Mountain Bike Tips For Beginner  

Hey man, I'm an avid mountain biker. The bset advice I can give is to practice! Ride as much as possible. The best way to learn how to bike is by doing it. Sure, you'll fall a little bit, but just be smart and don't push yourself *too* far past what you think you can do and you'll be fine.

As to getting stronger, the *only* way to do that is to practice. The more you bike, the stronger you'll get. Very simple, ya?

Good luck dude, and remember these:

Wear a helmet going downhill!
Stay out of the poison ivy.
Keep your bike clean, but don't be afriad to get it dirty.
Keep your cranks level when you're coasting.
Get some biking gloves! These are important for protecting you if you fall and for absorbing vibrations from your bike that could give you nerve damage over a long period of time.
When you're going over obstacles like rocks or logs, or going down drops, stand up on the pedals. Don't sit in the seat when you're going downhill either.
Stretch before and after you ride.

Good luck dude, mountain biking is the most fun you could possibly have. Send me a message if you want to chat.

I think you have a good bike. Deore set is already better than other shimano parts. All i can say is you have to keep on practicing. It has a big impact. To preserve stamina, you have to be wise. What kind of ride you into? on long road run? or cross country? or downhill? Where you from? Answer first my questions before i could give some tips. There so many things to tell. We'd rather be specific.

I use Jamis XC2.0 with XT groupset , that serve me well but a bit of stiff , I have plan to change frame soon