Thursday, March 1, 2012

Mountain bike "Jump" techniques

Mountain bike "Jump" techniques

You've always wanted to do the jumps you see in videos or magazines. The problem is when you're ready in the dirt you always hesitate. Here's the simple method and tips to help you achive an effortless execution of jumps and troubleshoot errors in execution.


Your goal: Land at the receiver's backside with same height as thetake off.

How to pull it off:
1. Right speed.
2. Right body position. Crouch like a cat before you approach the jump with your feet leveled on the pedals. Pop up your suspensions once your bike hits the take off. Lay back during airtime and when landing to give a smoother landing versus being stiff and over gripping.

Tips you should know:
1. Confidence is the key. Do not hesistate when approaching jump because you already know what to do.
2. It's okay to fall. Wearing the right armor should push you to try. In case you won't able to reach the back side of the jump in your first try, you should either increase your speed or pull your handle bars even harder.
3.When casing a double let your suspension absorb the impact with help of your body by bending your knees and elbows as an added suspension to lessen impact.
4. If your foot lifts off the pedal practice your pedal grip by doing bunny hops.
5. Aim for the receiver. Look forward to the receiver.

Risks:
1. Nose dive will happen if you won't pull your handle bars right.
2. Casing is due to lack of speed.
3. Flat landing happens when you over jump because too much speed or pulling to hard on the handle bars gap between the doubles.

Your goal: Land the backside of the receiver that is lower than the take off.

How to pull it off:
1. Right speed. Step down jumps need precise speed to land perfectly. Estimated speed to pull usually is 40-45kph.
2. Right body position. The receiver is lower than the take off this means that you should aim lower just like doing a free drop. Be off the saddle with your elbows and knees slightly bent. As you hit the jump, try to soak it up for the bike to do a free fall.

Tips you should know:
1. Aim lower. Remember that the receiver is lower than the take off.
2. Step downs have harder landings because the airtime will be greater.
3. You may feel a bit intimidated because you will not see where you will land as you approach the jump. Just follow your line and be confident to reach the landing area.

Risks:
1. Over-speeding means a great air time and over jumping the receiver. Stronger impact with the ground may cause you to involuntary let go of your handle bars or wobble.
2. Not enough speed will make you case or even fall in the gap. But unlike casing in a  regular doubles or a step up casing in a step down has greater impact.