Mountain Bike Set Up Mistakes

Mountain Bikes are some of the most advanced bikes available to buy, especially in full suspension options. Complex drivetrain and suspension systems means that often, bikes are not tailored to the individual rider when leaving the shop, and with a small amount of know-how, you can effectively set up your mountain bike, first time round - whilst avoiding a few well known mistakes which can negatively impact the ride and performance of your new mountain bike. In this post, we run through some of the most commonly occurring problems and mistakes, and what you can do to spot them and sort them, leaving you free to concentrate on shredding the trails.

Saddle Height

The issue of saddle height does not just apply to mountain bikes, road cyclists often run the wrong saddle height - causing discomfort and a lack of performance. The most common symptom of incorrect saddle height is knee discomfort and pain. To find the best saddle height, sit on the saddle and allow the heel of your foot on the pedal, ensuring it is mostly straight - once you move your foot back into cycling position - you should have a slight bend in your knee, which should provide the most comfortable riding position. Of course, the only real way to find the most comfortable riding position and saddle height, is to test and adjust until you feel what is right.

Brake Levers

Small adjustments make a big difference, and often brake levers are supplied on bikes which are pointing too far downwards, leaving the rider stretching to reach the brakes. Not only is this uncomfortable, but can also lead to poor control over the brakes - leading to either an accident, or poor performance.

Saddle Angle

Another and often overlooked issue, when it comes to rider comfort - is the angle of the saddle. Often, a saddle is left pointing down - which can cause the rider to be continually pushing upwards. However, every rider is unique and feels comfortable in different positions, and many riders prefer a saddle which is very slightly pointing down - allowing for better climbing efficiency.

MTB Stem Height

Stem height is another easy adjustment which can seriously improve the handling and performance of your mountain bike. New bikes are supplied with a number of different spacers on the steerer tube - these can be adjusted and raised or lowered. Most often, if a rider feels that there is too much weight, too far forward on the bike - raising the handlebar stem can adjust the feel of the bike, providing a more balanced feel, which is important on the trails.

MTB Handlebar Rotation

Handlebar rotation is quite a tricky thing to adjust and set up - mountain bike handlebars all have either sweep or upsweep - which varies depending on what bike you buy. Again, what feels right is down to the rider - if you angle the bars upwards, expect to have a more forward riding position, and angling the bars back over will push the weight of the rider back over, which can increase confidence and control on steep trails.

Tyre Pressures

Although not mountain bike specific, running incorrect tyre pressures on a mountain bike - can mean that handling on difficult and variable terrain is even more difficult. Again, the right tyre pressure is about trial and error - have a look at manufacturers recommendations, consider your weight and whether or not you are running tubeless tyres.

Suspension Setup

Tuning the suspension on both hardtail mountain bikes and full suspension mountain bikes is important - most bikes and suspension components come with recommended settings, and these can be worked out with use and rider weight - again, experiment with different damping and compression, and see what works best for you.