Fundamentals: The Mountain Bike Technique Video
AKA - MTB Fundamentals
This DVD is good for intermediate level riders who want to pick up some tips from the pros. Most tips provided - like how to do manuals and jumps - are probably more than what a beginning rider would need.
Dirt Magazine produced the DVD and lined up some big names like Greg Minaar to provide tips. These guys give some good insight into how they approach the trails, downhill courses, jumps, races and even some urban obstacles.
At times it would be nice if the DVD was a little more scripted to provide the advice more precisely and concisely. "Fundamentals" has plenty of good footage to illustrate what the pros are talking about.
There are few intermissions with Bruce Lee that I think are supposed to by stylish or artsy, but are just a little weird and don't add much to the video.
The video has two "bonus" features. One is a long video about assembling components to a frame. There is a lot of good information and tips in this video, but it is more like sitting through a lecture than watching a polished video presentation. The good news is that you can skip to different sections, so if you are interested in disk brake assembly, then you can just watch that section.
The other section is about front and rear suspension set-up. Once again, there is a lot of good information, but it is a little dry and has a lot of room for improvement in the video production department.
Overall, I would recommend this disc. There is a lot of good information from some very reputable sources. The shortcoming in the video production are outweighed by the value of the knowledge you can gain. Check it out and take your new skills with you to the trail!
Check out the DVD at Amazon.com - MTB Fundamentals - How To (DVD)
This DVD covers:
- Manuals
- Bunnyhops
- Flat Corners
- Skids
- Cornering & Cutting (Cutties)
- Strength and Fitness
- Switchbacks - Greg Minaar
- Pumping Rhythm
- Direction Changes
- Line Choice in Corners
- Downhill Jumping - Greg Minaar
- Pumping Trails
- Drop Offs - Neil Donaghue
- Pre-Jumping
- Line choices during races
- High speed turns
