Frequently asked questions
Need to know!
As we want to prepare you in advance for a great experience, here are some notes on safe mountain biking
- Communicate your apprehensions, previous injuries and physical limitations to your coach.
- Do not exceed your physical and technical limits.
- All difficulties and modules are optional at all times. We can always reduce the physical and technical demands of the lesson.
- Depending on the objective of the course, challenges will be incorporated, from the simple to the complex.
- Before embarking on a technical section, participants must demonstrate a minimum level of mastery on flat terrain or on trails of lesser technical difficulty.
- For a technical challenge, we stop, analyze, walk the section and then engage… or not!
- Knee protectors mandatory
- Long gloves and elbow protection recommended
- Mountain bike helmet
- Sportswear adapted to the weather conditions
- Flat-soled shoes (Vans type) or mountain bike shoes
- Flat pedals with metal cleats or automatic pedals (clip on) for mountain bikes
- Hydration (bike bottle) and nutrition (bars)
To protect yourself from minor scrapes and injuries, Bikeskills recommends that you ALWAYS wear knee protection. Gloves, eyewear / goggles and elbow protection are also recommended, but not mandatory. Of course, a helmet is always essential, ideally a mountain bike specific helmet. A full-face helmet and chest protector for advanced and/or lift courses is also recommended, but not mandatory.
As the class will be held outdoors and we might not have access to indoor facilities, it is recommended that you check the mountain weather forecast and plan accordingly, as weather can change rapidly. It is recommended that each member of the group bring snacks and water to ensure they have enough energy to enjoy the class.
To protect yourself from minor scrapes and injuries, Bikeskills recommends that you ALWAYS wear knee protection. Gloves, eyewear / goggles and elbow protection are also recommended, but not mandatory. Of course, a helmet is always essential, ideally a mountain bike specific helmet. A full-face helmet and chest protector for advanced and/or lift courses is also recommended, but not mandatory.
As the class will be held outdoors and we might not have access to indoor facilities, it is recommended that you check the mountain weather forecast and plan accordingly, as weather can change rapidly. It is recommended that each member of the group bring snacks and water to ensure they have enough energy to enjoy the class.
The simplest method is the “M” check of the bike (if in doubt, contact your local bike shop).
- Start by tightening the front axle, checking the lateral play of the wheel and tire pressure.
- Check your front brake for rubbing and wear
- Check the steering, retighten the bolts
- Assess brake position and operation
- Go down to the bottom bracket. Check for lateral play: Check the lateral play of the bottom bracket.
- Rotate the bottom bracket backwards to avoid derailing.
- Retighten bolts and telescopic saddle action.
- Go down to the rear hub to check rear axle tightness and tire pressure.
- Assess brake position and operation
- Check rear derailleur for tightness and lateral play. Check for perpendicularity.
- End the “M” with rear derailleur operation, cable limits and tightness.
- Evaluate suspension and shock absorber air pressure. (Sag)
- Evaluation of suspension and shock absorber rebound and compression.
- Tightening and lateral play of suspension pivots.
- Now you can ride with complete peace of mind!
Do you have all the accessories you need to have a great experience with us?
- Sunscreen + medical kit if you have allergies / health issues
Knee protectors must be worn for all lessons, without exception.
Clothing
- Beginner: Sportswear, closed shoes with flat gripping soles
- Intermediate and advanced: specific cycling shorts, light sweater, chamois
- Depending on the weather: windbreaker, rain jacket, pants, under-layers
Bike shoes :We recommend trail/enduro-type shoes with flat soles, for platform or clip-on pedals. Plastic pedals are not recommended.
Helmet : Helmet suitable for the level of the lesson
- Enduro helmet offering more protection than a road helmet
- Helmet with detachable chin strap for more challenging trails
- Full-face helmet for downhill lessons
- Helmet condition: no visible scratches or impact marks, less than 5 years of wear
- Helmet fit: right size for head circumference, rear retention system, well-fitting straps (two fingers under chin, strap under earlobe)
Protection recommendations according to lesson level
- Elbow protection Hip and coccyx protectionBack protection
- Downhill: full-body protection recommended, full-face helmet, neck brace
Here are the universal rules for safe mountain biking. Don’t hesitate to be an ambassador for these rules!
- Ride at your own pace
- Leave space for others
- Stop in a safe place
- Look upstream before entering a trail
- Give way and communicate your position to other users
- Give way to cyclists when climbing, control your bike at all times when descending
- When passing other cyclists, signal the number of people in your group.
- Never overtake at more than walking speed when climbing.
- Navigation rules. When there is no information, go straight ahead! Wait for other group members when there’s a trail junction to be taken.
- E-bikes: never overtake a cyclist at more than walking speed. Please communicate and be courteous! We are ambassadors!
This is the Mountain Bike Code of Conduct. All users must know and apply this code at all times.
- Stay in control at all times
- Do not stop in a place that blocks the trail.
- When stopping, be visible at all times (be careful not to stop in the landing zone of a jump, in a bend or in a “blind” zone.
- Always look upstream before re-entering a trail.
- Always assist another rider in case of breakage or fall/injury.
- Ride only on open marked trails, do not leave furrows in the trail.
- Stay on the trail at all times, avoid riding off the trail or cutting corners.
- Refrain from using substances that could reduce your alertness or reaction time.
- Leave no trace, respect wildlife.
- Respect your limits. Do not endanger yourself or others.
Equipment Inspection for Repairs
The Minimal Standard
1) The multi-tool! Most multi-tools include all the metric “Allen” and “Torx” sizes needed for a bike.
2) Many even have a chain breaker, which is essential in case of chain repair.
3) Always carry a spare chain link on your bike; many people attach these links to the derailleur cables using tape.
- Keys 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm: For small screws on your bike: derailleur limits, grips, and suspension adjustment
- Keys 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, Torx 25: For all screws on your bike
- Keys 6mm and 8mm: Mainly for suspension pivots, complete wheel axles, pedals, and cranks
- 8mm keys on multi-tools are rare. In an extreme troubleshooting case, combining a 5mm and a 3mm can save the ride!
4) A spare inner tube and a pump, or a CO2 with adapter are essential in case of a flat tire. Prefer a pump for multiple uses.
5) Tubeless tire repair kits are also available, but will never replace the inner tube and pump.
6) Patch kits to repair an inner tube or tire sidewall are also a good idea and can save a bike ride.
7) A 27′ inner tube can be strategic. It stretches onto a 29′ and can be somewhat compressed for a 26′. For children’s bikes, a 20′, 24′, and 26′ inner tube can be useful.
Bikeskills strongly recommends the following training to all mountain bikers with our partners SiriusMDx and techno-cycle!
Cell phone with network, and local emergency numbers.
Trail locator application. Compass application with GPS location
Trail maps for the mountain network
Sterile gloves (5 pairs minimum), sterile face masks
3 ziplock bags. 1 for transporting first-aid equipment, one for soiled first-aid tools and instruments, one for waste.
Sterile gauze in various sizes in compresses and rolls
Adhesive bandages (diachylon), ointment
SAM splint
Eyebrow tweezers
Surgical tape, sports tape, elastic bandage, Moleskine pads
Adhesive skin sutures
Antiseptic sachets, liquid antiseptic
Pocket mask, portable cervical collar
Portable scalpel / Scissors
Paper and pencil (important for communication in emergency situations)
Adjustable pliers
Zip ties (tie-wraps) et duct tape
Waist bag or backpack containing the following first aid kit and bike repair kit
First-aid kit
Interested? We also offer mechanics courses through our friends at Technocycle!
Adjusting tire air pressure
Repair a puncture / change a tube / repair with a tubeless kit
Adjusting suspension / shock absorber air pressure (sag)
Adjust suspension rebound and compression (knowing the difference between low and high speed is an asset!)
Adjust headset
Adjust brake position
Adjust saddle height, saddle feed, saddle angle.
Repair a broken chain
Adjust derailleur (derailleur limits, cable tension, dropout alignment)
Tighten bolts (bolt check)
Tighten a spoke
Replace brake pads and straighten discs
Bonus! Know your bolt tightening limits!