Many beginner mountain bikers struggle to get their rear wheel off the ground when jumping, often resulting in the front wheel lifting but the rear wheel staying down. This article explains common mistakes such as improper preloading, stiff body posture, and incorrect handlebar use. It also details the correct jumping technique, including body compression, popping upwards, and pushing forward on the bars to level the bike for a clean landing.
Are you struggling to get your rear wheel to lift off when going off a jump on your mountain bike? Do you find yourself casing the jump or coming up short, with only the front wheel catching air? This is a very common problem for beginners learning to jump. In this article, we will explore why this happens and provide detailed tips to help you get more air off smaller jumps.
Many beginners can get the front wheel to lift slightly but fail to get the rear tire off the lip of the jump. This often results in the rear wheel barely leaving the ground or not leaving it at all. Here's why this happens:
If you stay stiff and upright, the front wheel may catch some air due to the jump's transition, but the rear wheel won't lift. Proper body movement and input are essential.
Preloading means compressing your body down as you approach the jump. Popping means extending your body upwards off the top of the jump to launch the bike into the air.
If you preload but never pop, you stay compressed and don't generate enough lift for the rear wheel. If you don't preload at all and stay stiff, you won't generate any lift either.
You might have heard about the "J-hop" or bunny hop technique. This involves:
Jumping shares similarities with the J-hop:
While similar, jumping and J-hopping are not exactly the same, but understanding the J-hop form helps improve your jumping technique.
Let's look at some examples of why the rear tire might not catch air:
These mistakes prevent the rear wheel from lifting properly and can lead to unsafe landings.
Follow these steps to improve your rear wheel lift off jumps:
Preload Your Body: As you approach the jump, compress your body down slightly. This is not just compressing the suspension but actively using your legs and body.
Pop Up at the Top: Just as your front wheel leaves the takeoff and your rear tire is about to leave, extend your body upwards by popping off the jump.
Push Forward on the Bars: To level the bike in the air, push forward on the handlebars. This will drop the front end slightly and help you land both wheels simultaneously.
Start Small and Progress: Practice this technique on smaller jumps first. Get comfortable with the arc in the air — front wheel up, bike leveled out, then front wheel down — before moving on to bigger jumps.
By mastering these steps, you will start getting more air off smaller jumps and improve your overall jumping skills on your mountain bike.
Happy riding and see you on the trails!
