Step Downs vs Drops | MTB Jumping: Practice Like a Pro #24

[@daned8807]

"I'm looking at 2 things...the lip, the landing, the distance and the shape" 🙃

[@pinoylowbudgetproductions7290]

Aha! This is why some drops that I've done feels like they wanna buck me forward. It's because they are not drops, they have this tiny lip that compresses my my suspension. That's why it always felt better popping off them instead of pushing the bike forward. Regarding the pic. I initially thought Linnea's first pic was great until it went side by side with the step down technique. Then my face literally went 😲 when Linnea threw that turn bar! She's sooo cool! And coach Jayson is so steezy too. This video is so top quality. I appreciate the camera angles, the choreo, sequences, editing and it's 60fps! That's a lot of gigabyte to upload! This channel has a great crew including the ones behind the camera!

[@MtbRN2MD]

Nice! Another pinoy!!

[@mannyfnsc29]

"I'm looking at 2 things..the lip, the landing, the distance and the shape." That made me laugh. But all kidding aside, these videos are invaluable. Jason and Simon really do make this stuff look easy. It makes me realize most of us are probably riding too tense. Also, awesome job Linnea!!

[@damondavis535]

Literally just going to say the same thing 🤣. You’re killing it Linnea!

[@theweekendworriers3931]

This series is so good.

[@EbenezerAnjorin]

Jason is an amazing instructor. Omg

[@speckdratz]

Seeing not only a pro doing it "how it's done" but also a student going through all those tiny progression steps is IMMENSLY helpful. I chickened out a mini-gap (0,5m) just yesterday, which puts those 2m gaps in the video really into perspective. Great job, both of you!

[@Fluidride]

Thank you. Always 'bigger in person'!

[@oliverbourne9599]

Awesome .. I actually do that whole 'recoil backwards' thing when approaching a step-down gap jump I find Lairy. I like the simplicity of focusing on the knees to help you attack and press rather than sliding back with fear and ending up unintentionally squashing

[@iantaylor8190]

I think the last 3 mins really gave me the insight. Pushing back, moving back ends up in getting bucked nose heavy. Great instruction.

[@christieclaypool7667]

The photo looks fine. If you landed it and rolled away then it's a win. 😊 It's always good to progress, though. 👍

[@ryanhom3006]

That's exactly what I was thinking. If you don't bounce off the ground it's a success. In northern Minnesota we don't have many wood features it's usually jumping off big rocks with short bumpy take offs. Lots of really close trees too. You can almost always taste a hint of blood from close calls. I wish I had some features to practice on. Not just do or get airlifted

[@crashfactory]

exactly, depending on what the rest of the trail looks like, and what the rider's intent was put it into context. the photo by itself is good technique, for a drop.

[@fr1k4s01d]

Linnea you are such a gracious and delicate rider! Its amazing to watch you ride :) keep up the good work both you and the guys at fluid ride!!!

[@pauljnicholls3929]

That was amazing 👏 Instruction and execution in complete harmony. Well done to you both. By the way, the original drop photo is still great and you should be proud. I wish I was as brave...

[@Venciferus]

This is amazing content, the best coaching videos I've seen by far. Awesome to see Linnea progress, gives me confidence to do the same

[@pauls3616]

Great video. It is one of those “a-ha” moments. I have a trail that has a few drops but also a small step down and it has always felt awkward while the drops were fine. Linnea is a bad ass regardless if she is nervous or not! Jason knows just what to say and has the skills to back it up. Thanks.

[@mitchellhayes8598]

Been looking for content like this for so long. Confidence inspiring! Thank you Fluidrides!

[@Birdpoo777]

This is the best bike video I’ve seen. Thank you.

[@Fluidride]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@Simon-gk9ug]

Thanks Jason & Linnea for an awesome explanation and working demo of the different style and the whys of a drop vs step down. To be honest I thought a step down was a more severe drop, but now I have the difference cemented in my mind. Great video as always, and so generous in sharing fluidride content 🤘

[@Fluidride]

Our pleasure Simon, thank you. I'm glad that you're enjoying the content and also learning a few things along the way! - Coach Kagen

[@MTB_Tik]

I learnt a lot from watching this video and understood what I was doing wrong....thank you Jason and Linnea

[@kiksta3325]

He is a great coach great vids

[@stianjarnass]

Really great tutorial👏🙏. I didn't realise the difference I've been mixing it up not really knowing what I've been doing😂

[@Fluidride]

I was there for a really long time too! Coming in with a plan based on the terrain can make a big difference 🤣 Thanks for watching and for the kind words! -Linnea

[@Godsoldier]

No way is that all i have to do to conquer the jumps what he said on minute 17:00 can wait to try, Drive knees forward, press into peddles, Great Job you Both Very inspiring

[@rjahn3000]

Nice Old Town hoodie that used to be my bike shop years ago in Gig Harbor. Nice instructional video too:)

[@johnnanna229]

Sooo much gold in this video. Time to go ride 🤙🤙🤙

[@dangiles6453]

Great video. One of the best in this series

[@jurgentrockenbau9321]

Best MTB instruction videos i know. Good job!👌🏻😎✌🏻

[@YorkshirepudMTB]

Thank you, thank you, thank you 🙏🏻 You explain simply and literally and it has helped me no end. 😎

[@Fluidride]

Awesome! So glad our instruction is resonating with you!!

[@willienillie6337]

I felt the same way Linnea feels coming up to a lift and rolling down on a steep hill. I would come up to the edge and stop because looking down was high. After looking at that hill for a while (1 year), the following year, I decided to just send it. Went down once, that was it. Built that confidence and that hill was not all that scary.

[@JubeProductions]

I've been riding mountain bikes since before we had suspension and I love DH riding. I like hitting hit a drop before a step down anytime. I really like step ups because they are easier landing. I have always had trouble jumping or dropping into terrain that I can't see the landing before take off. That goes back to my early days of riding a rigid, aluminum, Cannondale SM500 in black with hot pink decals and white splash paint, my friend could hit this step drop that I never could. Even though I've been riding mountain bikes for the better part of my life I can always learn something. In 10 years I got my wife up to speed riding DH to the point where she will ride most any trail that I will, and she even raced DH and XC. She makes riding still fun because she is always learning too. We love watching your videos like this, keep them coming!

[@owenblake220979]

Best channel on YT mate. Really good😀

[@Fluidride]

Thanks so much Owen! We're glad that you're enjoying our content. - Coach Kagen

[@jc10747]

Conversation at 17:30 is important, re bucking and the “viscious cycle” of causing even more bucking by increasing hips back as a habit-based solution, rather than trying proper jump compression positioning. Perhaps hips back position is only useful in 3 situations: true drops, manuals, steep roll down (as in braking vid)? Like to see natural hill slumping situation where the approach is a descent but a gulley has created a gap to the lower part of the descent. Gulley negates roll over, descent makes hips back & front wheel lift very difficult, and jump compression feels way off due to descending angle of bike.

[@ModernOCDad]

Great video and super helpful! Awesome progression Linnea!

[@jkeiffer]

I doubt a "bad" photo of Linea could exist. The first two attempts at the big jump you can see Linea's knees squashing the jump too much, and on the third one where she clears it you can see that there is less of the squashing (bringing knees up into the body to not go high). Very interesting to see how the commitment actually makes it work better.

[@Emloki]

Loved this. Thanks for all the tidbits of information.

[@markrickert1437]

This makes me want to go to the next bike park immediately and practice this. Thanks for this!

[@Fluidride]

We love hearing this. Thanks for watching, Mark! -Linnea

[@daverichardson6334]

I remember the first time I rode Duthie and the biggest wooden drop felt like it was 20ft. Thanks for the tips on how to jump off of a drop.

[@jasonsalt524]

Wish I had a coach like this

[@nrmrvrk]

Very helpful. Definitely one that I'm going to watch some parts multiple times. Also, wearing Old Town Cyclery gear, my LBS!

[@predathor696]

That last stepdown is real scary but you guys made it easy - respects 🤟🏽

[@micaelpereira953]

It's a nice photo! 😁

[@steveb1000]

Subbed for the Bronco.

[@mariuszl8776]

it is indecent how good conditions for practice and weather are there. Another great video, thanks 👍😉

[@jerryfrost4667]

Great video great series enjoyed them all so far 👍🏻

[@JEMTB90]

Awesome work Linnear! :D I only just recently hit the biggest step-down step-up I've ever hit a couple weeks ago. 30ft SD to a 45ft SU.... was crazy stoked! haha

[@papajunjunstv990]

Cool best info and techniques for newbie rider ...

[@sysadventures9560]

Great job with the step down Linnea! I could have used this video about a month ago when I was learning step downs 🤣

[@derekbonevelle]

Another great video, thanks again you two!

[@gregwebster8784]

Great episode!

[@MtbRN2MD]

Jason said he isnt scared cause he’s looking only at 2 things, the lip, the landing, the distance and the shape. Thats 4 Jason!!

[@Fluidride]

Just a slight miscalculation. 😃 - Coach Kagen

[@Fluidride]

Well he's not scared because he forgot the other two! -Simon

[@dennispikephotography]

My joking aside. I kept rewinding for certain parts because they feel super important. Talking about driving the knees forward & down through the compression makes sense. I get a little lost on what to do with the arms and upper body. I have such a mental block on pulling on jumps, drops, etc. My head can’t seem to wrap around not doing a bunny hop on jumps. Like if i keep my weight central and drive forward then it feels like I’m trying to throw my body first and pull the bike with me. The opposite feels like throwing my weight back like initiating a manual or bunny hop, and that is discussed as explicitly a bad idea towards the end of this. Apologies for the novel. But i’ve been stuck on this for so long. I separated my shoulder last year because of a dead sailor and have had a few really close calls since also because of dead sailors. I

[@javicc2]

Dude, I feel your frustration, just keep it simple, You just have to do the same movement as in a squat, make sure to have your knees over your toes. The secret is to time perfect the squat, the part when you’re going down is to compress right before the face of the jump and the going up part has to be timed perfect with the face and lip of the jump and until you leave the ground.

[@javicc2]

Dead sailors happen when you do literally the opposite. (Absorb the face of the jump and pull the bike)

[@javicc2]

For example, in a really steep jump the going up part of the squat is gonna require a lot more pushing down strength through your feet, always knees over toes, So the handle bar will be closer to your chest. I hope You understand what I’m saying

[@dennispikephotography]

@@javicc2 i hear you for sure. And super appreciate the response. My issue I feel is more after the compression through the face. I compress fine. Then what? Unweight always = pull up. What do I do at the end if the lip.

[@javicc2]

@@dennispikephotography broo that’s what I’m trying to explain ! Haha remember the squat technicque? the part where you’re going up(standing up) you have to time it perfect with the face off the jump, until both of your wheels leave the ground. forget about pulling up, it’s the contrary, you have to push through the ground down with your bike. It’s the opposite

[@soultribe9]

Hi Linnea, You're always so awesome!!!

[@ts122231]

perfect, many thanks for that. greetings from Germany😉

[@moderntouchfurniture]

This video has changed the way I now view drops and some jumps completely. I had a BAD nose dive off a 10 foot flat ramp with a steep run out and month ago, and I've just now been able to start riding again 30 days later. That day I was not focused and I did not shift my body weight back, so I do know what I did wrong, I'm just trying to figure out how to properly approach these features in the future. After watching this excellent video about 10 times, everything is crystal clear except the body position on a jump off a flat ramp. I compress, then do I stand tall and match the landing by pushing forward like a regular jump, or don't quite stand tall, keep arms and elbows bent, and don't lean back, and stay over the saddle? Also on the online courses, this KZbin video is so detailed, how much more will the course videos bring to the table?

[@consentofthegoverned5145]

@8:30, well, every photo of her looks good, but she's right about the technique!

[@tagzedawg]

With bigger/higher drops: After the rearward hip shift, I feel like I'm out of position (too far back) for the landing. What's the right technique/timing for getting centered over the bike again? I'd love a video on this in the future! None of the drop technique videos seem to cover this.

[@BasicBodThor]

Your hips only need to be back to not nose dive off the drop. After your bike is in the air you can re center yourself to match the transition

[@Fluidride]

Be sure you aren't pushing the bike away from you. The hip shift should create pressure on the front side of the handlebar which automatically pulls the bike directly under you for landing. We have some info about this here on this page but a LOT more about it at our online school www.fluidrideonline.com. The school is totally free for the first two weeks then $99usd for the year. You can check it out at no charge!

[@gabrielsegura1530]

If the drop is big you shouldn’t be getting that far back and you should be trying to kind of let the front wheel drop a bit first than the back, don’t be scared you aren’t going to go otb, but with the height drop and you getting just a touch back since your front wheel is going down and your back wheel leave the edge when you come a touch back you will end up centered and you’ll have time to get extended to absorb the landing, I learned this by myself and it’s hard to explain on a text but it’s kind of the technique that Rich drew explains in his second how to drop you should check it out

[@TCK71]

Excellent..... some of those features look scary!

[@AshLimMTB]

Really informative, thanks a lot.

[@BlueLineRider]

GREAT CONTENT AS USUAL, but I need to point out that the bokeh and 60 FPS is so good to the eyes! Well done!

[@dday-does-stuff]

11:15 Yes! You've described how I feel on these features - I can use that going forward... thank you!

[@AntonioGPS]

This one is pretty good, dude. Thank you

[@cmciano]

Great video! Thanks for the tips :)

[@Fluidride]

Glad they were helpful! Thanks for watching Chris. :) - Coach Kagen

[@wesr1409]

Great video I would've approached it the same way. Learn something new.... is there a bad photo of Linnea?

[@jhuanger]

great video! quick question - on a hardtail, how would you compress the bike so that the front and rear suspensions are compressing equally, because there's no rear suspension (other than the tire)? do you still compress your knees forward and let the lip compress your fork?

[@Yoda-em5mt]

I get what your saying i ride a 160mm travel hardie and it can feel weird as you compress push into the take of i call it boosting as you get way more air hight and with longer forks it feels worse you just have to level it of in the air with body english 😊😊

[@dcasandman]

Man I need some coaching like that.

[@bulentergun7258]

Thanks for the great video .) really being helpful

[@Fluidride]

Glad they were helpful! Thanks for watching. :) - Coach Kagen

[@chrisperrywv]

Super loving this content. Haven’t ridden in years, and never in manufactured trails. I’m getting a hard tail though, how does not having rear suspension change the technique being that you can’t load up the rear suspension?

[@Fluidride]

Hey Chris. Hard Tails jump really well. Nothing changes as most of the 'loading' is happening i the legs. Hard tails are actually more efficient when it comes to getting air, so can be ridden a bit more slowly on jump lines than full suspension bikes. All the same techniques apply. Welcome back to the sport! -Simon

[@chrisperrywv]

@@Fluidride thanks Simon! I look forward to getting out there and having some fun learning to jump.

[@666psicko]

Great video. I learned a lot. The bigger question is how did manage to go to Duthie and have it empty? 🤣

[@Fluidride]

Hahaha I think it was like 30 degrees out 🤣

[@666psicko]

@@Fluidride that explains it. Even last winter, the were usually some people there.

[@mtb71]

Love the TLD helmet

[@andrewgalloway7344]

good site ... i would sub but .... i have no idea what's coming next ...off piste shall we say ....could you do a feature on how to be utterly surprised by rough terrain .... get's a whole lot more dodgy

[@JoseCastillo-cn4dc]

Great video

[@Fluidride]

Thanks for watching Jose. :) - Coach Kagen

[@05GDF]

Great video 🤘

[@Fluidride]

Thanks for watching. :) - Coach Kagen

[@ryanhom3006]

If it's a big janky rock drop in the woods with a short take off and trees pressing in on the landing I don't always want more height.

[@dennispikephotography]

8:20... hey now!!! We just want to make it look cool!!! 😂

[@claudefreerider9592]

on most of the trails I ride, there are step downs on very steep slopes. Due to the steepness I usually see them ridden with a very pronounced rearward shift (and also leg squatting). Is it a necessity, or more of a bad habit? I don't usually see those step downs on steep terrain in yotube tutorials.

[@TomKennedyUSA]

Great video! Jason has a lot of character, use him more in instruction videos.

[@oldfreddyhardtail912]

Do these same principals apply to a hardtail though? There's compression in legs, but not the bike.

[@wslee2482]

Is the step down jump like a bunny hop? Can one use the bunny hop technique to jump step downs?

[@szmano]

the hips dont lie

[@oldmanmtb1443]

That last jump will make me dodo my pants

[@TheJewelin]

Awesome video! I feel like the video is somehow different. Haven't you changed the framerate or something? :D feels more smooth

[@torreyhiker9137]

Agree! It looks amazing on my iPhone 12 Pro. Thought it was just the new display but maybe it’s the video frame rate as well.

[@danhart2411]

So do the same rules apply to hardtails since you can't preload the rear shock on jumps and step downs .

[@Fluidride]

They do. Most of the loading in a bike is in the legs, but discussing suspension works well with viewers as it's easy to see. Hardtails typically jump just as well, or better!

[@danielpmo]

so good

[@DoubleAAdventures452]

Do these techniques apply to us hardtail riders?

[@pennywynnecole]

What's happening with the breaks when you're doing these moves?

[@meep6188]

where is this glorious place?

[@Fluidride]

Duthie Hill Park, Issaquah Washington.

[@andrewgalloway7344]

yeah ... in real wild countryside there is no slope after a drop/jump .... does it matter ?

[@spikex41]

Why do you compress vs a bunny hop? I used to bmx and started mtb last year just wondering if there’s a reason why to do one over the other method bc I still bunny hop all the time.

[@mrsmartypants_1]

Bunny hopping you’re using a lot of active hands/arms pulling up on the bars. In jumping your arms stay quite passive and it’s all about your legs. Active arms can cause all sorts of problems jumping - such as dead sailoring.

[@Mraquanetchris]

How much or does the compression change if you're riding a rigid frame? Great vid as usual!

[@janeblogs324]

He keeps saying compression, but he means bunny hop

[@willienillie6337]

Linnea, are you riding a 29er?

[@Fluidride]

It’s a 27.5!

[@gabrielsegura1530]

Do a how to ride whoops fast!!

[@2010semtex]

Still having a question, when taking a step down, the jump technique is it an American bunny hop or an English bunny hop?

[@Fluidride]

Neither really, but the timing is closer to an American hop. With a jump, we don't have to create a bunny hop because the jump does the work for us when we press into it. That said, the wheels lift off in the same place (like an American hop) and not at the same time (like an English hop). Both wheels should contact the lip of the jump, but we don't pull up like with a hop because the bike is using the releasing energy from the jump face for its upward trajectory. -Simon

[@zenji1]

So sik!!! 💖💖💖👍👍👍

[@oneRella]

Basically a British bunnyhop. Any reason not to use an American bunnyhop there?

[@CooperSellers]

Step downs are the bane of my existence...

[@zelenijlinda]

Wow, nice video! :)

[@Fluidride]

Thanks Linda! Looks like you are doing some really cool stuff too - I checked your site out. Had to use a little translation, but really cool to see what you are doing! -Simon

[@zelenijlinda]

@@Fluidride oh thank you so much :) I binge watching your videos :)

[@Fluidride]

@@zelenijlinda We are flattered! Look us up if you are ever in the Seattle area, or near the Alps in August. Keep on doing what you do!

[@zelenijlinda]

@@Fluidride in the Alps where? We ride often at Semmering bikepark, its not to far from Budapest (Hungary).

[@Fluidride]

@@zelenijlinda Would be a bit of a drive for sure from Semmering. We are in Chamonix, France each summer for about a month - typically in August.

[@niovillawalls]

Cuando en español ??

[@troyhodulik5542]

What brand helmet is she wearing? Thank you.

[@lwayne1647]

Troy Lee Designs

[@troyhodulik5542]

@@lwayne1647 Thank you. Appreciate the response!

[@Table_Topper_Tony]

Is this at duthie hill?

[@Fluidride]

You nailed it Tony, good eye! - Coach Kagen

[@andrewd7860]

Quarantine 😂 😂

[@TheRelaxingproject]

where is this?

[@Fluidride]

Duthie Hill in Issaquah, Washington 🥳

[@hans2675]

Where are they riding? Does anyone know?

[@Fluidride]

Duthie Hill Park - Issaquah, Washington.

[@hans2675]

@@Fluidride thank you so much for the reply!

[@danielforce4462]

Lol My poor little heart ❤️