The SO is new to the trails, how can I help?

[Owlie]

Forget the trails for right now. Let her concentrate on learning how to use the bike. Let her get used to the shifting--the best way, I think (provided she's ridden a bike before and is comfortable with controlling the bike) is to just go out in a big empty parking lot or quiet streets with low traffic and experiment. A little explanation (either from you or the bike shop) helps too.
This is how I'd do it:
Once she's comfortable with the gears and the bike, see if you can find some packed dirt/crushed limestone paths or a large, relatively flat grassy area to ride around in. I'd highly recommend a mountain bike skills clinic if you have them in your area.

Encourage her.

[Catrin]

+100 on what Owlie said. She needs to get comfortable, and more than comfortable with the bike. Hesitation on the trail can lead to crashes and she needs to focus on shifting first. Disc brakes are great, but I do know a few who still rock the mtb trails with rim brakes - right now the shifting and her comfort level is more important. I am the perfect example of why it doesn't work to try to learn several new things at the same time...

Does your area have any non-technical fire roads? Once she gets comfortable with shifting in a low traffic area that would be a good progression if you have easy access to them.

There are a couple of great mountain bike clinics around - there is a fantastic one on southern Indiana every June that both of you would probably love. It is the Midwest Women's Mountain Bike Clinic and it is great for all women interested in mountain biking at any level.

[Becky]

Owlie and Catrin both gave good advice. I'll add one thing about the v-brakes: if you and she find that the stopping power isn't enough, ask your shop about replacement pads. They're usually inexpensive and can transform mediocre brakes into respectable ones. Kool Stop makes very good pads, but I don't know if they're available in your area.

[TigerMom]

I agree with all of the above TE members

In terms of V-brakes, they are not terrible if she is light weight (ie. less than 120pounds) and if the conditions are dry (not muddy/raining).

Besides.....as she gets better at biking, we all have the n+1 bike upgraditis infections anyways.

Also, I think that there was a recent TE post about teaching biking. I think the TE member posted some lessons to explain how to teach gearing.

Found it:
Recently, a TE member posted,"How to teach adults to ride a bike" and I think that she has instructions on how to teach gearing.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=52454

[Irulan]

+100 on what Owlie said. She needs to get comfortable, and more than comfortable with the bike. Hesitation on the trail can lead to crashes and she needs to focus on shifting first. Disc brakes are great, but I do know a few who still rock the mtb trails with rim brakes - right now the shifting and her comfort level is more important. I am the perfect example of why it doesn't work to try to learn several new things at the same time...

Does your area have any non-technical fire roads? Once she gets comfortable with shifting in a low traffic area that would be a good progression if you have easy access to them.

There are a couple of great mountain bike clinics around - there is a fantastic one on southern Indiana every June that both of you would probably love. It is the Midwest Women's Mountain Bike Clinic and it is great for all women interested in mountain biking at any level.

Did you notice OP is in Croatia? I don't think a clinic in Indiana is going to be of much help.

that being said - cover the basics in shifting, first and foremost.
After that, I suggest basic body position skills work ( neutral to attack, pedals level and butt out of the saddle) then work on braking and manuevering. Videos on YouTube can be useful. Take it slow unless she's agressive and getting it right away.

[emily_in_nc]

I rode an awesome (but older) Titus Racer X with v-brakes and never had a problem braking. They were also much less fussy than disc brakes and I never had the rubbing issues that I have had on two mountain bikes with disc brakes.

Caveat: I am under 120 lbs. and try not to ride in the rain or in muddy conditions, like TigerMom pointed out above.

The brakes are likely one worry you should just take off the table. The main thing is to get her comfortable with shifting and riding in general.

[Catrin]

Did you notice OP is in Croatia? I don't think a clinic in Indiana is going to be of much help.

Oh my, no I didn't notice that - and I even went to her profile page to see if I could tell where she is located and just plain missed it!