MOUNTAIN BIKE DROPS FOR BEGINNERS. DON'T MANUAL OFF DROPS!

Mountain Bike Drops for Beginners was inspired by a request from a channel subscriber, Robin. Robin asked me to make a video with Lee from Lee Likes Bikes. At first I didn't see the need. There are a lot of videos on how to ride drops on a mountain bike already out there. But as I looked through them, it was obvious that many were suggesting techniques too advanced for beginner/intermediate riders (manuals) and even my favorite videos from Kyle Warner and Rich Drew might not be perfect for a rider like Robin looking to simplify and build confidence. I asked Lee if he was up for making a video on how to do drops for beginner mountain bikers and he saw the same potential to focus on beginners and intermediate riders who wanted to build up their confidence. I rode a hard tail mountain bike and Lee used his full suspension just to show the technique works equally well.
Kyle and April's drop video:
• Better Drops In 1 Day ...
Rich Drew's drop video:
• The Ride Series How To...
Lee's bestselling MTB book with Brian Lopes
www.amazon.com/Mastering-Moun...
Check out Lee and get some coaching at leelikesbikes.com
0:00 Discussion on other KZbin drop advice
3:13 How to roll a 15-inch drop
5:14 How to roll a 2-foot drop
6:00 How to air a small drop with a gap
8:29 How to air a 4-foot drop

[@garrymacdonald7492]

I've been waiting on this video for 30 years!!

[@JoyOfBike]

I hope it's better late than never. : )

[@chsoneal]

98

[@BrianRPaterson]

28 years for me. It's tough when everyone on KZbin seems to be saying something different. But this looks right, so I'm giving it a go. Cheers

[@GemsOutdoor]

Thanks for this, helps alot. Making it simple and easy for a newbie like me 👌🔥🚴‍♀️

[@Jesusprayerwarriorbw]

@@JoyOfBike Thanks For this Alex and Lee!! I'm 50 and will be getting my 1st Mountain Bike soon. I want to do flow trails and jump trails mainly due to back injury. Just cant take the continual jarring of the rock tech stuff. But a suspension bike should be able to soak up the landings if I do them right.

[@graememackenzie8795]

Alex + Lee = the BEST mtb duo on KZbin. I first heard about Lee on The MTB Podcast with Jonathan Lee and Steven Lewis. Lee's advice on the Triangle of Awesome and the hinge transformed my riding and I've been scouring the web for Lee's content ever since! I'm blown away by Alex's good vibes, humility and skill...having Lee as a regular feature on these vids surely makes this channel the gold standard for MTB progression!

[@JoyOfBike]

This is so great to wake up to. Thank you! Very motivating!!

[@Iamgavrilo]

Absolutely!

[@TNT2of4]

Lee coauthored a book with Brian Lopes outlining all of these techniques. Mastering Mountain Bike Skills. I would highly recommend it.

[@frazzy8554]

True!

[@peterhaslund]

Instructive AND fun? - in a word: educational!

[@NelsonRiollano]

Guys. I'm 54 and like many others, just got into mtb'ing. I've watched the same videos you mentioned and although I learned from them, I got the most from yours. Simple and something I can take to the trail without having to pull out my phone to review all the steps again before I attempt it. This is the 3rd of your videos that I watched and I'm loving them. Thank you.

[@JoyOfBike]

Thank you Nelson!! This got me thinking. I met a couple yesterday at a skate park and they were brand new to MTB. They were asking how to manual and some other stuff and I was offering some tips. Finally I asked if they could bunnyhop and they couldn't. I'm not a coach. Lee is. But we worked on that and I could see that that move has everything you need to learn in one place. As I worked with them I realized they couldn't get it if their body placement was wrong. So we had to get them centered in a good low hinge. Then the hop itself is a row and anti row. Wow. 10 minute later they were doing small flat (english) hops and beaming!!!! And I think it was because it was the first time that they had really integrated with the bike and got that feeling.

[@mannyechaluce3814]

Turning 54 this year also, I mtb a waaaaay long time ago in my 30s, stopped due to work, just getting back again.

[@paulmanias8269]

Still the best freakin' drop video on KZbin! Watching it again before I hit Mountain Creek, Vernon, NJ

[@thepixelcatcher]

Thanks fellas. I am 46 and haven't been mountain biking for nearly a decade so considering that I now live in Alberta and will be visiting Whistler Bike Park this summer, this is a good refresher. I used to manual off jumps all the time--in fact that is how I always did it. Never really crashed much but at my age I need to rely more of technique instead of just using brute force to throw my bike around. Cheers.

[@jingshelpmaboab]

An older chap here says thanks - I watched Rich Drew's video and Kyle & April's, and this pulls them together as well as explaining the missing bits. I don't want to do anything massive, avoiding injury while having fun is my main aim, so I'll try to follow your advice and practice - with video camera to review how I get on.

[@TorrentUK]

Over 50, started mtb'ing in August last year. Just know you guys are keeping me alive at the moment (although I am sat here with bruised ribs at the moment :D)

[@dlwsport250]

I am 56 and I am just now learning to research these things. Thank you SO very much for your methods of descriptions, presentation, generosity of thoughtfulness and effort.

[@lee_likes_bikes]

You are welcome!

[@rhystubegaming3415]

This is a great one. “Make the angle” is the key missing ingredient on other vids. It’s not robotic technique, it require some pilot adjustments. I’ve watched all of the videos you cited and they work, but this highlights a few great points. Always balanced, not back, get low, make the angle. The Kyle video gets you here but without that last bit. I just rode the drop festival that is the whole enchilada in Moab, and once I found my zen I was basically riding exactly how you are instructing here. I like the three steps because when I am in technical terrain I actually talk to myself through the fundamentals to ensure I’m on point technique wise. Simple, easy to remember simplification is what it’s all about. Same when approaching a jump. Great stuff!

[@JoyOfBike]

Oh man, I know the feeling on Whole Enchilada. You get in that drop groove state of zen and namastoke and you start going so fast. It's beautiful. Glad you liked the video! I sometimes make up songs about riding when I'm in that state. Seems to allow the subconscious to do the processing. Goofy but so fun!

[@ThePalmiterfamily1]

I have an Enduro XL. If I don't lift the front wheel a bit or do a manual then I always land front tire heavy... I'm new to mountain biking and I'm just tackling 2- 3 foot drops at the max.. The one good attempt I did have on the 3 ft was when I did manual a little bit right before the drop and it was the smoothest landing.. also when we're in tight conditions and we don't have a lot of speed if the trail is winding you have to manual because it's just not enough forward momentum to ride over the drop and use these techniques....

[@patricke3848]

Your videos have taught me to always check the weight on my hands and always hinge at my hips. It's made me a much better rider! Thanks!

[@stuttgartred5510]

Guys I love your straight forward common sense approach in all the videos you’ve posted. Lee’s technical knowledge and teaching ability along with Alex’s soft calm delivery make for some of the best MTB videos on KZbin. I regularly come back and rewatch your videos over and over but we need more, come on guys get the camera out and get posting again; we miss you 🤙

[@barryhansen5302]

I find Alex and Lee's videos hilarious and they offer the best, most logical, simplest techniques of any videos I've watched. So, here it is: I'm 71 started mountain biking 3-4 years ago and go off small platforms and enjoy single track rocky trails and berms. I learned it from these two guys and enjoyed ever minute of their videos. Kudos to you guys. Great stuff.

[@JoyOfBike]

This warms my heart. Feeling honored and blessed to be a part of your journey.

[@angstrom102]

Super video! Thanks for making these!

[@roddixon9402]

Simplicity - yes please. My head is so full of technique and advice that I am just over thinking so much and the result is sometimes a bit chaotic !!!

[@checoperezugalde22]

It takes a lot of practice but your videos help a lot. Greetings from sinaloa mexico

[@ms.karihart2983]

I’ve learned a lot today in what I’m doing wrong on drops

[@JoyOfBike]

Thanks Raheem. Glad you got something out of this video and welcome to the channel. Congrats on the manuals too!!

[@jedmendoza9183]

Just sent my first ever gap like drop! Man this tutorial is very easy to understand! Ive watched many tutorials on youtube but this clicked to me! I hope you’ll make how to’s on drops that have semi flat landings 🤟🏽

[@JosephBank]

Totally loving both the content and production quality. Super well done and many thanks!

[@harrygeorge5550]

Just found you yesterday. Second video. Thank you soo much. I’m always looking to improve my skills

[@ShreddySteve]

Excellent advice! Can't wait to try it!

[@vladimirbarkhatov]

Drop with jump mechanics - really would love to see a video on this..

[@tonyw7972]

Great explanation. So clear!

[@Maocom81]

Great video guys. Cannot wait to try it next time I’m out

[@CMMWest]

Brilliant again!

[@jlgjavier]

nice detailed info...THANK YOU!

[@mtharvey7502]

Interesting...enjoyed the banter and the logic was sound. I'm looking forward to trying it out. Thanks and keep up the good work.

[@mariacruceta6860]

So excited going to work using these techniques on my next attempt at drops thank u☮️

[@Adam-xo7cv]

You guys are awesome. The way you explain the physics of everything really helps me to understand why I need to do the things I need to do. Great video!

[@kieranwhittemore1010]

I love how you are not overthinking things, and break it down to simple steps

[@caseyarman8037]

I’ve got a playlist full of drop videos, but this is the one I had my son sit down and watch. However in trying to apply the technique, I realized that most naturally occurring drops have a downward angle. This requires some adjustment of your neutral position. As the bike slopes down, neutral position will need to move back. If you maintain the level ground neutral position that you would use on man-made features such as shown in this video on a downward sloping natural drop, you’ll actually wind up with your weight forward and the bike rolling the drop.

[@jameseaves71]

Awesome video 👏

[@0ntoowheels]

Dude...amazing videos! So much content out there and you, nailed it!!!

[@JoyOfBike]

Appreciate it!!

[@AngelHernandez-qf5wc]

Very well explained. THANK YOU!

[@ClubmanGT1971]

Brilliant. Thanks guys👌

[@themeatchopper]

Your videos are just so great. The advice you give to improve technique just immediately makes so much intuitive sense!

[@Laodage23]

Absolutely the best tutorial on drops. Thanks

[@cuijeff7498]

This is really helpful. Thank you guys, looking forward to more videos from you!

[@delandomcleod2052]

Thank you guys, this really educate me 👍

[@davidugarte3826]

My new favorite channel. Thanks guys for giving this old man confidence.

[@davidrivera390]

NICE!!! Love it!

[@BikeBrosLaUnion]

Great vid! Thanks for the tutorials & advices 🙏💯

[@Kranker.]

This vid is great, love the advice. So helpful 🤘🏽Thanks for sharing

[@JoyOfBike]

No problem!!

[@federicoflores4570]

Thanks so much. As same as you watch a ton of videos and I watch your video today and finally did a 5 feet drop👍👍

[@TiMoLoToV]

Thank you guys. I watched ton of videos before attempting first time drops at the bikepark. But i watched this one the day before i went to try them out for the first time (just yesterday) and your advice really got in mij head and now its in my lizzardbrain! good stuff!

[@TheButlerNZ]

Been a bit quiet but I see recent replies so great to see you haven't gone MIA. There's a million over skilled riders doing over skilled videos... Always a pleasure to watch your (over skilled self) making videos for us average riders. I'm somewhere above medium mediocre and try and pop in videos of slow runs of local tracks for just the same reason... There's plenty of riders out there better than me.. hopefully I can help some go and ride that track that otherwise looked like you had to be world champ to attempt.

[@bhrbehavioralhealthracing30]

You guys are great! Thanks Subscribed

[@bjarbj944]

This video is so good! Thank you! Best drop video on KZbin

[@bRoWnEyE1367]

Excellent video without being overwhelming. Explained direct with lots of right information but still keeping it simple. Thank you

[@oleksandrs1102]

The best. I have just watched many channels as I have just bought first mtb and this channel gives so natural and simple explanation.

[@EJ-V8Bikes]

SIMPLY AWESOME video instruction combined with confidence building for a nube mountain biker like me. Thanks!!

[@williammoses7605]

Lee nailed it, I am not the same person when my wheels leave the ground! I become nervous, stiff and scared...

[@bradwilliams1869]

Breath out slowly right before you hit the ramp or drop. It's a game changer.

[@bkipad]

Great tutorial, thanks

[@tomosullivan7193]

You guys are great!

[@marcdahlhoff6360]

great video, makes me much more confident. thanks!

[@petestewart2701]

Thanks guys! You've straightened out a whole lot of contradictory teaching I've been watching & having mixed results with. This is much simpler & more effective 👍

[@MacDaniboi]

This seemed way safer and smoother than the 'pop' video I just watched. This gave me a feeling of idiotproof-ness.

[@nickmaffei4171]

Great video & simple to understand style. Subscribed.

[@JoyOfBike]

Thanks! Welcome to the channel.

[@dv8322]

I really liked this video and I think the key is to start small, do a lot of reps and slowly get higher as you get the feel. So much of this is feel. Just my thoughts.

[@cliveholloway7458]

Thank you so much! I REALLY appreciate discussing the mental stuff, it’s like you’ve done this video just for me. Cheers and happy riding!

[@JoyOfBike]

Thanks Clive!!

[@jimtyler1181]

So true about other videos being confusing. This is the best drop video out there...period.

[@ICE329]

great info!

[@arellanodaniel12]

Simplicity... I like that! You just gained a subscriber!

[@mizsbae5545]

Thanks for the tips ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍

[@hookstar7110]

Love this channel!

[@JoyOfBike]

The channel is loving you back!!!

[@koganmb]

Loving all your videos. Very relatable for "older" riders. I gotta start practicing some of the stuff you're teaching.

[@JoyOfBike]

The practice is really fun. We are doing a vid on bunny hops and the last two days i did more bunny hops than the last two months!!! Start a KZbin channel if you want lots of practice. LOL.

[@rs-ss]

Professional, funny, and very enjoyable video,the way you explain, the way how you ride on a bike, makes me think it's easy to do the same. You're motivation😀 Respect!

[@williambreeze2659]

Solid video gents!

[@chucksanson586]

Super cool - keep it up guys.

[@JoyOfBike]

Thanks Chuck!

[@charlespalmerii4299]

Thanks Guys, been riding now a little over a year, to advance on some of the trails I want to ride , I need to get this down, this was very helpful thank you.

[@nerdexproject]

"Luxury Low" - Love the advice👍👍👍

[@JoyOfBike]

👍

[@csjtbanks]

I have made some mistakes of mis-interpreting step down jumps with a minor incline as an opportunity to use Lee's drop technique with not great results though. I'm glad you mentioned this at the end of your video.

[@roberttrench465]

Let me try that this weekend and see ! Been trying to teach my 11yo daughter how to do drops so this will help us both !

[@jackep82s]

finally something easy to understand! thank you guys

[@JoyOfBike]

Thanks!

[@charliemerrill8687]

You two are great teachers! thanks, charlie m. from illinois

[@gabrielnava1322]

Guys I watched your video this morning before going riding this morning and it helped me so much practicing my drops. Thank You Guys.

[@JoolsTurrall]

Mmmmore luxury low! Love it 😁 It's the same as if you were not on your bike, you don't jump up or with a straight body and legs to jump down a drop, you squat and step off to reduce the impact and height. Nice work fellas 👍

[@24brunner]

One of the best teaching i have seen in years

[@devmiller3007]

Thank you for all the info amazing video

[@JoyOfBike]

Any time!

[@CraigGjerdingen]

SO good!

[@Snoshado]

Fun video with some great tips! It was nice meeting you at Valmont today, Lee (I was riding the Pivot with the blue/pink suspension)!

[@lee_likes_bikes]

Great work Alex!

[@JoyOfBike]

Back at ya sir!

[@markmckenney4534]

Dream Team

[@Belchenradler-biketouren]

Great video! It proves what I tell my customers for so many years. Keep it simple. No fancy technique. Just roll over drops the way it's shown here.

[@oldfartcycling]

For what it's worth, I've done Rich Drew's clinic. Your techniques completely agree.

[@TazErrant]

Great video - thanks guys! I'm just learning and was so confused from different videos I'd watched. It makes much more sense now. I'm off to build myself a ramp at home to practise small drops over and over until I'm sure I've got it.

[@aureliegrignard7171]

Super useful thanks

[@seymourtompkins]

I really love your humility. I subscribed just for that alone :)

[@JoyOfBike]

Welcome to our humble crew!

[@daverichardson6334]

THANK YOU! I couldn't wrap my head around being so far forward on the bike in Rich Drews video

[@JoyOfBike]

Rich flat shreds. But in any sport there is more than one right answer and we all have our own styles. Glad this clicked for you.

[@jimmyl.bakerjr.7026]

You guys are simple, straight to the point without the extra fluff. EXCELLENT!

[@JoyOfBike]

Appreciate the kinds words Jimmy!!

[@euripedesribeiro7106]

Very helpful explanation. I was very confused with all videos on the matter i have watched. Your shoots here clarify hell of things and fit well considering mechanics

[@edwardweiszbeck1649]

Good video guys👍

[@ikanasin15]

Alex, thanks for your inspiring video ...

[@JoyOfBike]

My pleasure!

[@dolceitalia5846]

Thank you so much for this video! I’ve watched a lot of videos to help my confidence in going for drops but none have been as informative as this one! Also, what you say actually makes sense-a lot of the others just confuse me more 🤪! New subscriber here :)

[@JoyOfBike]

Thanks for the kind words and joining the crew! Here is to a shreddy 2021!

[@jasonh4709]

Excellent, thank you!!

[@JoyOfBike]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jinavl]

Great stuff for us older guys🤙🤙body position is critical.. especially hips

[@viperdemonz-jenkins]

you explain it very well compared to some others.

[@stevegordonson720]

Alex and Lee - wow - your videos are so easy to understand , and zen - I think you've distilled MB to its essence! I'm from long Island and wish I found your channel before I visited Park City last july. I had a blast ( great cross country and some downhill at deer valley - woo hooo ! ) but I think I would have had fewer white knuckle moments if I had seen your videos before hand ! Keep them coming ! ( BTW 64 years old , achy but loving it!)

[@rebeccagrant6622]

Thank you for this video! Agree all the other videos are confusing and didn't realize how low I need to get. Can't wait to try this weekend! 🚴😁👊 #bestdropvideo!

[@JoyOfBike]

Luxury low!

[@JasonCLopez]

Thank you for this video! I watched it once this morning and it transformed my ride in the afternoon! I finally had fun on harder trails. Perfect instructional. Thank you again!

[@JoyOfBike]

Heck yeah. Stoked!!!