In mountain biking and even BMX riding, the bunny hop is a bike trick that involves the rider lifting the
bike up and over an obstacle while remaining in motion on the bike.
Experienced bikers can lift their bikes over a meter or one and a half feet. The world record for the bunny hop stands at 4 feet.
The bunny hop is executed by approaching an obstacle with speed, lifting the front of the bike then
leveling the pedals.
If the bike has full or front suspension, pre-load the shocks by pressing down
on the bike just before you reach the obstacle.
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Once the shocks have been pre-loaded, the rider springs upwards, simultaneously pulling up with the hands and
As the biker lifts, the hands will roll through twisting the throttle.
After the object is cleared, push down on the bike, then absorb the impact with the arms
and legs.
It’s often a misconception that a bunny hop without toe clips is achieved by rotating forward
on the handlebars. Lifting up on a mountain bike while standing next to it is difficult to
hold on to the handlebars.
The bunny hop is very popular with mountain biking, as experienced riders can make it look a lot easier
than it is. New mountain bikers should practice a lot before they attempt the
hop, as doing it on a bigger obstacle can easily be quite dangerous.
The bunny hop can be achieved with proper practice, even for beginners. All you have to do is give it
some time and effort, and you’ll pull off the bunny hop just like the pros do.
Mountain Bike Bunny Hop
The Mountain Bike Bunny Hop is a skill that requires a wider range of motion than the traditional hop. It consists of two parts: the first is a manual movement and requires the rider to shift his weight away from the front end. This process transfers momentum to the bike, and the front wheel becomes light as a feather. The second part of the bunny hop involves shifting his weight to the stem and behind the saddle.
Front-wheel pop
The first stage of the mountain bike bunny hop begins by standing up, pivoting your bike forward, and then leaping up. The goal is to pop the front wheel off the ground. It’s important to keep your knees bent as you do this to use your body weight as a lever. After executing the hop, you’ll want to focus on the next stage, which requires raising the handlebars diagonally away from you.
The bunny hop technique can be challenging and requires a lot of practice. You’ll need to stand up tall and keep the front wheel off the ground to be effective. Full suspension bikes will be easier to perform because they have a big pump. Keep your legs slightly bent when riding a hardtail and ride straight down to the rear tire. If you are unsure of how to perform the mountain bike bunny hop, you can practice by watching videos of people doing the trick.
Practice on a curb before you attempt the jump. Depending on the height of the curb, the front wheel may be raised more than the rear. Practice on a low curb first, and move on to higher ones as you become more confident. Practice on a curb will help you find the right timing for your jump to start practicing independently. You’ll learn to pop the front wheel first by practicing on a curb, then raise the rear wheel.
Minimal shock landing
In addition to providing a smooth ride, the mountain bike bunny hop is useful for achieving proper balance on slopes. It allows you to pre-jump without losing your balance or tilting your bike. Listed below are the benefits of this move:
The front wheel should roll off the drop, allowing the rear wheel to come off. Then, push the handlebars forward and lower yourself down. Ensure your knees are bent and your weight is distributed evenly between your feet and your hands. Your body should land flatly on both wheels. The distance and angle of landing depend on several factors. You should try to land on both wheels at the same time.
Getting off the ground without lifting your feet will be more difficult. It’s best to perform this motion deliberately and use 100 percent of your power. Once you’re off the ground, the momentum will transfer to the bike and load the suspension. It takes a lot of practice to master this trick, but you’ll be glad you did it once you’ve perfected it. Once you’ve mastered the bunny hop, you’ll be able to perform the move in various situations.
Steps to mastering the skill
You might have seen others do the bunny hop at some point as a biker. As an intermediate trail rider, bunny hop is essential for racers and Strava competitors. Whether you’re improving your time or riding form, mastering the bunny hop is one of the most important skills you can learn. If you’re new to mountain biking, here are some tips for beginner and intermediate riders.
First, practice the move. It’s important to remember not to lift the bike during the hop. This is because the downward momentum loads the suspension and reduces control. Make sure the front wheel is lifted first and then the back one. Practicing will help you become more comfortable with the movement and reduce nervousness. If you haven’t hopped before, read issue 54 of BikeRadar and practice until you’re comfortable.
Once you’ve got the basic technique down, you can move on to the next stage. To master this step, you’ll need to balance yourself on the bike while shifting its center of gravity backward. Using your body weight as a lever will help you to jump off the ground. Next, bend your knees while you lift the handlebars diagonally away. Finally, keep your knees bent throughout the process.
The safest, best, and quickest way to improve your mountain biking skills is to take a course with a professional mountain bike instructor.
If you’re unsure of your skill level, asking a mountain biking coach in your area is the place to start.
Mountain biking is a dynamic activity– there are many different ways to approach a trick, and we may not have covered all of those different ways in this tutorial.
Always ride within your limits, and do not attempt risky maneuvers when riding by yourself.
Mountain biking is awesome but comes with risks – so be safe, the bike smart, and have fun!
