Fundamentals The Mountain Bike Technique Video

Alex Rankin is already well renowned from the Sprung videos and last year we got to see what happened when he teamed up with Dirt magazine to produce Earthed. Easily one of the best mountain bike movies of all time. Earthed 2 is on its way but in the meantime we get to see what happens when Alex asks the fastest riders in the world the techniques they use to go quicker than what seems possible.

Featuring an all star cast including the three riders standing atop the 2004 World Cup Series. No other than Steve Peat, Sam Hill and Nathan Rennie, not forgetting 2003 World Champion Greg Minnaar and a host of other international podium grabbers. We get an insight into how these riders think when it comes to riding and going fast while they supply us with tips and hints so we too can try and ride as fast as they do.

Doing a technique video can be a bit risky. The viewers should believe what they’re being told is right, and they also like to see it demonstrated. Fundamentals does both of these perfectly. You get the best riders in the world explaining the best way to ride and then you get to see them hit the section exactly the way they showed. None of the pros are big headed about their ability and give clear explanations on why they chose a certain line or hit a section they way they did.

Occasionally through the video the pros contradict each other but this isn’t just forgotten about. For example the never ending clips vs. flats debate. In every instance the pros themselves say why they are doing something differently to another rider. It’s always down to what a rider feels comfortable with. The more comfortable and confident they are the faster they will ride.

The last section on ‘riding fast over rocks’ was an example of this. The main message to come from all the riders was to go as fast as you can and don’t brake so you wont fall into the holes. However there were slight variations on how this was implemented. Sam Hill was saying to pick smooth lines and to stay as in control and smooth as possible. John Kirkcaldie on the other hand was saying that when he tried to be smooth he just got more arm pump so he found it better just to hit it pinned. His words on the matter, “In this shit you’ve just gotta go for it, there’s no time to think, just keep it pinned everywhere.”

There’s also a very detailed section on bike and suspension set-up. There’s not a lot to say about it really, it’s well done and they don’t say anything stupid. They even mention the good old block of wood and a hammer for installing headsets. It would have been nice for them to talk about compression adjustment for rear shocks seeing as most people are hazy on their use. They seem to have just skipped over this section.

As usual it was packed full of Aussies and due to the Earthed background had some great riding and footage. However if your just after racing then look out for Earthed 2 and Synopsis which will be landing very soon.

If you want to know how to rail a corner the fastest way, clear jumps cleanly or get the perfect gate start at the local four-cross race than this video is definitely worth a look.

Thanks to For The Riders for giving us a review copy.

http://www.fortheriders.com/ for product info.

Discussion thread http://forums.farkin.net/showthread.php?p=335058#post335058