Bike
If you’re thinking about tackling some drops at the local trails, this list of tips will get you on the right track.
Drops can seem scary when first starting out on your journey towards mountain biking radness, but as with any technique, there’s a few tips and pointers that can make the learning process that much smoother.
Follows these steps:
- Get off your bike and have a look if you need to
- Get the speed of your approach right
- Get in the right position – bend arms and lean
- Unweight the front wheel – lean back
- Prepare for landing – let your arms and legs absorb the impact
Scroll down for more info on each step.
1. Get off your bike and have a look
Drops offs often look worse when you’re rolling up to them on the bike, as the high vantage position can make things appear much steeper. The best thing to do is get off your bike and have a good look over the edge of the lip. This will give you some vital information on how you will ride the drop. Is the landing steep? If so you’ll need to keep an eye on your speed. Or does it require some extra momentum to clear a feature below? Either way, just remember to look before you leap when starting out.
2. It’s all about the approach speed
The key technique to mastering drop offs, be they big or small, is getting that approach speed just right. It’s tempting to crawl off the drop at a super slow pace, but the front wheel could drop too far before your rear wheel leaves the lip, which will mean a quick tumble over the bars. If you approach too fast then you could end up overshooting the landing, resulting in a nasty crash.
Getting the speed right takes some practice and watching how other riders approach the drop is a good place to start. Otherwise begin with something very small, no more than a foot off the ground and work on getting that speed just right, with both wheels landing at the same time after you have left the lip. From there you can work your way up to the bigger stuff.
3. Assume the attack position
It’s tempting when you see a sizeable drop to lean back like your life depends on it, with your arms locked out straight ready for impact. And while it might be tempting to throw your weight back, you should wait until you actually start to leave the lip.
Instead, bend your arms and assume the attack position before take off. Don’t forget to cover your brakes as well, as this will have you ready for what comes after landing the drop.
4. Unweight the front wheel
As your front wheel begins to leave the lip of the drop, you want to begin straightening your arms and moving your weight over the back of the bike while keeping your knees bent. This should have the bike travelling evenly off the drop. The shift in weight should be smooth and controlled, so avoid jerking back too hard on the bars as you leave the lip.
5. Prepare for landing
With the lip of the drop behind you the hard part is done. Now you are sailing through the air with an evenly weighted bike. All that’s left to consider is the landing.
This should be pretty straightforward and is just a matter of using your arms and legs to absorb the impact. Remember they’re the best shock absorbers you’ll ever have, so use them to their full effect.
