how to do a drop off

[sundial]

I love riding down a little bridge and dropping off it. However, no matter how hard I try, I can't land with both tires, just the front one. I lean over the handle bars to compress the shock and then just as I leave the bridge, I pull up and still the bike lands front wheel first. I've practiced going off our deck as well and I can't seem to nail it. What's the secret to the technique? :confused:

[bounceswoosh]

I love riding down a little bridge and dropping off it. However, no matter how hard I try, I can't land with both tires, just the front one. I lean over the handle bars to compress the shock and then just as I leave the bridge, I pull up and still the bike lands front wheel first. I've practiced going off our deck as well and I can't seem to nail it. What's the secret to the technique? :confused:

How much of a drop?

I don't / haven't really done drops like this, but my bet is that you need to get your center of gravity further back by moving your butt behind the seat.

But, again, I really haven't done this, so this is pure conjecture. On descents you want to get your CoG back to prevent flipping the bike, so that's where I'm coming from.

[bouncybouncy]

I can do it but have a hard time explaining things...but BW is right about getting your weight behind your seat!

Hope someone will chime in with explicit details. It took me days to "get it"...keep at it!

[SadieKate]

Perhaps you need to learn a bit more of a wheelie technique to help lift that wheel? Or just not pulling up properly? I like instructional videos like this one.
http://westcoaststyle.net/mountainbiking.php

But for immediate gratification …..

I just think of lifting my front wheel as if I were actually going over an obstacle
http://www.mountainzone.com/videos/playvideo.asp?vid=7623

Over even just bunnyhopping with no obstacle.
http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Bunnyhop-on-Your-Bike-10142

More extreme is an actual manual or wheelie
http://ibikeride.com/Mountain-Bike-Skills/Wheelie-drop.html

The big thing is learning each bike’s behavior. Some bikes are easier to bunnyhop evenly. It was easier to lift the front wheel on the hard and softtail bikes I’ve had. I have to think a bit more about keeping my front wheel higher on my FS bikes which means I should probably go practice more.

[sundial]

How much of a drop?

It's roughly 16 inches or so. And the ground does not slope down after I drop off the bridge.


It took me days to "get it"...keep at it!

Yeah, I was pretty sore the afternoon I practiced riding off our deck. Congratulations by the way!


Perhaps you need to learn a bit more of a wheelie technique to help lift that wheel? Or just not pulling up properly? I like instructional videos like this one.

Thanks Sadie! I have been watching a few You Tube videos but I think these will be more helpful. Thanks everyone for your tips. I've got to practice some more. :)

[sundial]

Here's one video that I thought clearly demonstrates one method. I thought because he's on a free-style bike that it was easier to do a drop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExnEEKMDFNk&feature=related

If you play this video at work, turn the sound OFF. (Some of the lyrics are lewd.)

[bluebug32]

For something small (around a foot), you could probably get away with a little bunny hop (compress the suspension and explosively shoot up). Just be sure not to get overzealous or the bike may land awkwardly (one tire will go up much higher than the other).

The other option is a pedal kick. If you can wheelie, it's similar. I use it to get over high curbs or logs where you need a little umph that lifting the handlebars alone won't provide. I'm sure something posted above covers it, but basically you want to shift your weight back, and when your foot hits about 1:00, you want to quickly snap it, popping the front end up. Practice on the grass before moving your newfound mad skills to a drop. This will be a really handy skill for the trail and a way to get over most obstacles.

[spokewench]

The motion of compressing your fork is important for lift, but the more important part of landing on your rear wheel instead of your front is get our weight WAY back off of your seat. Some people practically drag their butt on the tire - I am not that flexible, but what I think is happening to you is

that in your effort to weight your front fork you are weighting the front of your bike as well and not getting your butt shifted fast enough to get the weight over the rear end of the bike. Don't know how big the drop is, but maybe try not weight the fork at all - just get up a little head of steam, get way back off the saddle, relax your arms , ie. lots of bend in the elbows and you will probably land with more weight on the rear tire.

spoke

[sundial]

I'm sure something posted above covers it, but basically you want to shift your weight back, and when your foot hits about 1:00, you want to quickly snap it, popping the front end up.

So I move my butt back over the rear tire while popping the front?

[spokewench]

Yes, that is exactly what you do

[Irulan]

not so much your butt but thrusting your hips back, extending the legs at the same time.

[Zen]

And get someone to shoot a video. I had no idea you were tearin' it up out there :eek:

[sundial]

LOL! I'm a free style wanna be. ;)

[bluebug32]

Brian Lopes has a wonderful book called Mastering Mountain Bike skills. It's definitely worth a read.

[sundial]

Blue, I think I've read reviews that it's a really good book. I'm a visual kind of girl so maybe go with the video that SadieKate recommended?

[SadieKate]

We have the Lopes book and the video. Somehow I just never picked up the book because I need the talking and the motion going at the same time, just me. Hubby likes both. I like the video. Hubby likes Deadly Nedly's book and video. I like his video. See a pattern? :p

[bluebug32]

I'm also a visual learner. He has photos and diagrams. Basically, I think it just takes time--knowing the steps of what to do and having the time to practice over and over.

[SheFly]

When I was downhilling, someone described it to me as a motion like flipping a sheet (as if you were putting it on a bed). For some bizzare reason, this works for me still! So, if you can, visualize yourself flicking a sheet. Not sure if this will help you, but it did me!

SheFly

[TahoeDirtGirl]

Huh. How do you describe it? Have you ever just done it and not 'thought' about it? For me the thinking part messes everything up. Do what is natural. I would have to say though, when I do it I'm farther back. Sort of like jumping a horse. Maybe you should just watch the video..:D Now I'm going to have to go launch off of something and think about it.

And just remember....speed is your friend. Your butt has to definately be back- if I compressed that shock and was that far forward I would be staring at the clouds in no time! Good luck!