Dirt Jump Bike Guide

Riding a dirt jump bike is one of the most exhilarating and challenging areas in the world of cycling. Dirt Jump Bike riding is a growing sport in the UK, and at Westbrook Cycles, we are finding more and more customers asking for us to supply them with dirt jump bikes. In this post, we look in depth at the sport, what sort of bike it requires and what the key skill set is.

What is a Dirt Jump Bike?

A dirt jump bike is a type of mountain bike specifically designed for jumping and performing tricks on dirt tracks, which are usually found within purpose-built bike parks. Dirt Jump Bikes have strong frames, short wheelbases, and minimal suspension, making them ideal for handling the impact of jumps and harsh riding conditions.

What does a Dirt Jump Bike Look Like?

Most dirt jump bikes are made from either steel or an alloy mixture - this provides a strong frame for the bike to be built around. There’s suspension on the front of the bike not on the rear - and there’s only up to around 100mm of travel on the front fork. There’s often only one rear brake on dirt jump bike, which saves on both maintenance and weight. The wheels of a dirt jump bike are typically 26 inches.

How to ride a dirt jump bike?

Riding any bike well, takes skill, practice and patience - so we would not expect to be able to just tell you how to ride a dirt jump bike. Below though, are some tips on how to, and some of the things you can do on a dirt jump bike to maximise the chances of landing that perfect jump.

As with any cycling discipline, especially mountain biking - body position is key. There are two main positions in dirt jump riding - a neutral position and a ready position, the neutral position is used between obstacles, and the ready position is used when approaching an obstacle.

In the neutral position, try and keep your knees and elbows slightly bent, your weight centered over the bike, and your head up, looking ahead. In the ready position, shift your body weight back slightly, lower your chest towards the handlebars and look ahead.

Pumping is also a key skill when using body movement to generate speed, without the need for pedalling. To do this, push down on the suspension of the bike when entering a dip, and pull up as you hit the dip - pushing the bike forward.

How to jump a dirt jump bike?

Jumping is the most important, and the most difficult part of riding a dirt jump bike! A rough guide on how to get started in the world of jumping, is to approach the jump at a decent speed - keeping a relaxed and balanced body position. As you reach the edge of the jump, compress your body and then extend your legs and arms to lift the bike off the ground. Once in the air, look at your landing zone and absorb the landing by bending your knees and elbows.

Dirt Jump Bikes and Kit Online

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply a fantastic array of dirt jump bikes, and dirt jump bike accessories online.