Drop It Like It’s Hot: The MTB Guide to Conquering Drops

Mountain bike trails are full of exhilarating challenges, and drops are no exception. Mastering the technique to navigate drops safely and confidently unlocks new sections of trail and boosts your overall riding experience.

Here’s your comprehensive guide to conquering drops of all sizes on your MTB:

How to Ride Drops on a Mountain Bike:

Before You Drop:

• Assess the Drop: Always pause to thoroughly inspect the drop. Evaluate the height, landing zone, and any potential hazards such as rocks, roots, or obstacles like trees that you need to avoid after the drop.
• Confidence Check: If you’re feeling uncertain, walk the drop first. It’s better to be safe than to take an unnecessary risk.
• Gear Up: Ensure your brakes are working properly, and your tires are inflated to the recommended pressure for the terrain.

Approaching the Drop

• Find the Right Gear: Select a gear that offers moderate resistance, similar to what you’d use for climbing a gentle incline. This helps maintain control and momentum.
• Maintain Speed: Avoid braking right before the drop. Instead, brake early to achieve a comfortable approach speed, allowing you to clear the drop smoothly without excessive pedaling.
• Body Position: Stay in a neutral position with your weight centered and low over the bike. Keep your knees slightly bent and your elbows loose to lower your center of gravity and enhance stability.

Launching Off the Drop

• Push Your Hands Forward: Push your hands forward as you approach the edge. This shifts your weight towards your hips and the rear of the bike, reducing the load on the front wheel and preventing a nose dive.
• Shift Your Weight Back: As you reach the drop, smoothly shift your weight back. Drop your heels and move your hips towards the rear wheel. Avoid braking during this motion, as applying the brakes will shift your weight forward, increasing the risk of a nose dive.

Catching Air (and Staying Calm!)

• Focus on the Landing: Keep your eyes fixed on your intended landing spot, not on the drop itself. This helps ensure a smooth and controlled landing.
• Maintain a Neutral Body Position: While in the air, aim to keep a neutral body position. Avoid leaning too far forward or backward to maintain balance and control.

Sticking the Landing

• Bend Your Arms: As you approach the landing, slightly bend your elbows to absorb the impact. This helps prevent a harsh jolt and keeps you in control.
• Light Pedal Stroke: Maintain a very light pedal stroke during landing to help control the bike’s position. Avoid pedaling too hard at this stage.
• Roll Away Smoothly: Once your front wheel touches down, focus on rolling smoothly out of the landing zone. Keep a centered position and ensure your weight remains balanced for a controlled exit.

How to Ride Difficult Drops on a Mountain Bike

Sometimes you’ll encounter drop-offs with a corner, obstacles, or features that prevent you from gaining much speed. In these cases, simply shifting your weight won’t suffice to keep the front wheel elevated.

A proper manual technique is crucial to lift the front wheel long enough for your back wheel to reach the edge and clear the drop. Check out our guide on how to do manual on MTB.

Assess the Drop

Before attempting any drop, take a moment to thoroughly assess it:

• Check the Landing: Ensure the landing area is clear of obstacles and has a smooth transition. Knowing the angle of the slope can help you prepare for a smooth landing.
• Measure the Height: Understand the height of the drop and determine how much speed you’ll need to clear it safely.
• Plan Your Line: Visualize your approach, takeoff, and landing. Identify the best line to take to ensure a smooth and controlled descent.

Get into the Correct Position

• Pedal Position: Place your pedals in a level position, with one foot forward and one foot back (at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions).
• Attack Position: Stand up on the pedals, with your knees and elbows slightly bent, and your weight centered over the bike. This stance is known as the “attack position.”
• Look Ahead: Keep your eyes focused on the exit point of the drop, rather than on your front wheel. This helps maintain balance and control.

Approach the Drop

• Controlled Speed: Approach the drop at a moderate, controlled speed. Too much speed can be difficult to manage, while too little can prevent you from clearing the drop smoothly.
• Stay Relaxed: Keep your body relaxed and your movements fluid to maintain control and balance.

Execute the Drop

• Preload the Suspension: As you approach the edge of the drop, slightly compress your suspension by pushing down with your legs and arms. This prepares your bike to spring upwards.
• Lift the Front Wheel: Perform a manual. As you reach the edge, gently lift the front wheel by shifting your weight back and pulling up on the handlebars. Keep the front wheel elevated long enough for the rear wheel to roll off the edge, helping to level out your bike in mid-air.

Land Smoothly

• Align Your Wheels: Aim to align both your wheels with the angle of the slope. Ideally, both wheels should touch down simultaneously, but landing the front wheel slightly before the rear is acceptable for a smooth landing.
• Absorb the Impact: Use your arms and legs to absorb the impact as you land. Keep your knees and elbows bent to act as natural shock absorbers.
• Stay Balanced: Maintain a balanced and centered position over the bike as you land and roll away. This helps you stay in control and ready for the next section of the trail.

Tips and Tricks for Mastering Drops:

• Start Small: Begin with smaller features before tackling massive drops. Practice on curbs or small drop-offs to build confidence and nail down your technique. Gradually progress to larger drops as you feel more comfortable. Starting small allows you to focus on technique without feeling intimidated by big drops.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Dedicate time to practicing your drop technique in a safe area with progressive drops. Repetition is essential for mastering the drop, so commit to regular practice sessions.
• Visualize Success: Imagine yourself clearing the drop smoothly and landing confidently before attempting it. Positive visualization can enhance your mental focus and performance when it comes to executing the drop.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Session: “Sessioning” involves repeatedly practicing a specific section of trail. Choose a drop you’re comfortable with and practice your technique until it becomes second nature. Don’t hesitate to spend extra time refining your skills.
• Ride with a Buddy: Having a riding buddy present can provide moral support and offer valuable feedback on your technique. Plus, sharing the experience with a friend can make practicing drops more enjoyable and rewarding.

Common Drop Mistakes (and How to Fix Them):

Braking Before the Drop:

• Mistake: Slamming on the brakes right before the drop throws off your momentum and makes it harder to clear the distance.
• Fix: Focus on braking early and smoothly to attain your desired speed before the drop, allowing for a smoother descent.

Leaning Forward in the Air:

• Mistake: Leaning too far forward can cause you to overshoot the landing zone and potentially go nose-heavy.
• Fix: Maintain a neutral body position in the air, keeping your weight centered over the bike. This will help you land smoothly and maintain control.

Stiff Body on Landing:

• Mistake: A stiff body makes it harder to absorb the impact and can lead to a loss of control. Remember to bend your knees and elbows to act as natural shock absorbers.
• Fix: Focus on staying relaxed and fluid, allowing your body to absorb the impact smoothly.

Looking Down:

• Mistake: Focusing on the drop rather than the landing can throw off your balance. Always look ahead to where you want to go. This will also cause improper weight distribution which can cause you to dive.
• Fix: Keep your gaze focused on your intended landing spot, helping you maintain balance and control throughout the drop.

Not Looking at the Landing:

• Mistake: Where you look plays a big role in where you go. Focus your gaze on your intended landing spot for better control.
• Fix: Train yourself to consistently look ahead and maintain awareness of your landing spot to ensure a smooth descent.

Starting in Too High a Gear:

• Mistake: A higher gear can make it harder to find your balance point and maintain control in the air. Use a gear that feels slightly harder than usual.
• Fix: Opt for a slightly lower gear to allow for smoother pedal strokes and better control over your bike’s movements during the drop.

Conquer Any Mountain: Master the Art of MTB Drops!

Ever watched in awe as riders effortlessly clear drops on the trail, leaving you wondering how they do it? This guide is your ticket to unlocking the secrets of conquering drops of all sizes on your mountain bike! Mastering drops is both thrilling and challenging, but with the right techniques, you can elevate your riding experience to new heights.

From assessing the drop to executing the perfect landing, each step requires precision and skill. Follow our comprehensive guide, complete with step-by-step instructions, valuable tips, and fixes for common mistakes, and you’ll soon be tackling drops with confidence and ease.

We’ve covered everything you need to know, from assessing the drop and mastering body positioning to launching off, catching air, and sticking the landing. Plus, we’ve included a section dedicated to mastering technical drops with manuals!

Ready to shred like a pro? Don’t just drop in—share your experiences with us! Whether it’s conquering your first drop or recalling a funny mishap (hopefully not too serious!), we want to hear from you. Let’s build a community of riders who share the stoke (and the occasional blooper) of hitting the trails!

Drop a comment below and let’s celebrate the thrills and spills of mountain biking together!