Mastering Riding Over Roots: Navigate Small Obstacles with Confidence

Riding over roots and small obstacles is a crucial skill for mountain bikers, especially on rugged trails. Mastering these features not only enhances your riding experience but also reduces the risk of falls or mishaps. Conquering roots can be both challenging and rewarding, adding a fun element to your ride. In this guide, we’ll explore effective techniques for riding over roots, helping you maintain control and boost your confidence.

For beginner bikers, I highly recommend focusing on this skill to improve your ability to navigate roots and small obstacles. Since roots are an unavoidable part of most trails, it’s better to embrace them and enjoy the thrill of riding over them.

Understanding How to Ride Over Roots

Line Choice

Choosing the right line is key to effectively riding over roots. Look for the smoothest path that allows you to maintain momentum while minimizing impact. Aim to ride over roots squarely, as this reduces the risk of slipping compared to hitting them at an angle, which can cause your tire to deflect.

Body Positioning

Proper body positioning is crucial when approaching roots. Maintaining a balanced stance helps you absorb impacts and stay in control as you navigate over obstacles.

Speed Management

Managing your speed is essential for successfully navigating roots. Too much speed can lead to a loss of control, while too little can make it difficult to clear the obstacle.

Bike Setup: Suspension, Tires, and Flat Pedals

• Suspension: Consider slightly reducing the pressure in your front and rear suspension to soften the initial impact when you hit rooty sections. Adding a volume spacer (those small plastic pucks) can help your suspension ramp up through its travel, staying soft at the beginning to absorb small bumps, while still handling bigger hits as the trail gets rougher.
• Tires: When hitting roots, you may find that your rear wheel spins out, making it difficult to get over the obstacle. Running a tire insert allows you to drop your tire pressure slightly, which helps the tire conform to the terrain and grip the roots better. Tire inserts also protect your wheels and rims from damage and reduce the risk of punctures when riding aggressively.
• Flat Pedals: Flat pedals can be beneficial when riding over roots, as they allow you to easily remove your feet from the pedals or “dab” if you get stuck on a root that you failed to clear.

How to Ride Over Roots on MTB

• Approach the Roots: As you approach a root or obstacle, take a moment to assess its size, shape, and angle. If the roots are large or have a challenging angle, you may need to lift your front wheel. Whenever possible, aim to hit roots squarely—this means aligning your front wheel so it strikes the root perpendicularly. Approaching roots at an angle increases the risk of your tire slipping off, which could cause you to lose balance or control.
• Shift Your Weight: As you near the root, shift your body slightly back to unweight the front wheel. By doing so, you reduce the pressure on the front wheel, making it less likely to get caught on the root. Keeping your weight light over the front end allows you to “float” across the roots with more ease, reducing the chance of the wheel sliding out from under you.
• Lift the Front Wheel: For larger roots or obstacles, it’s important to lift your front wheel to clear them smoothly. To do this, use your arms to pull up on the handlebars while simultaneously pushing down with your legs. This motion elevates the front wheel over the root, preventing it from hitting the obstacle head-on, which could lead to a sudden stop or a fall.
• Roll Over with Control: For smaller roots, focus on maintaining a steady speed and a centered body position as you roll over them. Keep your weight balanced to ensure both wheels stay grounded. Use your legs as shock absorbers to soften the impact when your bike lands after rolling over the root. This helps maintain control and keeps your ride smooth.

Common Mistakes to Avoid when Riding Over Roots

• Braking Too Hard: A common mistake riders make is braking too hard before hitting a root or while crossing it, which can result in a loss of control. Instead, focus on maintaining a steady speed and shifting your weight back to keep your momentum. The key is to stay smooth—heavy braking can cause your wheels to lock up, leading to skidding and potential crashes.
• Looking Down: It’s easy to fixate on the root or obstacle directly in front of you, but this can cause you to lose track of your line and miss important trail cues. Keep your gaze focused ahead, looking down the trail to anticipate what’s coming next. This helps you maintain a smoother line and better control.
• Rigid Body Position: Riding with a stiff or tense body limits your ability to absorb impacts and respond to the terrain. Stay relaxed and keep your body flexible, allowing you to better navigate roots and other obstacles. A loose, active stance will enable you to react quickly and maintain control over rough sections.

When I first encountered roots on the trail, I often hesitated and braked too hard, which led to awkward landings and a loss of control. Sometimes, when I tried to power through, my wheels would lock up, leaving me struggling to pedal in place. But once I started focusing on my body positioning and learned how to lift my front wheel, I became much more confident in navigating roots. This skill has completely transformed my riding experience, enabling me to tackle technical trails with ease.

Mastering the technique of riding over roots is crucial for mountain bikers who want to enhance their control and confidence on the trails. By honing your body positioning, managing your speed, and choosing the right line, you can effectively navigate small obstacles and significantly improve your overall riding experience. Trust me, once you develop this skill, you’ll shift your mindset from seeing roots as a hassle to viewing them as a fun challenge!

Share your experiences and tips for riding over roots in the comments below! And don’t forget to check out our other MTB guides for more mountain biking techniques and insights to elevate your skills.