Wall drops, ladders, ect...

[smokedtitan]

Why is it that everytime I drop off a wall or ledge I always land on my front tire first? What am I doing wrong? I pull up on my bars once I hit the edge but it seems like the front of my bike always wants to nose dive. Any tips please...

[Reedster]

Pull up harder?

No, really that is what I would try. I would practice on a curb until you can manual off one and land on the rear wheel first. Then you can move up to something higher. I also think that it's easier to land on your rear wheel when you are going a little faster. If you are going too slow you will need to do more of a wheelie drop.

Keep practicing and good luck.

~R

[Sprockethead]

Are you going fast enough? Are you moving your weight back simultaneously? If you're dead sailoring, it could be speed and probably most important, shifting your weight. When you go off a drop, you're basically shifting your weight (hips) back and pulling up the bars at the same time when the front wheel leaves the edge. The faster you go, the less you have to shift your weight. The slower you go, the more weight shifting you have to do.

[PacMan]

Some really good technique by the FluidRide guys. I've found this vid to be very helpful: http://www.declinemagazine.com/visua...dride_vol1.htm

[Pato]

How fast are you going and do you preload the fork before you drop? Are you tapping the brakes while in the air perhaps?

If your fork dives then you will need to preload the fork more. If you are already doing that make sure that you are not tapping the brakes while in the air subconsciously.

[smokedtitan]

Thanks for all the advise, now I think I'm ready for those 7ft drops

[nomadFF]

This is an easy one, the front of your bike is too heavy. remove your basket and tassles, try it again and see what happens.

[smokedtitan]

I think I do go fast enough, but I dont preload the forks maybe that will help? I guess I just need to do it over and over again till I get it right. Any place around Whittier I can practice? Nothing to crazy though...

[L8 APEKS]

Originally Posted by smokedtitan

Thanks for all the advise, now I think I'm ready for those 7ft drops

Just make sure you can afford to replace the taco'd wheels!

[smokedtitan]

Originally Posted by nomadFF

This is an easy one, the front of your bike is too heavy. remove your basket and tassles, try it again and see what happens.

I do think I do have to much weight in the front:

[DownHillPhil]

as Sprocket said it's mainly just a matter of shifting your weight back and lifting your front wheel... you want to be somewhat level in the air, maybe a little weight towards the back, and keep an eye on the landing. set your bike up to match the landing angle while in the air and you're good.

[hbpedals]

This might sound like a funny question but - are you standing up on the pedals? If you are then - can you do a wheelie? Same deal. If not then maybe try practicing a wheelie first.

[smokedtitan]

Originally Posted by hbpedals

This might sound like a funny question but - are you standing up on the pedals? If you are then - can you do a wheelie? Same deal. If not then maybe try practicing a wheelie first.

Yes I am standing up and now that I think about it I've never tried to do a wheelie standing up.

[ehansen007]

Originally Posted by PacMan

Some really good technique by the FluidRide guys. I've found this vid to be very helpful: http://www.declinemagazine.com/visua...dride_vol1.htm

Very helpful. Thanks! I'm so bad a jumps.

[project_d]

Preload the front a bit, then lean back and pull a bit. To some degree, it's not so much a situation of pulling harder, but leaning back more. If you pull back too hard, then you're going to land hard on your rear tire, or land hard on your rear. Lean back a bit more, and as you pull up, your body will come forward, and you'll land in a neutral position. It will take some time to get the timing down, but start small so that if you fail, you won't hurt yourself.

Good luck grasshopper!