Trying to get into MTB

[Irulan]

First of all I would have someone other that your BF asses the fit of his loaner. Having coached many women over the years, I have seen so much frustration because someone was on a bike that was too big or too small to start with. I get not buying a new bike; just make sure it fits.
Here are my other recommendations:
Skip the clipless shoe/pedal combination. The new mountain biking shoes with sticky soles work so well that there's no reason that you should use clipless. You will be much more confident if you can put a foot down any time you want.

Basic skills: Now I don't know what kind of a guy BF is. Some guys are great teachers, others are more of the "don't grab your front brake and just point it down the hill" type. There are a few basic skills that will really make a difference for a beginner.
-Braking: how to do one finger braking, feathering and using modulation (gentle squeezing)
Basic Body Position: is NOT sitting on the saddle. Mountain biking is very dynamic and involves being loose, moving with the bike and terrain, and changing your center of gravity. This video here,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAkB...M&feature=plcp is excellent instruction in body position basics. Don't let the big bikes or big air in the into scare you - what they teach in the video is the very basis for all successful mountain biking.
-last but least, you might look for a basic skills clinic. I cannot underscore the foundational skills for mountain biking success.

I.

[barrelgal]

Irulan, I hadn't even thought of skipping clipless. I'm so used to it on the road bike that I just assumed it would be better on the MTB too. It makes sense though, one less thing to have to worry about while learning, and I can always put clipless on later. Thanks for the video

[Irulan]

I rode clips with MTB for years. The thinking is changing, mainly because of new material out there. All the professional mountain bike coaches I work with ( I'm a volunteer) gave them up. Especially for beginners, it's just one less thing to think about. Many racers still use them.

[thekarens]

I rode clips with MTB for years. The thinking is changing, mainly because of new material out there. All the professional mountain bike coaches I work with ( I'm a volunteer) gave them up. Especially for beginners, it's just one less thing to think about. Many racers still use them.

Not to hijack this thread, but Irulan, can you recommend a brand(s) that would be good to check out for women. I know there are several mountain bike platform shoes to choose from, just not sure where to start.

[Irulan]

Ugh. It will all depend on what your foot fits.
The "standard" that everyone goes by is the 5-10 line, Impacts and Karvers. Those are too wide for me, , even the women's.
Teva Links
Adidas
and there are some others, Vans etc.
Mainly you want a stiff, sticky sole.
I just purchased some Teva Links, in a kids 6.5 because I have a narrow small foot. Zappos and Shoebuy.com will be your friend if no one carries these kinds of shoes locally.

[tealtreak]

First of all I would have someone other that your BF asses the fit of his loaner. Having coached many women over the years, I have seen so much frustration because someone was on a bike that was too big or too small to start with. I get not buying a new bike; just make sure it fits.
Here are my other recommendations:
Skip the clipless shoe/pedal combination. The new mountain biking shoes with sticky soles work so well that there's no reason that you should use clipless. You will be much more confident if you can put a foot down any time you want.

Basic skills: Now I don't know what kind of a guy BF is. Some guys are great teachers, others are more of the "don't grab your front brake and just point it down the hill" type. There are a few basic skills that will really make a difference for a beginner.
-Braking: how to do one finger braking, feathering and using modulation (gentle squeezing)
Basic Body Position: is NOT sitting on the saddle. Mountain biking is very dynamic and involves being loose, moving with the bike and terrain, and changing your center of gravity. This video here,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAkB...M&feature=plcp is excellent instruction in body position basics. Don't let the big bikes or big air in the into scare you - what they teach in the video is the very basis for all successful mountain biking.
-last but least, you might look for a basic skills clinic. I cannot underscore the foundational skills for mountain biking success.

I.

Second and third on this good advice- and if you can find a women only clinic that is the most awesome experience ever! I would cast a vote to be open minded about clipping or not- all the Luna chick ladies I have had the pleasure of riding with and learning from ride clipped. Actually, they are the ones who talked me into it, and I would never go back. My sons are evenly divided on that preference- and they all catch much more air than I do (: