What size mountain bike?

[sarahfixit]

Looks like a good steed I like the look too. She will go the distance with you.

[SadieKate]

Congrats! New bikes are always such fun.

Yes, lose the reflectors! I've seen people do headers on the trail because the reflector broke and jammed in various wheel/brake parts. Ugly business.

I would guess from the road bikes you're riding, you will want to take out some spacers rather quickly because you're used to a more aero-road position. You can move the stem up and down by just putting some of the spacers on top of the stem to experiment with bar height. If you find that you can't get hunkered down far enough over the bars when climbing a steep hill (front wheel keeps lifting), swap some spacers to the top of the stem and try the hill again. You've got a very, very upright position on that bike and space to take the bar down without making it an overly aggressive position. Once you like your new position, you can have the steerer tube on the fork cut so that you don't have all the spacers on the top of the stem. BUT,don't do that until you are sure of what you want. You can't uncut the fork. Another solution is to get a stem with less rise.

Have fun! You've entered a whole new world!

[Irulan]

What SK said about the spacers. Lose them. A general rule for mtb is that the saddle should be level with or an inch or two higher than the handlebars, at least for xc trail riding, not downhill.

Now, ride it like you stole it!!!

Irulan

[sarahfixit]

Another adjustment trick if you need more range is to flip the stem upside down. I know it sounds wierd, but some mfg actually print the decals both ways for that.

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks for all the tips, ladies! None of my previous bikes has had a threadless stem so spacers, etc. are all new to me, but I do agree that I don't need the handlebars quite so high. Will investigate!

Another question...does anyone have any good mtb books or websites for BEGINNERS (especially women) to recommend? I read Irulan's tips, which were great, but now I am hungry for more basics. It's such a different type of riding than road riding.

Thanks!!

Emily

[SadieKate]

Get Ned Overend's video, "Performance Mountain Biking." It will give you a terrific grounding in all the basics.

[Irulan]

Ned also has a book, but I bet a video is great too.

You might google Wildflower Mountain biking, they have a video also for women.

Where are you located? You just might find a skills camp near you.

Sometimes just mileage is a good thing.

Irulan