This seems like it would be a useful trick when faced with slightly elevated bumps and obstacles, uneven pavement, branches, unavoidable debris that might slow your roll, and most commonly the dipping curbs when you get up on the sidewalk? (I'm not sure what that's called)

My bike is steel, but it's still reasonably light. I can lift it with one hand. When I ride into curbs I need to steer directly into it. I once fell because I was going pretty fast and I tried getting up on the curb pretty much laterally, like the wide end of my tire against the wide end of the half inch raised curb.

Anyways, what do you guys think? Bunny hopping on road bikes? Bad idea? I've always envied those BMXer who can jump any obstacle they encounter.

Here's the link where I heard about it. "Learn how to bunny hop on any type of bike."
https://ezinearticles.com/?Learn-How-...ke!&id=2887930

It is both possible and smart to bunnyhop a road bike. It sure beats plowing into a pothole and destroying a rim.

yes, among all the other techniques that come with 2 wheels

I used to bunnyhop railroad tracks. There is nothing better than getting air on your road bike. Bike weight definitely hurts how high you can jump.

Take 10 seconds longer to pick it up over a curb is what I would do, but that's just me. Otherwise, look further ahead and avoid the obstacles without needing to do so.

I once did a bunny hop with an old CCM and the pedal ruined the crank. I was embarrassed and not happy because it wasn't even my bike.

I jump and hop over stuff all the time. Do it, you'll like it and it can be a good skill to have in an emergency.

I hop the Pinarello quite a bit. 25 year old Ultegra cranks are still fine. Wheels are doing well. Only rim I wasted while riding it was in a situation like caloso mentioned. I coulda saved it had I hopped that pothole. I didn't even see it, though I was getting sprayed my road mist from a passing 18-wheeler. Many road hazards don't even require an actual bunnyhop to get over, just a timely unweighting of the bike.

Do you dismount and walk over RR tracks? Just wondering.

I rarely bunnyhop up curbs, but no way I'm getting off my bike to get up one. I slow to maybe 7mph, plant front wheel on curb, then put all my weight on the bars and nudge the rear of the bike up, sometimes grabbing just a little front brake for more rear end lightening. Some times I do the fast plant technique as well, approach at an angle, unclip the curbside foot, and boost up the curb with that foot.

Never encountered them on my commute, but I figure if I ever take the train up to Boston I probably would since the station is 20 feet after.

damn, he looks happy. i need to try that some day. maybe my life can be all better, too.

I think I confused people when I said curb. I don't mean sidewalk, I mean driveways and the ramps on corners for disabled people in wheelchairs and bicycles. But I will try bunny hopping. I usually just lift myself out of the seat for a second and stand on the pedals.

What other techniques?

I'm trying to become a more proficient rider. I know to keep myself at 80-100rpm. For short distances, though I usually do the pedal-coast-pedal-coast method, but for longer rides I can get into the rhythm of things and keep an even pace.

Oh, I was mainly responding to Mijn about curbs.

What you're talking about are typically called curb cuts 'round here. Just unweighting like you sound like you're doing to get up ones with a bit of a lip is typically adequate.

Bunnyhopping can be a useful road-bike skill. I've seen a broken Colnago C40 frame result from it (ouch!), so be gentle on the landings if using a cutting-edge carbon frame. Which I know is what we all commute on

I personally don't hop on my road bike. I watch out for road hazards, slow down or steer around when I need to. I haven't yet been in a situation where I need to try and bunny-hop the bike.

When I had BMXs and MTBs, I never thought much of hopping (or much worse with the BMX). While my road bike is steel and feels well built, I cringe at the thought of hopping or even mounting curbs with it. Perhaps it's a price issue. My other bikes were a few times cheaper than the road bike (and my road bike is cheap by road bike standards (figure that one out)). Plus, I'm a rack/pannier kinda guy so I doubt I could get much air when moderately loaded.

Possible on a road bike? Yes. Smart? Only when the conditions leave you no other choice I suppose. Another thing to think about is the tires. Unless you're nazi about your tire pressure, one good landing on a low pressure tire and your bike is mounted on bars and seat on the sidewalk while you change a tube.

Around here, a lot of times it's the only way to avoid a pothole/curb/chunk of road debris.
At first I didn't like the idea, but it's a lot better than the alternative.

My 1st big bike accident as a 5 yr old was trying to ride up a curb, back in the days of sloped curbs. I took too shallow an angle and washed out, face-first. To this day I am reluctant to take on a curb at any angle other than perpendicular.

I think it's a good skill to have and can be beneficial to use in moderation. You have to make sure your wheels are up to it. I was riding with a guy who would bunny hop anything on his road bike. He'd take a detour off the trail just to find something to jump. About halfway through the ride he veers off into the woods. Not long after I hear a ping-ping-ping-ping sound accompanied by a bunch of swearing, - he'd landed too hard and popped a spoke. Lucky for him I had an emergency spoke repair kit along.

^^^ i agree you can do it just make sure your wheels can handle it.

I've done it several times, mostly when I encounter obstacles that would be otherwise unavoidable. Quick, easy and fun Granted, I come from a long background of BMX in my youth when I think we spent more time in the air than on the ground. Practice it, you'll find yourself using it.

Well said tjspiel.

It is a great tool to have in your toolbox for avoiding collisions with stuff (potholes, tracks, etc.). But when you start pulling it out and bunny hopping away just for the heck of it, it brings its own form of wear and risk.

I bunny-hop my carbon fiber road bike sometimes. Your steel one can handle it. I don't go looking out for reasons to jump around, but when one presents itself and jumping is the best way to clear something, I won't hesitate.

Do you have clipless pedals? They make it a lot easier to jump with the bike...