OK, so you think you know it all. Sometimes it is the smallest things that make the biggest difference. My lower back used to hurt for ages until a riding buddy (gamecat) let me into the secret that if you put your seat tilted slightly forward your body posture is optimised  for the ups and the pain goes.

(courtesy of bikeskills)

Tip

• On V brakes and Disc brakes one finger is enough to brake and it leaves the rest of your 4 fingers to keep you firm on the bike. Position your levers in along the bar towards the stem of the bike so one finger braking is easy. Also move your brakes down at an angle to ease the position of braking whilst screaming downhill. You can even roll your handlebars forward slightly to maximise the best set up.

• Feathering your brakes is better than big jolts for you, your riding, your bike and the terrain. Brake before .Not in corners. Your front brakes you more than your back so use the front more.

• Get you seat post to the right height. This is where your legs are just slightly bent when pushing fully down on the pedals. Make sure any new bike purchase has an easy release lock or even better a mechanical seat post switch to lower your seat when riding.

• It's OK to stop and you should lower your sadle when going down.

• Position your seat a an angle with the nose pushing down slightly to maximise body position. This comes into it's own on the up's  to compensate the fight that occurs when we pedal hard to go up but the gravity (made harder through larger travel bikes) force weight to the back of the bike against us.

• On the downs your butt should be out the saddle

• To maximise traction when on steep up's keep your butt on the seat, weight on the handlebars and your butt perched on the front of the saddle.