riding and racing. Multiple full color pictures and diagrams show step by step movements intermingled with often comical metaphors. There were places where I was laughing out loud. More importantly I would remember the lessons because of the creative language used to teach them. Will this book turn you from a Beginner to an Expert overnight? Don't be absurd. But if you can practice all that it has to offer then you will certainly move up the ladder faster than if you had to absorb this knowledge by trial and error.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Great book of use for all mountain bikers, February 13, 2008
By John (Portland, OR)
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I found this to be an excellent book on mountain bike techniques. There are illustrated examples of all the skills you would want to know for all styles of mountain bike riding.
This is a book to work through. For example it starts with the basics like wheelies and manuals and progresses to bunny hops showing how they are related and why you want to know one technique before progressing to another.
Whereas Ned Overend's book is XC race oriented, the techniques in this book as just as applicable for downhilling and freeriding as they are to XC and will help you whether you race or just like to ride for fun.
There is also a short section in the front covering the basics of choosing and maintaining your bike(s).
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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All you need to know, December 3, 2007
By rooki_e (Kansas City, MO USA)
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This book is a great guide to improving your skill. It is so well written even nubies like me can understand it.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Great Book, November 25, 2007
By M. Plastina (NY NY)
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I am fairly new to mountain biking (riding one season before reading the book) and found almost all of the tips and instructions very helpful. I used many of the tips this season (my second) and found I am a much better rider now. I plan to go back and reread the entire manual now because it is written for every skill level, so some of the things that were over my head I think I will now understand. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who isn't an expert already.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Learn from the best, November 4, 2007
By Matt Feldhake (Indianapolis, IN)
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Great book. Great instruction. Great fun.
Great book for those who are new to the sport or who are at a plateau and don't know how to improve. Very good at explaining the basics and giving advice on how to improve without inflicting serious injury.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Masters of mountain bike teaching!, August 3, 2007
By Saab Commander (Mexico, Mexico)
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By far the best book I have seen about technique in MTB. Actually, you can forget about the rest of the manuals out there that describe without much idea how to "do it". Read about it and... do it!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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easy and valuable, June 11, 2007
By kayhan arica (ankara)
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Mountain bike is a new sport so accumulation of knowladge in this field is not so much. With this book learning very valuable techniques from a champion is easy and possible.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Great, May 30, 2007
By D. Guldner
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This book was really good for beginner and intermediate mountain bikers. It provided good descriptions on how to do certain things and many high quality pictures to go along with the descriptions.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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For All Skill Levels, April 10, 2007
By Truth About Caffeine.com (SCR Books)
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From expert to beginner, this mountain biking book will teach you new techniques and make you a faster rider.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Best and most detail book ever, January 11, 2007
By paul (alhambra, ca)
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Detail, detail, and more detail of whatever you want to do.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Tons of knowledge, January 9, 2007
By BigPig (CA, USA)
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This books covers wide range of technique and knowledge. Some of them are pretty new to me and probably not on other books. It simply describe the concept/physics and comes with a lot of beautiful color pictures. I consider myself a beginner to midlevel rider. It is fun to read this book even I can not do those tricks/jumps yet. Definetly get this book if you are serious about mountain biking.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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A Must Have Book 4 MTB'ers, January 9, 2007
By All Mountain Riders (Bandung, Indonesia)
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Good knowledge, from basic to master. Very clear explaination and good quality picture. If you are mountain biker's, you must have this book.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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A must have !!!!, January 9, 2007
By masew (Santiago, Chile)
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The most complete and comprehensive mountain bike riding instruction manual, written by one of best riders out there. Indispensable for those who are just starting out on this exhilerating sport, excellent for those who want to improve their technique and performance wether it's XC, 4X or Downhill . Highly recommended.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Great book!, January 5, 2007
By MuadDib (Austin, TX)
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This is a great book for anyone wanting to set out mountain biking with good fundamentals. Of course Brian Lopes is an awesome biker, but he and Lee McCormack distill the content to be applicable to the beginner and up levels. And it's structured in such a way that you don't need to go sequentially through it, but can pick-and-choose specific areas that you want to work on.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Buy this book!, January 4, 2007
By Daniel T. Cress
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This book has everything you need to improve your current riding skills. A must have for the beginner all the way to expert levels.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Bught 3 for gifts too!, August 30, 2005
By Biggs (Dallas)
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Excellent book. As it states in the intro, many mountain bikers do what they do well without thinking about it. The book puts the details in the "how to" and in logical order. Great for beginers and for those who want to perfect some of the skills they dont think about...
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Great book, July 14, 2009
By Jacob W. Ringger (Midwest USA)
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I am just getting into mountain biking (bit of a roadie), and this book is great. It is definitely more advanced than my beginning talent, but it gives me a place to start and goals to work towards. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to be a better mountain biker. If you enjoy gentle singletrack once a month don't bother. If you want to increase your speed and skills it is a must have.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Increasing your riding skils., March 5, 2009
By Marco Antonio E. de la Cu.. (Chile)
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After a lot of years riding bikes we became to believe we know almost anything about but, it's far to be true.
Usefull book for beginer to advanced bike user, a lot of hints and knowledges about how to do right and wrong things riding bike like a professional.
To me, the best paragraph was "do not use your brakes, let your bike cosat free"...top words. It's hard to do but your bike riding style increase astonishing by doing that.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Will even improve experienced riders, December 21, 2008
By Simian Int'l (Boston, MA)
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Don't be fooled by the 90s cover, this is an up-to-date manual for doing...manuals. It is informative, descriptive, and unlike many books in this genre, entertaining to read. The book was written by a rider that, with the help of Brian Lopes, transformed himself from an amateur to a semi-pro downhiller. I've been riding for 15 years, and I thought the only way I could get better or faster was either by taking bigger chances or upgrading to a burlier bike.
On my first ride after reading a portion of this book, I noticed an immediate improvement in control and speed. I was getting better front-end bite, and started working less on my skillset, and more on my mindset.
Highly, highly recommended for those that learn as well by reading as by doing or seeing.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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great technical skill improvement, October 24, 2008
By Travis
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This book is great for improving skills in every point of mountain biking. Nothing goes uncovered! Its a great book for improving skills for all riders, no matter what your skill level is.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Good wide coverage of bike skills, September 28, 2008
By raydur (Australia)
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I'm a rider of intermediate skill and wanted to better understand some of the more intricate dynamics of mountain bike riding to further improve my riding techniques - this book does it in spade loads.
The book is well laid out and gives good step by step instructions as well as the reasoning behind why things are done.
Tips I found particularly useful are the various weightings applied to wheels, pedals and handlebars to load tyres for better grip, etc in certain situations such as cornering climbing. A lot of these things you can pick up with experience but if you know why in the first place some of these things become self evident before you pick up bad habits.
The language is a bit weird in places as some of the other reviewers have noted but this should not deter buyers looking for a good quality manual as the content is there and is really good. If you were a straight beginner some of the terms may be a bit alien but I think the book is more aimed at people like myself who have done a bit of riding and have a basic understanding of the terminology being used.
Go buy and enjoy...
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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great info, August 24, 2008
By Daniel Edwards (colorado)
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I found all the information very constructive and useful and the instructions were easy to follow.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Great Book, April 5, 2008
By Oscar E. Herrera Valdez (El Salvador)
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Great book you can find everything you want to know about mountain biking and is even fun to read.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Excellent book, April 1, 2008
By Stefan M. Zechowy (Santa Rosa, CA United States)
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This book is quite excellent. I had never been mountain biking before, and read this book. When I finally went out on the trail with experienced riders, I was able to keep up, not injure myself, and generally know what was going on around me. I will say, though, that in reading the book, it seemed like all mountain bike riders were able to do the flashy stuff that was described, when in fact, I found that was not the case. However, it is good to know about. The writing style is very easy to read. There could have been a glossary, and I had to Google terms a number of times, but overall, an excellent book.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Excellent book for basic MT biker, December 6, 2007
By Macman (San Jose CA)
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This book give me a different view of Mt.Bike skill. Not just power but
trick and trade for the entry level like me or even may be higher.
Very educational. I wish I could buy his step-by-step DVD to improve my ride.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Great book for all technical bike skills, July 10, 2006
By DD (Alexandria, VA USA)
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This book covers everything in Mountain Biking from selecting a bike, to jumping doubles. The book covers all skills from the basic to the extreme, but it seems to concentrate more on skills needed for riding technical terrain. The techniques in the book are explained very well with photos and diagrams, and it is an entertaining read. Really the only thing lacking in this book is XC training stratagies. However this topic probably deserves a book to itself.
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
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A seguir pedaleando..., January 30, 2010
By Mario Nervi (Santiago, Chile)
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Excelente libro para adorar el mtb.
Con buenos trucos y detalles para mejorar la técnica y volver a aprender a pedalear.
Le sacaras provecho a tu compañera de aventuras, tu bicicleta, chancha, cleta, como le llames.
Algo de mecánica y tips de posición de los componentes.
Buen libro y excelente capacitador.
2 of 6 people found this review helpful
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A must read!, October 17, 2005
By ferris77 (São Paulo, SP Brazil)
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Awesome text and pics! Full of important tips and great source for skills learning. I met Brian in Brazil and lost the opportunity of buying the book. And now I got it, eventually.
2 of 6 people found this review helpful
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None of these reviews are for the second edition!, July 11, 2010
By Steve Dekker
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First editions a winner!
Amazon needs to take out the reviews and start new, with reviews for second ed!
Whats different!
Yo LOPES!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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More useful than I thought a book could be, January 8, 2012
By Josh F (Boston, MA USA)
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I'm very happy with this purchase. If you've been coached then you probably know everything that's in this book, but if you're a recreational mountain biker who's never had coaching, like me, then this book is a GREAT purchase. The material is very well presented with clear pictures and well written text. The best part is that the tips and techniques make biking more fun, it's not just technique for the sake of technique.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Photo sequences and demonstrations show how to handle jumps, do wheelies, and more, September 18, 2010
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
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A top sports library pick is Brian Lopes and Lee McCormack's MASTERING MOUNTAIN BIKE SKILLS, appearing in its second updated edition to prove technical direction for trail, downhill, racing and other mountain bike riders. Photo sequences and demonstrations show how to handle jumps, do wheelies, and more.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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good book, but could be better, February 24, 2011
By Alain
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First off, don't expect to see Brian writing all over this book - while he's the front cover and the big letter author, think of Lee as the not so ghost writer. After reading the first 6 chapters front to back, it's clear Brian only has a few paragraphs here and there... that's ok since Lee does a good job (probably better anyway - stars are not typically good writers :) but it got me to buy it so it works...
The book assumes a certain level of knowledge of terms - some of which are not even explained in the glossary like "manual" which was used quite a few times, but I had no idea it was the same as doing a wheelie (which I know from motorcycles) until much later in the advanced chapters. No excuse for not being in the glossary. There was another bike only term, but can't recall it now. Surprising since the first chapters go over beginner stuff like bike types and fitting, etc...
While I enjoyed reading 3/4 of the book so far, I find it much harder to remember the details and actually try things on the trails... maybe this is where video instruction would be better (pick a topic, watch the actual moves and try it at home) that you can find on u-tube for free.
Overall Lee seems like a good instructor and writer (keeps it entertaining) and wouldn't mind taking a class since a book can only go so far...
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Photo sequences and demonstrations show how to handle jumps, do wheelies, and more, September 17, 2010
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
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A top sports library pick is Brian Lopes and Lee McCormack's MASTERING MOUNTAIN BIKE SKILLS, appearing in its second updated edition to prove technical direction for trail, downhill, racing and other mountain bike riders. Photo sequences and demonstrations show how to handle jumps, do wheelies, and more.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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solid tips for better riding, October 27, 2007
By R. Smith (Mendham, NJ)
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Great book to get some high level tips. It will definitely help improve your riding for intermediate riders looking to take their skills up a notch. The only criticism is that it was not very detailed on instructions/techniques. Definitely and easy read and worth the money.
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Comprehensive and concise..., August 8, 2007
By Damian Foo (Sydney, Australia)
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As a rider starting from the bottom, this book makes it that much easier. Has all the answers you've been searching for in one location. The pictures in the book are useful in visualising the words and concepts, without detracting from the actual information.
Very well organised book, and easy to find the information you want. Which comes in handy when you want to refresh your memory on certain aspects.
Now its just a matter of hitting the trails and practicing.
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
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great insight, July 13, 2011
By kung fu music master
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Tips on riding through technical terrain made riding a lot more fun. Climbing tough sections and taking a turn with more speed, less brakes have improved. I'd recommend this book for riders at all levels of experience. I've been riding for over 20 years and this book will have me riding for many more.......!!!BUYIT!!!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Great book, very helpful, June 27, 2011
By Zachary Snyder
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I thought this book was very helpful. Just the attack position in the beginning of the book saved me from 2 crashes in the first week.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Really Good, January 10, 2012
By Erick
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For me, this book was a surprise. I expect a nice book with good info and I receive like a, an amazing cycle bible.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Awesome Book!, January 9, 2012
By W. C. Evans Jr.
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This is an awesome book! My riding style has totally changed since I started studying this book. That's right, studying! This is a text book for how to rip on a mountain bike. The book covers everything: selecting a bike, setting up your bike, and riding basics (the info on learning to ride in the "attack position" has revolutionized my riding style). Then, it goes on into great detail on every aspect of riding: how to pedal for power, how to rip turns, how to wheelie, how to brake, etc.
The book is easy to read, very entertaining, and it has a ton of nice, big, glossy photos that illustrate the info that Brian Lopes and Lee McCormack are teaching you. So, if your looking to become a better mountain biker--Get This Book!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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 Mountain Biking, September 17, 2010
By reston va
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Very difficult to read. Probably useful to a professional racer, does not give a clear picture of mountain biking to the beginner.
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Fantastic resource, June 20, 2011
By Tri guy (Tempe, AZ)
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I recently took a three day mountain bike clinic here in Phoenix. It was put on by a professioanl downhiller named Gene Hamilton. Much of what we learned was different than what you might have heard from your buddies. Much to my delight, this book follows the vast majority of the teachings of Gene. I have followed his instructions and have become a much better rider over the past 5 months. If you heed the information in this book, I believe you will too. I will tell you that I am glad I had the class as putting some of the instructions in the book into action was much easier having actually seen it demonstrated. All in all, this book as a lot to offer and is a great resource for anyone who is a student of the game and wants to learn how to do it right.
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Lopes & McCormack will make you ride like a pro!, June 17, 2011
By USAFAdhbiker
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I always considered myself a pretty decent rider. Nope, turns out I had some bad habits and did some core skills incorrectly. this book immediately corrected that and improved my riding nearly instantly. The best part about this book is that any type and style of rider can benefit from reading these pages. The lopes and mccormack commentary is hilarious and will make you feel like a friend is telling you how to rip like a demon. Its a cheap purchase that will pay for itself after you blast through that tough corner on your favorite trail.
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Great ook., June 5, 2011
By Tool Addict (Denver, CO)
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Highly recommend. Have lots of how to books on many different subjects and this book is near the top of the list. Well organized and explains techniques very well. My riding has improved a lot since reading and rereading.
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Great Book, beware of inspiration overload, May 22, 2011
By Tobytj
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This is probably the best book of its kind but you really need to pay greatest attention to the the first page messages " practice one thing at a time" and "relax".
This book has so many great tips and so much information that it puts you mind in overload if you try to apply everything you learn at once on the trail. You can seriously mess up. So like the book says, pick a skill, practice it, incorporate it in your ride and then repeat the process.
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Amazing!, May 18, 2011
By jowyhurtado
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I rarely leave reviews, I guess you could chalk that up to laziness, however, this book is absolutely wonderful. I've been riding about 20 years, pretty much since I was old enough to balance on a bike. Once I picked this book up it made things so much clearer to me. There are techniques that I've been using for years but had no idea it was a technique, just thought it was the way you were supposed to ride. But more importantly there are techniques that I've never even thought of. After reading a few chapters I took my bike out for a spin at the local skate park(my local testing ground) and was amazed at how much better I can flow in and out of the features. Can't wait to pick a bit more up and certainly can't wait until the snow melts so I can take these techniques out into the wild.
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Don't miss this one, April 21, 2011
By H.M.E.
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A must have for anyone wanting to improve their mountain biking skills. The level of detail is impressive. What you do with the information is up to you but it is all there.
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The Mountain Bike Bible, April 4, 2011
By Christopher Kelly
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If you're looking for the definitive text on being a better mountain biker, look no further. Lee McCormack is unique in his technical ability as a rider, an analyst and a communicator. The diagrams and pictures are extraordinarily well thought out and presented. Must have.
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Great Book, February 3, 2011
By Everett Jackson Amburn
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I've been riding for a few years, but this book brought many techniques to my attention. I've since upped the ante in my riding. Granted, most of the things you learn about mountain biking come from riding, but this book is handy to have around to see how you need to train or work that certain jump. Great book that covers XC riding, downhill, dirt jumping, turns, and much more! Buying this book isn't a waste.
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Good for intermediate riders, December 5, 2010
By ruh-roe (California, USA)
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Expert riders will agree with everything written in this book, but will not need it. Book is more for intermediate riders, who along with hours of riding, want to check-in on their technique. This is a handy read in the bathroom while sitting on the can.
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Excellent, February 22, 2008
By Gilles Lo Cascio
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A fantastic source of information for anyone wanting to improve their mountain bike riding skills.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Good book, but video would be better, September 22, 2009
By Saws All (Scottville, Michigan USA)
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I thought this book was pretty well done, but I find that I can't learn this type of skill very well from reading about it. Video seems to work better for me. Brian Lopes is certainly well qualified and has some great stories in the book.
0 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Downhill not xc, January 11, 2006
By the beast (guess)
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This is an excellent book if you are just getting dh or you you just want to improve your cornering. But he also trys to tell you how to climb and eat right during long endurance xc races, and it just doesn't work to have a downhiller trying to teach an xc racer how to climb and eat.
0 of 12 people found this review helpful
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Save yourself a sprained ankle, October 19, 2011
By Discerning Bookman
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I rode lots and lots when I was a kid. Now I'm 56, my brothers have gotten into mountain biking, so I go and buy a bike and tackle a double black diamond trail at Lake Tahoe. I thought I knew what I was doing because of childhood bike riding... oops, big mistake. After realizing how brain dead I was, and severely spraining an ankle, I bought this book. Wow! It's a totally new world. Buy this book and you will go from rookie newbie to at least relatively skilled plus save your hide.
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Awesome Material!, October 13, 2011
By tdunkerley2 (Seattle, WA)
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First let me preface this review by saying that I am relatively new to mountain biking, having come from years of riding the hard pavement, so when I crossed over to the "dark side", I was full of misconceptions about my natural ability to just "go for it". While I have had marginal success with negotiating intermediate cross country trails littered with rocks, roots and drops, I came to the abrupt discovery, after a particularily cruel endo resulting in a face plant, that my natural ability wasn't going cut it. I needed help in a bad way.
So I picked up this book, in Kindle format, and began to read in earnest. The skills lessons are laid out in order of importance and are designed to keep riders from committing the ultimate sin of being tossed off their bikes. The text is easy to understand and is presented in such a way that easily translates from the written word to practical application on the bike. The skills building lessons alone are worth the price of this book, but it goes much further than that with detailed analysis of proper bike setup for numerous riding styles, and compares the crop of current technologies and components. This is truly and all-in-one book for the rider wanting to develop proper riding skills. I highly recommend this as a great read with excellent full color pictures and high speed photography depicting body positions. Way cool!
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 Android Kindle Version, July 25, 2011
By Francis P. Horan
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Android Kindle Version problem: Many pictures and diagrams do not zoom which is a really important feature needed on the small smartphone screen. I have Motorola Atrix running Android 2.2. Pretty disapointed about this.
What happens is you double click the picture and what you get is Chapter graphic text instead of the picture.
0 of 3 people found this review helpful
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well written and illustrated!, December 26, 2011
By westcoast-sparkie
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This book is a perfect balance between an instructional manual and a snap-shot of some of the great rides in the US. The multi-shot photo pictures demonstrate, step-by-step, what you need to do when during any critical moment when shreddin down the hill! Worth the money!
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Excellent book and transaction!, December 19, 2011
By Joyful Man
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I purchased this as a gift for a friend that I ride with frequently. However, I read it myself before I gave it to him. Great book! Really, really well laid out. Strong empirical look at technique. Fun book. Great transaction from this seller. Early delivery.
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A good, fun read, December 15, 2011
By Randy
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I have really enjoyed reading this book. I bought the book during the wrong time of year because it is to cold here in Indiana to go out and practice the techniques that I have been reading about. However, I have been learing new things while I read. I have been mountain biking for several years and this book helps point out some of the simplest things that I hadn't thought to try. I'm ready for next summer to see if this book will help me improve my mountain bike skills.
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Kindle experience - book: mastering mountain bike skills, November 13, 2011
By HSP
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I just covered the fist quarter of the kindle version on I-pad. My first kindle book. Firstly I was hoping for color and better graphics. So that is quite disappointing. Well I suppose one can live with that if the graphics were simply for photos and diagrams.
The problem is that a rather large proportion of these graphics contains only text (not recognised as such by the software) and then even worse! - text in fine print! That is really quite annoying! Sometimes you can zoom in on these graphic text blocks to achieve bigger but fuzzier letters (having to scroll sideways on the screen from one side to the other all the time), but sometimes it is impossible to zoom and it is almost impossible to read. further to that all the usual text functions (highlight, dictionary etc) is therefore also not available for these sections of (graphic) text. In some of these "text" blocks the letters are even cut off at the edges of the blocks. Some of the headings of sections are even graphic rather than real text. If you therefore highlight it, the reference merely shows a blank highlight with no detail instead of the highlighted words as would normally be the case. Further problem is that maybe roughly as much as 10 to 15 percent of all text in the book seem to be of this nature!
The photos in this book is often there to illustrate particular technique or detail position or movement but then becomes fuzzy as soon as one zooms in to a more visible size, defeating the purpose.
I am therefore really not impressed that I had to actually pay more for this rather substandard version of the book. It should in my view cost at least 45 percent less than the paper copy.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
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