(same stuff said in other post, just different clip this time) As title says, how can i be more connected and in tune with my bike? This video is one of my better jumps, but I always feel like I’m just “along for the ride” as you folks put it. I feel like I’m also pushing the bike down and constantly dead sailoring. I’ve been stuck at this stage for pretty much the entire season, so help would be much appreciated.
(Another clip) How can I improve my jumping technique and feel more connected to my bike?
byu/ICumAllOverr inMTB
by ICumAllOverr
8 Comments
The first attempt you are fussing about and not actually trying to jump. Line the bike up straight. Get your whole body low and punch your body up through your feet as the bike is going up the ramp.
On the second one, you just pull the front wheel up, and the bike doesn’t even jump. Follow above instructions.
just from looking at these videos, and im no jumping expert, i dont even hit jumps bigger than like 6 inches tall, but you dont seem to be getting a lot of pull on the bike, like ur kinda still sitting down when u jump even tho u are actually standing on the pedals
i would recommend getting familiar with normal bunny hops on flat ground, and also j hops, and getting used to pulling the front tire as high as u can, and then jumping and scooping the padels with ur feet to pull the back end up and flatten out
adamlz has a pretty good video about bunnyhopping a bmx which isnt much different from mtb bunny hops
https://youtube.com/watch?v=lPfNagf1Yl8
Can you bunny hop?
I’ll start with saying just watch the Ben Cathro videos on pinkbike, he can explain it better than me.
What I see is no preload before the jump or pop off the lip. You want to get low and bend the knees, then push into it (stand up) on the ramp, then pop off the lip intentionally like you’re jumping up a curb. If you can’t jump up a curb and land controlled then start with that.
Start pumping the bike to gain momentum in areas that are not the jump.
This will allow you to feel the energy you can create, that you can then use on the jumps, too.
This will help you feel connected and open up lots of opportunities for other things too.
For the jumps… more push, into the bike (with your feet) and less pull (with your arms). When you combine the pump with the jump you will generate a more speed, be more connected and you will be in more control… and get more air!
Enjoy the journey, it’s going to be fun & rewarding!
You jump and bring your bike with, squat in and jump out
Practice, practice, practice. You are doing the right things. You just need to do everything a bit more and go a little bit faster.
That long travel bike is not helping. All that squish makes all of the sensations dull and slow. If you have access to a dirt jumper, hardtail, or bmx any of those can help the learning process go faster.
MTB instructor here – legs!!! First clip looks like there is little to no downward pressure being applied with the legs. For tiny little boosters arm compression can be fine – if you’re trying to level up to proper “jumps”, 80% of the compression should be in your legs as you approach the last section of the upward slant ( / ) on the jump. As other commenters suggest, try this, along with dialing your bunny hops on some easy to progress jumps. If you can dial these skills at low speed, that leg compression + speed is going to have you AIRborne, quick. Proper landing is a different skill.