Mountain Biking - do i need a full suspension do go off 5+ drops?

or will a hardtail work?

Hardtail is fine. Bombs away!

You could test on a 4+ drop and extrapolate.

That all depends on how smooth you are and how good the tranny at the bottom of the drop is (or if it has one).

(or if it has one).

That usually is the question with trannys.

OP - do you have pictures of the drop? I'd love to see it.

as long as its a burly built hardtail.

I would not want to take my 3900 of a 5+ drop.

I've done 3 before, and thought it was going to implode.

as long as its a burly built hardtail.

I would not want to take my 3900 of a 5+ drop.

I've done 3 before, and thought it was going to implode.

When I was riding a 4300 I did a 4 foot drop (not on purpose, it didn't look that high rolling up to it) and survived.

i did a 4 foot drop on my 3700 this weekend ,the landing was a bit rough but the bike came through without a scratch.

My 3900 has gone through a lot of abuse...

It was my learning curve bike for real mountain bikes lol.

I know how to land a jump, comming from BMX and all, I just didn't like how that particular one felt, so I didn't do it again.


All I wanted to point out is if your going to do 5+ foot drops on a regular basis, get a free ride frame, or something thats built up for that kind of riding.

I put my 4300 threw hell, black diamond single track, some jumps and downhill runs that most people use 7-8" full suspensions; I broke a fair amount of stuff but the frame is still intact, however retired (it's still in my basement).

There are guys who routinely drop this on hardtails at our local riding spot; but the tranny is big, long and well-formed:

http://is.pinkbike.com/photo/2394/pbpic2394322.jpg

http://is.pinkbike.com/photo/2596/pbpic2596514.jpg

freeride hardtail would be better, if you do it alot on an xc bike and crack the frame don't expect a frame warranty


also OP how much do you weigh? cause theres a big diff in a 140lb guy droppin 5ft and a 220lb guy

You can use whatever bike you want. Sir Isaac will make sure you get to the bottom.

You can use whatever bike you want. Sir Isaac will make sure you get to the bottom.

How can I contact this Issac? How much does he charge for lessons?

^^ Haha! Lessons free and often painful.

You can drop anything on any bike. Your legs are the most suspenion that you have. Just giver and see what happens.

^ To an extent...

Do you guys ever worry about breaking pedals off on a landing and destroying your nuts? Does this ever happen? Should I stick with road riding for the safety of my package?

I don't think pedals break off that easily.

I've broken crank arms, but never pedals.

Never say never...I made that mistake.

You can drop anything on any bike. Your legs are the most suspenion that you have. Just giver and see what happens.

I've heard stories of the C'dale guys jumping their road bikes off of their loading dock to "test" frame strength. I'd assume their insurance agent loves hearing stuff like that...

I've heard stories of the C'dale guys jumping their road bikes off of their loading dock to "test" frame strength. I'd assume their insurance agent loves hearing stuff like that...

I doubt that story.

Experience is a dear teacher, but Fools learn by no other

Stuff like chameleons and stiffees and if you want to go really suicidal height wise, something like a morphine, then yes, they'll do fine.

Stuff like specialiced rock hoppers and I'd be worried about doing it too regulary.