Words by Charlotte Head

Finding your confidence whilst riding off-road can be tricky. Slippy roots, loose gravel, steep descents - all of these things can leave you feeling unnerved, especially if you aren't entirely comfortable with your bike. By making small changes to your set-up, you can stabilise your bike without drastic alterations and leave you feeling steadier on the trails. Whether it's tyres with a different tread pattern or pedals that help keep your feet planted, keep reading to find out how and why these upgrades can make all the difference. 

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Pedals
 

One of the main factors in feeling more confident is stability, not just of the bike on the ground but also of you on the bike. Pedals come in all shapes and sizes and are designed with specific goals in mind. Deciding whether to go clipless or flat can depend on ability, discipline and ultimately, preference. Here we will focus on flat pedals, as they are generally the standard for beginner and developing riders. See our guide to the best clipless mountain bike pedals for more information on all things cleats.

 

Flat pedals come in different sizes for a reason. A larger surface area does not necessarily mean you will be more stable - if the pedal is too big, your shoe won't sit correctly on the pins. Bigger pedals typically mean bigger profiles and less ground clearance, leading to a higher chance of the pedal striking trail features. Most retailers will offer a size guide to help you find the correct one for you. It's also important to consider the pedal's shape, the concavity of the surface and pin length. Check out our flat pedal guide for more info on the varying characteristics of flat pedals we've tested.

 

Going Tubeless
 

Off-road tyres have gotten larger, wider, and often favour tubeless set-ups as the years go on. A wider tyre creates a larger surface area between the tyre and the trail, providing more grip. Running lower tyre pressures can further increase the contact area and increase the risk of pinch flats. However, running a tubeless set-up will help reduce suffering from punctures at lower pressures. If you have tubeless compatible wheels, then going tubeless can give you a real confidence boost.

 

However, not all tyres are designed for the same terrain, with tread patterns largely dictating their intended use. As a rule of thumb, the higher the profile, the more the tread will dig into muddy ground. The shallower it is, the faster the rolling speed. Shallow 'summer' tyres also tend to have more aggressive edges to help with cornering, whereas 'mud' tyres tend to slip more on hard ground as the longer' spikes' will flex under pressure.

 

For a full rundown and more information, see our buyer's guide to mountain bike tyres.

 

Grips
 

Often relegated to a decorative component, grips can greatly affect your comfort on the bike. As we spend most of our riding time with our hands on the handlebars, painful, slippy or poorly-suited grips can have a huge impact on our riding experience and our ability to control the bike.

 

As with pedals, grips come in a variety of profiles. If the grips are too big, you'll struggle to hold on, leading to cramps and discomfort. Too small, and you'll be holding more of your hand than the grip. The wrong size grip can also affect your ability to reach your brake levers, making it more difficult to feather your brakes.

 

The compounds used in the construction of the grips can also affect the vibrations you feel through the bike. Some grips are designed specifically to help with shock absorption, as being rattled around can affect your handling and your confidence.

 

For more information, see our guide to the best MTB handlebars grips.

 

Saddle
 

 

Whilst we spend a lot of time out of the saddle off-road, doing it more than necessary can lead to extra fatigue. The more tired we are, the more likely we will make mistakes, and the more likely we can knock our confidence, so choosing a good saddle is key.

 

Wriggling around whilst seated is not only uncomfortable but also inefficient. Saddles are a very personal thing that may take some trial and error before finding one that's right for you. As the majority of seated riding is uphill or on technical elements, using that energy elsewhere can make all the difference.

 

Dropper post
 

When you are out of the saddle, the last thing you want is for it to get in the way. Being able to move your seatpost allows you to move more freely around the bike whilst going downhill or learning new techniques. Though a slightly more expensive upgrade, dropper posts can really help boost your confidence on descents.

 

Dropper posts come with different amounts of travel (verticle movement). How much travel you need will largely depend on your height and bike. Dropper posts are operated by a lever on the handlebars, which vary depending on the make and model of the post.

 

See our guide to the best dropper posts for mountain and gravel bikes.

 

Getting more stability and control can be done in a number of ways. Fitting new tyres can help give your bike more traction, while grips, pedals and saddles can help you feel more comfortable on the bike. Introducing a dropper post can make your bike more versatile and give you some much-needed room as you tackle descents and technical riding. All of these elements can help your bike work with you, rather than against you, and give you that all-important peace of mind to continue developing your riding.

 

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