Mountain Biking - My First Big(to me) Drop

i did my first drop today. i fancied doing some urban assault so off i went on the journey to the town centre with two of my mates. there was a wall about 4 foot and without even thinking, i dropped off it and it felt great. while i was there i also jumped a set of seven steps which felt unbeleivable.

dude u r gnarly!!!!!

nice! It's a great feeling every time you try something new, especially when you get it right the first time!

Sweet, nice job m8! As forum*rider said, there is nothing like trying some thing new, and nailing it! :)

congrats... there's always an adrenaline rush in doing something that you know could get you pretty badly hurt and coming away in one piece. A 4ft drop is nothing to sneeze at.

ood work. It feels really good nailing something for the first time. You may not feel as though 4ft isn't the biggest but if you keep trying you will be going huge. Als oif it makes you feel good, today on my bighitting DH rig I pinchflatted off a 4ft drop and stacked, so good job landing it.

Hopper, Hopper, Hopper. When will you learn ;) . Just joking, i'm sure it wasn't your fault.

ood work. It feels really good nailing something for the first time. You may not feel as though 4ft isn't the biggest but if you keep trying you will be going huge. Als oif it makes you feel good, today on my bighitting DH rig I pinchflatted off a 4ft drop and stacked, so good job landing it.
OUCH! That had to suck... any bruises, cuts, etc?

What is the proper procedure for doing a drop? Experienced guys please go through it step by step... or if there is a good website that explains such tricks?

I feel a bit skittish to attempt something like that for the first time not knowing the proper mechanics of the move.

Either a manual or (if you can't build enough speed) a wheelie drop will do it. Practice on curbs; it's the same motion as on bigger drops. You generally want both wheels to hit the ground at the same time. Start small and work up to the bigger stuff.

What is the proper procedure for doing a drop? Experienced guys please go through it step by step... or if there is a good website that explains such tricks?

I feel a bit skittish to attempt something like that for the first time not knowing the proper mechanics of the move.


1. To jump just do a regular bunny hop if it is a gap. If its a drop wheelie off of it, if its a stairset you could do either, or build up enough speed to do nothing and clear it.
2. Make sure that you clear the gap,drop/stairset etc. this is a GOOD way to F*** a wheel
3. When you are about to land left your front wheel, landing flat can screw up ALOT of stuff on your rig. Land with your rear wheel first. If you do this correctly you wont feel a big thud when your wheel hits, its like a trials move almost, like a lever when you land. Its hard to explain, and easier to show.

Thats how I do it, Im sure some one may be of more help.

What is the proper procedure for doing a drop? Experienced guys please go through it step by step... or if there is a good website that explains such tricks?

I feel a bit skittish to attempt something like that for the first time not knowing the proper mechanics of the move.

Learn how to manual and/or wheelie for 4 ft. Once you have that down, practice off of a 1 footer you can find or build.If you are going kind of fast, manual off of it. If you are moving slowly, throw a pedal stroke at the end of the drop to lift the front.

If dropping to tranny, do the above half way. This takes practice, but learn how to lift just enough to land both wheels even on the tranny.

I probably don't do it well, but here's a video of me doing a small, ~2 foot drop, then again in slow motion:

http://jonbuder.us/videos/little_drop.wmv

Just kind of pull up the front before you get to the edge, and let your body move around when you land, and it won't hurt.

Looks good. You lifted the front and pushed the bike out...

If you were landing on a tranny you need to let the front drop to match the transition :)

If it is a drop hit at speed, just lean back and let the fron t roll over the drop with you but near you tire and just let yourself go over . If it's a slow drop, pull your front up and keep it level with the ground until the rear wheel drops.

We have a real good rock to learn on. It goes from about 2ft to 5ft with a good run in and a good downslope to run out. A friend of mine tried the 5 side and crashed hard,off to the hospital he went. He hardly ever does drops and I can't figure why he didn't wam up on the small side.Most of us that do drops started small and worked up.Start with 6in and before you know it your just like Shaun16.Way to go.