Want to get back into dirt jumping and re-live the glory days of your youth? Is your dirt jump bike sitting in the corner gathering dust? Christina Chappetta teams up with all round shredder Eric Lawrenuk to share some tips on getting back into dirt jumping.
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Riding a dirt jumper makes the jumps way more fun. The bike is less forgiving, but the handling is miles better and pumping and popping with a hardtail DJ is very different than with a full squish. It takes some getting used to and plenty of practice, but it will make you a better rider on your enduro bike. I'd say you ought to borrow/rent a DJ from one of your buddies (beer is your friend here) for a full session or two, not just for ten minutes. If there's little things you don't like about the bike, that can be changed: DJ cockpits are simple and easy to replace. Just try to get a feel for riding a DJ on jumps and try out manuals, pump tracks, bunny hops, etc. If you wish you could keep riding it after a couple sessions, you should probably buy one, especially since you said you've been jumping for a while now! Good luck!
Christina illustrates it at 5:40. Stay even, keep the front and rear of the bike on the same trajectory. Load the rear last and it'll still be finishing it's arc when the front lands= OTB.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQq11sQN4t0
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What bike is Eric riding? Rocky Mountain Flow? Ricky doesn’t make a DJ anymore.
(This is for bikes and not astrophysics, so I'm making the assumption that wind resistance, friction, gravity based on altitude, etc are essentially negligible between riders).
I’d like to add maybe don't be afraid to pick up a broom or a hose or a shovel to leave the jumps better than you found em.
Step 2: There's so much we can do
Step 3: It's just you and me
The only drawback is having to re-dial your suspension and tires before the next trail ride.
(If you're looking for a few more mechanics on how to jump a bike, I must recommend this youtube video by Kyle & April www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSGJqFXrEdU&ab_channel=Kyle%26April-RideMTB)