How To Drop Your MTB | Beginners guide to mountain bike drops | MTB Skills

Learning to Drop your MTB can be an intimidating skill to learn . With a bit of knowledge and practice, starting to ride air drops with more confidence and control is not only easier, but a whole lotta FUN and a super rewarding experience! Vic & Wes show us how 🤘😎
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Video Location:
This video was shot on location at Grootfontein Bike Park in Gauteng South Africa (Some clips are from stock footage from other locations).
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⭐️ Music sourced from Epidemic Sound
Ride Bikes Be Happy 🤘😃
Vic & Wes 👊😎
#mtblove #mtbfeelings #mtblife #mtbskills #vicandwesmtb #mtblifestyle
#balanced #drops #howto #howtomtb

[@allanp27]

I’m a newbie in mtb and really feel blessed to find your channel. Your methods of teaching are very clear and not intimidating. You’re both a pair of angels. Wish to see more videos and pray for your channels success too❤ Thank you so much Wes and Vic!

[@vicwesmtb]

Thanks for the message Allan! We are so happy that you find our videos helpful 😁 thanks for the kind words! Take care and enjoy your week ahead! 🤟😊

[@dylansalt1]

Great stuff - doing my first double jumps, drops at age 63 - been MTB xcountry for years though

[@64chrisg]

I put off doing a 3ft drop of 1.5 years because it got tin my head and for whatever reason I could not visualize myself doing it. Maybe because it was off a concrete slab...even though there is a series of drops just before it off rocks that I had no issue with, even one that was the same size or maybe even a little bigger. Once I finally committed to doing it, it was once of the easiest drops I had ever done.

[@williejacobsz]

The best mtb training channel! Well done guys!

[@vicwesmtb]

We are so lucky to have your support 👊😎 thanks for always being there ❤️🙏

[@steveinoz8188]

I've seen a lot of KZbins on Drops and on Jumps. Most promote manualing over drops and popping over jumps. So that's what I generally use. Main thing is to not let your front wheel drop first.

[@francescofoschi8941]

It's good to hear that even good riders started small

[@Ihateyoufailtube]

@749 her rear tire is stone skipping the drop. Unweighting the bike is a valid technique, but you need to keep your wheels on the ground when you do it.

[@tim5993]

Great video, very helpful. Keep the videos coming.

[@vicwesmtb]

Thanks for the message Tim! Glad you found the video helpful! Cheers 👊😎

[@joerock4031]

Very thorough! :)

[@berniemaus1728]

Thank you for the ‘mental game’ aspect.

[@TheeJohnWayne]

I've only seen 1/2 of the video so far...but I got to say, your explanations so far are very detailed compared to all the other videos I've seen. The logic behind the steps makes me truly understand the physics behind drops and will make it easier to practice :D Please keep making videos like this...they're incredible.

[@omahamtb6580]

My first drop bigger than 3 feet was really by accident. It didn't look all that big so I sent it...deep. I didn't realize how fast I was going. Fortunately, the landing was long but I landed 7 feet down from the lip! I was not ready for that big of an impact as the landing was starting to flatten out but I managed to hold on. I hit it several more times at that speed but it was much better when I was expecting the impact. Ever since then, I've been fairly confident on 6-7 foot drops. I don't have anything bigger in my area so I'll just have to wait and see if I can conquer the fear of bigger drops.

[@ronnel1227]

❤❤❤ you guys are awesome!

[@bobsmythe9949]

Trying to progress to 2nd drop at Bare Creek and this vid helps a lot, esp Vic's tip at the end. Well done.

[@stephenmcginingle7283]

Fantastic clear instructions you break it down so well I can understand straight away thank you

[@vicwesmtb]

Thanks for the message Stephen. So glad you find our videos helpful! We have been quiet recently but we are jumping back into it and our next video will drop sometime next week 😉👍

[@darrinkulyk9560]

Excellent Viideo I have been riding Dirtbikes Since age 12 . Makes mt biking fun 😃Ride CF Warden Vancouver Daily ITS AMAZING😁

[@richmartinez2748]

Great vid. Very good details and very helpful. Good job!

[@JackBKillinit]

Bunny hop that hedge!

[@kevinw6282]

Nicely done! Sometimes it's not about "Just send it", nuance is important as you point out. Nice emphasis on the difference between unweighting and a more active, purposeful lift or hop. If people miss this point, well, not sure what you can do, you guys explained it well. Cheers!

[@vicwesmtb]

Thanks for the message Kevin! Totally agree on this! Mountain biking should not only be about “just sending it” - the majority of riders learning new skills need to start somewhere. Yes, if we are sending it, the “lift” or “hop” becomes less important as speed takes over - with high speed the bike require little or no compression to clear safely off the lip. But most of us start off slower and build up to speed. We try to marry the mainstream school of thought with our own personal experience - we are not “pro’s” or even “experts” - we are just sharing our own understanding and take on how we personally progressed. Thanks for your support 👊😎

[@junboo8730]

@@vicwesmtb On top on being pros you are humble. Great channel and couple. Wished I could visit you in South Africa.

[@vicwesmtb]

Thanks Jun Boo 😁🙏 we also wish you could visit us!! Have a lovely week ahead and see you next time!!

[@smg7281]

Thanks for help❤

[@offourrockers9471]

Great videos guys, you do a great job of explaining techniques. 👍

[@vicwesmtb]

Thanks for the message! We appreciate the feedback and super happy that you found our video helpful! Take care and see you next time ! 😁👍

[@riffmeisterkl]

Wouldn’t you do a small rearward weight shift / mini manual instead of jumping up ?

[@vicwesmtb]

Hi Jeff, thanks for the message. It all depends on how fast you are approaching. In the beginning, when you are nervous and not coming with enough speed then loading/unweighting upwards will be safer as the goal is to avoid the rear wheel rolling over the lip and getting bucked. However, if you have the right speed the unweighting movement gets much smaller as speed allows your rear wheel to clear the lip before the front wheel starts dropping. With that said, with the right speed we still wouldn’t shift our weight rearwards, it’s better to think of it as pushing the bike forwards by extending your arms slightly and lowering your body down towards the landing/into the bike as soon as the rear has cleared the lip to meet the angle of the landing and to place your wheels on the ground in a balanced position. Using the manual method in our opinion is an advanced method for only experienced riders as throwing your weight backwards on the lip is unbalanced, sketchy and the margin for error for getting bucked is high… but yes, if you’re a boss on your bike then to manual off a drop also works…but you still need to land with your weight evenly between the wheels, if you don’t you will be in trouble, especially on bigger drops…but each to their own. We are just sharing what works for us. We hit BIG drops super safely using this method as it maintains a balanced body position throughout the movement without ever needing to manual - Take it or leave 👊😉

[@riffmeisterkl]

@@vicwesmtb thank you for the detailed explanation. I guess there isn’t a substitute for just going out and learning skills in a controlled fashion… crashing when you’re > 50 ain’t fun…

[@vicwesmtb]

@@riffmeisterkl our advice would be to start super small, give our method a try and see how it works for you. Try watch our video in detail as we find a lot of folks don’t watch the whole thing where we do explain that the faster you go the less you do - at the right speed, with the correct timing and coordination it’s almost as if you do nothing - but there is always something to do even if it’s a very small movement - I’m in my 40’s (Wes) and I certainly cannot afford to crash too - we’re all about safety and trying to get the message across to others with what works for us - we are full time professional skills coaches and have figured a lot out over the years of how to assist our clients in a way that avoids crashing entirely - Mountainbiking is inherently dangerous so being super patient and allowing one’s self to progress in a controlled fashion and working on technique and timing on small inconsequential features is the BEST way to gain confidence for those more challenging obstacles out on the trails…take care and thanks for supporting our channel 🖖😁

[@WaRn00b85]

Awesome video, thanks for sharing! I ride the Tygerberg MTB trails often, and I've recently switched over to a short travel trail bike with flat pedals and shoes (from a more XC type setup with clipless pedals and shoes), quite a bit of practice required to get used to it, but I'm thoroughly enjoying the new challenges, and I have to constantly remind myself to pace myself and take the time to learn the proper techniques, as riding clipless doesn't teach you the right way necessarily. Did some black trails at Conties on Sunday, it was fun, but definitely need more practice on easier trails before I'll feel comfortable.

[@vicwesmtb]

Thanks for the message WHDii ! Yes, riding with flats does take a little getting used to but soon as your feet wake up you will never turn back !! We visit the cape quite regularly and have conducted loads of skills sessions there. We have also coached quite a few coaches in the cape that now teach how we do so if you need a coach let us know and we can put you in touch with a few peeps in Cape Town. We are also busy selling up in Jozi and hope to be based permanently in the cape by the end of this year! Anyways you take care and enjoy your trail bike and flats! cheers - Vic & Wes 🤙

[@bikebudha01]

Was really hoping to see some prawn....

[@LimaenCleta]

Good video, thanks from Lima, Peru.

[@adajeannie]

Great video!!

[@vicwesmtb]

Thanks Ada 🙏🙏🙏

[@fredrick8899]

At 40+ I think I wanna try some of your tutorials, thank you for patiently teaching the correct process nice and clear.

[@vicwesmtb]

Hi Fredrick! Thanks for the message! I hope you find some value from our tutorials! Wes is also 40+ 👊😉 age is just a number !! Take care and see you next time!

[@imdavid1876]

Nice vid guys!!!

[@robwales5987]

That's a short back yard landing area 😁 great video! Wish I could take a lesson with you two

[@lindivandenberg87]

If you're in SA, I can highly recommend coaching with Vic & Wes - whether it is in one of their skills camps or one-on-one. Vic got me to do things I never imagined I would even consider. Happy riding 😀

[@vicwesmtb]

Lol yea it was all we had to work with!! With the crazy wet weather 🌧 we had no choice but to setup at home and take quick advantage of small breaks in the clouds 😅 (most bike parks quite a drive from where we live…)

[@robwales5987]

@@vicwesmtb you two are doing a great job with it. I follow a few groups and watch a lot of instructional videos and yours are not only informative, but they are unique! Hard to find unique these days 👍👍

[@mikereynoldsguitar502]

I just bought an MTB hopper lite (awaiting delivery) so im cramming everything I can find on correct jumping technique so I found you guys by accident, so glad I did excellent tutorials all made a lot of sense, well explained and clearly delivered advice. Subbed and thanks a lot

[@vicwesmtb]

Thanks for the message Mike! Stoked you found us! we have been a bit quiet lately but about to find some space & time for our next video 😉 Stay tuned for our next video dropping soon!

[@ridingrn]

New subscriber here. This video is very informative, i also thought that you just need to push the bike when doing bigger drops with right speed. This video will help me for sure in progressing. Keep posting informative videos guys and more power to your channel..🤙🏾⚡️

[@vicwesmtb]

Thanks for the message riding RN! Pushing the bike forwards is not incorrect when you have a lot of speed, however if you’re just starting out and not confident yet with bigger drops and higher speeds we recommend you slow things down, go smaller, and learn about how to truly unweight your bike. Starting slow and then building up to speed- For us it’s all about safety, and pushing the bike forwards before the rear wheel is clear of the lip could cause your back wheel to roll over the lip and buck you. With that said, the faster you go the easier it is and the less you need to do 👍 when sending it fast you almost do nothing, but there is always something to do … and there is always a slight unweighting of the front wheel. 😉🤙

[@lauraperrotta9343]

Good Evening, Vic and Wes, thank you for the video. Can you tell us the location you were filming the drops, we looking for a place to practice in Gauteng. Weve been to a few bike parks but havent come across a place like this yet😢

[@TommyBlazeHD]

Smooth NOT fast was the most important advice. Because smooth = fast. It’s all technique.

[@roberttobin194]

Great thanks I was always taught to push the front wheel forward to unweight it going off the lip but I will try your way

[@vicwesmtb]

Hi Robin. Thanks for the message! It’s not incorrect to push the bike forwards off the drop - so long as you have enough speed to clear the lip. The faster you go the less you need to unweight. However, not all of us just go in super fast, going just a little slower requires some extra energy to keep the front wheel up long enough to prevent the rear wheel from rolling over the lip and causing a “buck” - this is where one needs to unweight the front wheel up. Only pushing the bike forwards off a lip without enough speed can spell disaster 👊😉 - the faster you go the less you need to do - if you are going super fast one almost needs to do nothing , but there is still always something to do, even if it’s only a very small movement- that’s our take anyways! Hope it helps! Thanks for your support 😎🤙

[@andrel.paguntalan248]

Amazing👍🇦🇪🇵🇭

[@jadedafel386]

Great vid guys. Keep them coming.🤙 Do you mind sharing what trail you are riding at the 14m15s ?

[@vicwesmtb]

Hi Jade! Thanks for the message! We were at Grootfontien Bike Park in Pretoria East. Checkout the Trailforks link in the video’s description of the venue 👊😎

[@jadedafel386]

@@vicwesmtb Ahh sorry missed the link in descirption, thanks. Im in CPT so wrong country 😜

[@vicwesmtb]

@@jadedafel386 ah ok - lol ya different continent 😜 We in CPT in Feb 2023, perhaps we can link up for a ride 🤙

[@jadedafel386]

@@vicwesmtb Awesome, catch yous on the trails🤙

[@cambahawvlog]

Will done subscribe ma'am sir!!

[@bikebudha01]

Would love to see this video 'amended' to show how to hit drops when clipped in...

[@stevefield9967]

keep it going guys, good luck with the channel from the UK.

[@vicwesmtb]

Thanks for the message Steve. Glad you enjoyed! 🤙

[@siobhanmillea3872]

Fab video again folks, very easy to follow… thanks

[@Uslace]

How to conquer fear .. yell "YOLO" really loud and then go (:

[@Ryder345]

Hey,I am just wondering so you guys recommend full face helmets

[@vicwesmtb]

Hi Rider 86, thanks for the message! So I guess it depends on how confident you are on the bike and how big the feature is that you riding. With that said, yea, we definitely recommend full face helmets. With helmets these days being super light and strong it’s really easy to wear and if/when you crash at least your face and head is protected… hope this answers your question. Cheers 👊😎

[@awfully.average]

so let me get this straight, i load and explode with my feet , very little to no input from my hands ?

[@vicwesmtb]

Hiya awfully average, when it comes to unweighting the bike, loading is mostly through your feet, your hands just hold the front wheel up (but not by pulling it up). Don’t pull the front of the bike up towards yourself, the front of the bike is relatively heavy and you will most likely only pull yourself forwards (into a dangerous position), instead of allowing the front of the bike to get light and stay up. Once you start dropping with a lot more speed (high speed) then loading becomes almost negligible, as the speed you carry allows the rear of the bike to clear the lip without the front wheel dropping and causing a “buck” and OTB. In this scenario you can push the front of the bike forwards with your hands to meet the angle of the landing, but this is an advanced manipulation. I hope this helps . Cheers 👊

[@awfully.average]

@@vicwesmtb thank you so much ! With your explanation I can see the spectrum of techniques !

[@alexm5216]

Can you show on a hardtail

[@vicwesmtb]

Hi Alex, we don’t have a hard tail but the technique works the same😉👍 just start small and work your way up…

[@WilliamCorderoT]

friendly recommendation, get a lavalier mic✌

[@playmoreguitar5393]

Lekker bru. Just found your channel. Commenting for the Algo and Sub'd. Good luck 🤞

[@vicwesmtb]

Thanks for the message bro! We have had a busy couple of months, life’s been happening - we planning our next video soon and then hopefully we will get back on a role!! Take care and thanks for the Sub 👊😁