10 Insane Mountain Bike Tricks Every Intermediate Rider Must Master!

Mountain biking is an exhilarating sport that blends adventure, skill, and a deep appreciation for the great outdoors. For intermediate riders eager to elevate their abilities, learning and mastering tricks can significantly enhance both performance and enjoyment. When I first started mountain biking, I was captivated by watching experienced riders pull off impressive tricks on the trail. Years later, I still find myself on the sidelines, admiring the precision and creativity these bikers bring to the sport. It’s truly inspiring to see what can be achieved with passion and dedication to mountain biking.

If you’re ready to push your limits, here are the top 10 mountain bike tricks that every intermediate rider should know:

1. Tabletop

The Tabletop is a classic trick where the rider flattens the bike horizontally while airborne, giving it the appearance of a table. This trick is a must-learn for intermediate riders, as it’s not only visually impressive but also versatile enough to be combined with other advanced maneuvers.

• Popularity: The Tabletop is a staple in mountain biking because of its sleek aesthetic and adaptability, making it a favorite for riders looking to add flair to their jumps.
• Challenge: Mastering this trick requires excellent body positioning and timing to achieve the flat, “tabletop” effect while maintaining balance and control in the air.
• Why Learn It: Riders want to master this trick to improve their control in the air and develop fluid, stylish jumps. The Tabletop also allows for creative combinations with other tricks, making it an essential move for advancing your overall riding technique.

2. Superman

The Superman is a dynamic trick where the rider removes both feet from the pedals and stretches them backward, extending the body parallel to the ground. This gravity-defying move is a favorite among intermediate riders due to its dramatic and visually stunning impact.

• Popularity: Known for its bold, eye-catching style, the Superman is often featured in competitions, highlighting a rider’s ability to suspend themselves in mid-air, seemingly defying gravity.
• Challenge: Achieving perfect form in this trick demands excellent balance, control, and confidence, as the rider must extend fully without losing stability.
• Why Learn It: Riders aspire to perform the Superman because it adds a dramatic and awe-inspiring element to their jumps. Mastering this trick demonstrates a high level of confidence and control, setting a rider apart from the crowd. Superman is just too cool to pass on learning.

3. Moto Whip

The Moto Whip is a stylish trick where the rider swings the bike sideways toward the rear leg while airborne, using both arms and legs to guide the motion. Known for its flair and technical precision, this trick is highly regarded among intermediate riders.

• Popularity: The Moto Whip is a crowd favorite, often featured in videos and competitions for its eye-catching, fluid movement and showmanship.
• Challenge: Executing the whip requires advanced bike control, impeccable timing, and precision to perform the sideways motion without compromising balance or stability.
• Why Learn It: Riders seek this trick to impress peers with their ability to maneuver the bike mid-air while adding a distinctive flair. The Moto Whip helps develop bike control and timing, which are key skills for progressing to more complex tricks.

4. Turndown

The Turndown is a stylish trick where the rider pulls the handlebars upward while pushing the bike sideways with their legs, creating a dramatic mid-air twist. This move is a favorite for showing off both control and creativity in the air.

• Popularity: With its sleek, visually appealing motion, the Turndown is commonly seen in competitions and showcases, adding a distinctive flair to any rider’s performance.
• Challenge: Mastering the right angle and body positioning while maintaining balance can be tricky, especially when performing the trick at high speeds.
• Why Learn It: The Turndown enhances the rider’s style by adding a stylish twist to jumps that looks great in competitions or videos. Learning this trick also boosts a rider’s coordination and bike-handling skills, which can be applied to other advanced tricks.

5. X-Up

The X-Up is a stylish trick where the rider crosses the handlebars mid-air, creating an “X” shape with the arms. This visually striking move is a popular choice among intermediate riders for adding flair to their jumps.

• Popularity: The X-Up stands out for its unique and bold appearance, adding an extra layer of style to jumps, which makes it a go-to trick for riders looking to impress.
• Challenge: Executing this trick requires strong upper body coordination and timing to cross the handlebars while maintaining control and balance in the air.
• Why Learn It: Riders aim to master the X-Up because it’s an accessible yet visually impressive trick that adds flair to any jump. This trick is a perfect way to build upper-body strength and coordination while boosting confidence in the air.

6. Nac-Nac

The Nac-Nac is a variation of the one-footer trick, where the rider turns the handlebars while extending one leg behind the rear wheel in mid-air. This move adds an extra layer of style and complexity to traditional jumps.

• Popularity: Known for its dynamic movement, the Nac-Nac is a crowd-pleaser, frequently showcased in freestyle events for its fluid, creative flair.
• Challenge: The trick requires excellent balance and control, as the rider must manage the bike’s motion while balancing on one foot, making it a challenging yet rewarding maneuver.
• Why Learn It: Riders appreciate the Nac-Nac for its ability to inject creativity and personal style into their jumps, making their performance stand out. Learning this trick also improves balance and bike-handling skills, particularly in one-footed maneuvers.

7. Tuck No Hander

The Tuck No Hander is a daring trick where the rider tucks the handlebars into their lap and releases both hands while airborne, displaying confidence and control mid-jump.

• Popularity: This classic trick is a staple in mountain biking, admired for its blend of simplicity and coolness, making it a favorite among riders of all levels.
• Challenge: Successfully pulling off the Tuck No Hander requires precise timing and strong balance, as the rider must maintain control without using their hands.
• Why Learn It: The Tuck No Hander provides a great sense of freedom and showcases confidence as riders remove their hands while airborne. It’s also a stepping stone to more complex no-hands tricks, helping riders build air awareness and timing.

8. Can-Can

The Can-Can involves throwing one foot over the top tube of the bike while in mid-air before bringing it back to the pedal. This trick is popular for its dynamic movement and style.

• Popularity: The Can-Can is visually engaging and can be performed on various jumps, making it a versatile choice.
• Challenge: Timing the foot movement while maintaining control of the bike can be complex.
• Why Learn It: Riders are drawn to the Can-Can because it adds a fun, creative element to their jumps, helping them stand out. It also improves flexibility and coordination, allowing for smoother landings and better control in future tricks.

9. Tire Grab

The Tire Grab is a classic trick where the rider performs a bunny hop, pulling the handlebars toward the waist and grabbing the front tire with one hand while airborne. This move combines balance, precision, and a touch of flair.

• Popularity: The Tire Grab stands out for its unique style, making it a favorite for riders looking to add creativity and individuality to their jump sequences.
• Challenge: The trick demands perfect timing and coordination, as the rider must grab the tire mid-air and still maintain enough control for a smooth landing.
• Why Learn It: Riders enjoy Tire Grabs for their ability to add a unique touch to their jumps while showing off upper-body coordination. This trick also improves control and timing, making it a fun way to refine both technical skills and creativity in the air.

10. Nosebonk

The Nosebonk is a technical trick where the rider jumps and taps an obstacle with the front wheel before quickly bouncing off. It’s a great move for honing balance, precision, and control across various terrains.

• Popularity: The Nosebonk is popular for its versatility, as it can be performed on a wide range of obstacles, from curbs to ramps, making it a go-to trick for creative riders.
• Challenge: This trick requires sharp timing and exceptional balance, especially when navigating different obstacle heights, angles, and surfaces.
• Why Learn It: Riders enjoy the Nosebonk because it can be practiced almost anywhere, offering endless opportunities to improve balance and precision. It also enhances terrain adaptability, allowing riders to sharpen their skills on obstacles of varying difficulty.

Mastering these tricks not only sharpens your technical skills but also significantly boosts your confidence across various terrains, making them essential for any intermediate mountain biker looking to level up. Plus, they’re a great way to impress your friends—especially those just starting their mountain biking journey—and inspire them to dream bigger about what they can achieve in the future. Keep in mind that advanced tricks take time and patience to master, so the best approach is to progress gradually and enjoy the process.

Do you agree with our list of top mountain bike tricks? For those of you who’ve been riding for a while, what tricks would you love to master if you could turn back time? Share your thoughts in the comments below! And don’t forget to explore our other mountain biking guides for more tips and tricks.