Riding Jumps - Mountain Bike Zen

Got a jump bike?

For jumping you will need to make sure your bike has the right setup, more travel on the suspension and stronger and lighter frames are using on jump bikes, they also have much lower seats so you don't squish your sensitive parts on landing. For small jumps any good quality mountain bike can be used, but if you are serious about your jumping you need the right bike, if you try big jumps with xc suspension you will end up needing to pay out for new suspension. If you try really big jumps you may break your bike and yourself in the process.

Wear pads

Jumps mean crashes and crashes mean injuries. For jumping you need pads and larger jumps you need armour. Also a full face helmet is best, when chins meet handlebars or rocks they tend to crack!

If you have the right bike and the right protection you will feel more confident and importantly you will protect yourself.

Jump

Always make sure you know the jump before riding it, how far it is and what you are landing on - ride up and take a look first. On approach keep your elbows out and bent, pedals level with your best foot to the front and crouch down, let your front wheel roll off the lip of the jump and as you do so rise a little to a more standing position lifting your body weight upwards with the bike and as the back wheel leaves the lip of the ramp lean your butt back to add weight to the rear of the bike and straighten out your arms a little pushing on the bars.

On landing, allow the bend in your legs to take some of the bounce out of the wheels and keep focused on keep your front wheel straight and balanced.

Superb MTB Jump Technique Video...

Mountain Bike Jump Technique...

Simply Insane World Record MTB Jump at Llandegla...

Watch from 2m 15s onwards!