Stop Crashing On Drops | How To Bike with Ben Cathro EP 9

[@pinkbike]

Watch ALL the How To Bike episodes below! Ep 1: How To Actually Learn New Skills On Your Bike - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHjWf6mabqqbrLM Ep 2: Pro Mountain Bike Setup Guide - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpe4qoFsr9N5acU Ep 3: Decoding The Best Mountain Biking Body Position: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4eve3yrjtyKlck Ep 4: Absorbing Trail Features & Maintaining Speed: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6aXoZ-iqrqJqqM Ep 5: How To Use Your Brakes To Actually Ride Faster: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3fGm2pmbJ2aqqM Ep 6: How To Get More Speed From Trails With Pumping: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmXIkKZvlLGjjKM Ep 7: Line Choice Is Easier Than You Think With These Rules - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmO3YaCVqs-Uask Ep 8: How To Corner Properly - kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIDUd6ytfNGffNk Ep 9: Stop Crashing On Drops - kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3utcopmnrObi7s Ep 10: Make Jumping Easier - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3OYeKB_gZWmosk

[@MntRprznt]

Amazing series, a lot of work in that. Thank you!

[@blairlohnes8103]

To any newbies, I broke my neck 6 months ago while dropping off a 3ft drop and going too slow. I held on and my front tire just dropped off while my back tire hung up and I slammed myself headfirst into the ground. I crushed my C5, and had hairline fractures to my C4 and C6. Lost all feeling in my hands for a few minutes, and got super lucky as I was alone in the woods of BC, and I am finally back on the hill. Bottom line, this video is gold, and don't be like me. ;)

[@nikolamiljkovic6069]

I hope you are fully recovered. I am at min 8 of this video- scared as hell. After reading your comment, I am even more scared now. Well, I'll keep riding the fire roads I guess

[@t1mh0pe]

That sounds familiar... luckily I just knocked myself out!

[@t1mh0pe]

@@nikolamiljkovic6069if you’re still scared, go back to something small and build up gradually.

[@nikolamiljkovic6069]

@@t1mh0pe 100%

[@tylerdurden4289]

I did something very similar a few years ago but luckily just suffered muscle damage and a broken helmet. When I landed I thought that i would be in a wheelchair the rest of my life, I've never experienced pain like it before or since. It was nothing too, not some big send or anything crazy, just inexperience and lack of knowledge. Glad to hear you're doing well.

[@Shezaad18]

I'm always amazed by the knowledge of Ben and the way he can explain the techniques so eloquently.

[@Phonophobia]

Especially the extras for the Australian viewers, this man thinks about everything. Fantastic stuff.

[@HannyDart]

hes been working as a mtb-coach for some years already :D

[@martinforbes3371]

I personnaly think Ben has the way to let me understand it all clear ! It's amazing, but now I've to copy all this together and practice... fun's coming :) Thank's Ben Cathro

[@sandteena42]

899

[@Billharr95]

Cathro is the coach that everyone needs! 10/10 for most understandable free bike lessons

[@justsayin3600]

I went to the bike park. A guy riding the exact same bike started up a conversation. We chatted a bit, then we dropped in. After the ride, he gave me some tips. I did just as he said. My ride was SO MUCH BETTER! He also gave me other tips and asked if I have ever seen Ben's videos on the topic. I had not. He told me he's a downhill racer and Ben's videos has helped him tremendously. Now I'm going to watch all of Ben's videos. Ben, you rock dude!

[@christianhurtado6095]

Best MTB teacher in the world! 🙏🏼

[@magicmacify]

Honestly the best video on this topic in the whole Internet. Too much Trainers explain the "push" as "manual light". A manual comes from the legs, a push from the arms. I learned this the hard way.

[@BBurton1231]

Wheel Punch

[@elevatexd]

Ben once again goes over every technique and myth out there, debunks them and shows us the clearly best option backed by some physics in a very well explained manner

[@iggalan]

OMG, this is incredible! Until now I was using the hop technique. Not being comfortable with the manual technique, I settled with the hop. But when I tried the push technique my landings were so smooth, I couldn't believe it. So I tried a few more times and it seemed as if the drop I was practicing it was suddenly half the height 😲 . I used a drop that is about 50 cm high (not rollable) with a level landing, so with the hop technique the landing was not nice. When I tried the push technique the landing was so smooth it seemed as if I, somehow, did a much smaller drop. The part about going so low and so close with your face to the handle bar is somewhat counter-intuitive, but it works.

[@alpsalish]

They hop technique can just be styling out. I don't always want to be fast. Sometimes I want to bash around and pop everything.

[@alpsalish]

Level landings are.. kinda crap anyway.

[@RCPilot48]

Very good video, with lots of fine pointers. The most important is "the principles are the same" that is key to helping learn the basics and then how to apply the techniques as needed. I'm an old guy - 73- and love having added riding single track after years of road riding. Thanks, now a new subscriber!

[@thecakeisalie7070]

It must have been sooo scary to demonstrate all the death methods. Especially hopping and catching the rear on the lip! That stump landing is hawt!

[@mjojrjr6231]

Yeah, was so shocked by that too. Just tells us how a pro can dial their riding skills.

[@lv2nymph933]

I can't tell you how glad I am to have found Pb & Ben. Appreciate all the hard work that goes into these vids...

[@Thinit]

Ben is killing this series. Stoked to see him do more with the channel, maybe see him on PBA?????

[@khalliddo1385]

Up for this he should be on PBA

[@Eddie141-BMW]

I have to watch this video series again and again, maybe best even in a loop, before the next bike season starts. Thanks Ben! You're the best!

[@TNTWARRIOR007]

This series has elevated my riding more than all the other MTB content I’ve consumed combined. Thanks to the team!

[@alexanderchung404]

Great video as always. The pushing the bike off a drop is something that I do work on but the pushing the bike at the same angle as the slope is a new one to add and will be really helpful.

[@senorcharrleh5146]

Love watching Ben, he was made to present. Need to rewatch this series. I would love to see him on PBA!

[@ralphhebgen7067]

11:19!! That’s it! I can do drops unless they get too scary and I never felt that I was doing the pushing away part. To me, it felt more like I was riding down a roller ‘in the air’. And that’s the reason! You push parallel to the incline of the run-out! Brilliant. This is a case where a video made me understand why I was doing something right - like I said, for manageable drops that do not get absurd. Thank you!

[@piotrpiotrowski3899]

Brilliant! I have watched hundreds of MTB videos, but nothing comes close to this technique demonstration. Thanks!!!

[@timfield4529]

This mans a legend, I’ve been riding for years and this is the first time I’ve watched technique videos. I’ve never been the best at drops can’t wait to try the push technique always used the front wheel lift can’t wait to watch the rest of the series 5 stars

[@Veyron1967]

Late to this but fantastic advice from a guy with a style that just makes you want to listen. I used to drop by lifting the front wheel thinking is was cool - and it was, until one day it wasn't.

[@vuss2107]

More to include in future.- Bike fit for taller riders 29er vs 27.5 taller riders Things like bike set up so stack height spacers on steerer tube, chain stay lengths, handle bar rise, rear sag 25% vs 30% pop support or all round trail, bottom bracket height, cause all this plays a huge part on how a bike will handle drops and jump and body positions required when hitting bigger drops and lips ect Sitting in the bike rather than on top

[@jensbruggemann1771]

This series by far is the best how to mtb series on youtube; way better than previous pinkbike editions and GMBN. Only other that's decent is Kyle&April, but this really knocks it out of the park!

[@mylesmackey2430]

I absolutely love the presentation of these tutorials. Fantastic work folks

[@petermakrauer6176]

Thank you BEN! You are a delightful host as always. Love to hear you on just about anything!

[@PentagonalAntiprism]

For someone who just came from XC to a Trail/Enduro bike this series is pure GOLD!

[@stevesprissler8761]

Nice work, Well described this is a difficult thing to describe but once you done it you can use it anywhere. I rode motocross for about 20 years and we used the technique as a habit on all jumps because it mitigates any kickers or irregularities in the face / take-off of the jump and allows you to control the bike and not get thrown off your line. One of the most useful skills you can develop as a rider 🙂.

[@stevenhill2204]

Very cool. These same techniques have been applied in downhill and Super-G ski racing basically forever. Pre-jumping drops and rollers, up-unweighting and down-unweighting, etc. It's interesting how the same physics apply in both sports.

[@dcasandman]

There’s some great drop tutorials out there, that this literally shows each bad technique and what not to do helps the most.

[@Petr388]

Cant wait for the jumping tutorial. Hope it will have at least 30 minutes

[@jipstone9147]

Same for me😜

[@harrynorman2200]

30 minutes? I'm hoping for an entire Netflix series.

[@gregoryf9299]

It would need to be 300 minutes for me, lol!

[@truthholder9263]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery Know that all your efforts have helped thousands of riders . We all Thank you.

[@mario_me_Obelix]

This video explains the physics of a drop the best of any video I've seen before. THX

[@stevencole7331]

In the end it's all about timing . If you screw that up the better at knowing how much to recover is key and why I like how you incorporated that into your teachings

[@koho]

Great tutorial, as they all are. The only minor differences vs. what I've learned are the push is more via feet than hands (just think of shifting hips back - the motion will take care of itself), and the velocity, duration, and distance of the push are matched to the time between the front wheel leaving the drop to the back wheel leaving. Once off the drop your hands will automatically apply pressure back on the bars, bringing the bike back underneath you. Pretty minor tweaks, not really necessary. Glad Ben addresses the "pre-load/jump" unweighting approach that a lot of sites show. You really do land a lot harder that way.

[@dvs620]

I don't jump, I preload and let the bike spring up. It helps when I roll slower into a drop as it gives more time for the back wheel. The pushing one works best for me if I'm going faster. But it's similar to shifting your weight back and getting close to the back wheel, for me.

[@namewastaken360]

Sweet! The "push" is what I've naturally arrived at as a drop technique. I kind of think of it as sliding my bike forward to touch down level with the ground. It works on short notice drops too...

[@Kimblesgarage]

4:18 this explanation unlocked in my brain what I’ve been doing wrong trying to manual bikes for a decade.

[@mojo3398]

i have seen 10s of videos about how to do drops but this is by far the best.

[@emilysona]

Love the explanations. My riding is at another level because of Ben.. Thank You

[@Nagria2112]

BEST "how to bike series" on youtube!

[@johnstubblefield2341]

The best series of Pinkbike!

[@eric12345098]

My new favorite channel to binge watch!!!!!😮

[@myideas8548]

I have been riding for a long time and still get a bunch out of these videos. Great work.

[@rossridesmtb7497]

Ben Cathro you are a legend, this explanation was super clear and helpful!

[@CarlHarwatt]

There are a couple of other YT channels that do good skills videos but this series has been the best I've seen. Ben explains everything so well and I like the examples of the other techniques. It's definitely going to help me "level up" my riding skills. Could this be the end of Friday fails?

[@progkast]

He's a good rider too. I raced for a few years and just shake my head at most of these types of videos on YT. Ben is a good, skilled rider indeed! I learned to ride mostly from watching videos of other riders and racers. The last technique is one that BMX riders use a lot - along with the "pump" - and you will see them using it all throughout a race - on small type mounds - it is an easy skill to absorb from watching. I used it on a massive long and steep drop on Mammoth Mtn. - smooth as glass... I was so stoked cus I was sure I was gonna biff it. Just watching Ben's videos and how he explains it, for myself and for others... is just good fuel to hammer it into one's head.

[@madjh8]

For me is crucial to be in the mood ... so I don´t start the ride with drops etc, I start easy and if you are in the right mood and enjoing the ride ... all comes, you feel that you can do it and feel the terrain and the reactions of the bicycle and the strenth of your body.

[@fredetricko5555]

what a genius, so clear and complete, love it

[@paulmacfarlane1070]

Thanks for dropping this vid, you really pushed the limits of explanation. Away to work on my floppy drop.

[@Liston611]

These videos are gold! Have waited half of them and learned tons so far

[@justincrow9337]

Ben explains things with plenty of detail and humour and these are the best tutorials I've found. I think I have a man crush.

[@wiljaq2773]

Thank you. Good vid! But as a single father/63-year old/solo cyclist (nobody to aid of injured) who loves to shred & climb my best technique to drops is to stop, get off the bike, and walk down the drop!

[@mrsmartypants_1]

Noooo! 😂 They really are super easy to at least 5’ drops. You should give them a go. You’ll get very comfortable. As always the key is start small and gradually step it up. And follow Ben’s great instruction. You can start building technique on 12” drops.

[@shreddinwithhornet9974]

My friend shared this technique with me which he learnt from this video. I've been practising it and it's really cool! Thank you so much for sharing this amazing skill!

[@derekbaker8791]

Dude, I've been riding longer than you've been alive lol! Very well done. I learned something and I was entertained I can't wait to get out tomorrow for a practice! :)

[@AlexGuitarsSongs]

Very very clear explanation.. I'm Italian, but i understood more in this english video than an italian video. Many thanks Ben. Great!!!! 🤟🤟

[@neonedge9]

I learned the "push" method some time ago on some other video and it does really work well. Please note that if you are going fast you push less, slower you pusher faster. If you push too fast when going fast you will likely pull up the front wheel (like a manual), so be aware. So your push should match your speed and it does take some practice on different sized drops and different speeds before you feel truly comfortable.

[@souhaibz]

Pushing is the better method I think!

[@oliverchalkley1187]

How can pushing result in your front tire lifting?

[@neonedge9]

@@oliverchalkley1187 Because you're pushing with both your hands & feet. So if you push too much, your feet will push the bike further than your hands can push so it will be the same as pulling up on the bars. It's more or less the same way you would do a manual.

[@myalteregohamish]

An absolute delight watching these videos

[@toddwanous2356]

Loved the overlapped videos showing the lines of all 3 drop techniques

[@erictrelz3519]

Ben, thanks for the excellent video. There are many confusing drop videos out there and, following one, I have been bunny hopping off the edge of the drop wit inconsistent results. I feel out of control and way too high. Every time, it scares me. Now I know what I was doing wrong and will fix it. Great job!

[@cactusflats6592]

Great video on a complicated subject... I've had 2 hard crashes on 4-5' drops recently, this video really helped me understand what I'm doing wrong on specifically the landing component... cheers Ben, thanks for the breakdown!

[@decdeclanlan]

I watched this to learn to get better at mountain biking but honestly the smoothness I can ride off a kerb on my roadie now has changed my life haha

[@kristenbrook897]

Thanks Ben, loved it. So well explained. Cant wait to go out and start practicing on something small and then graduate up slowly.

[@xav_1029]

Great video as always. Only thing missing that a Trail Boss video covers is the front wheel preload/unload when there is a bump/rock/obstacle at the edge of a drop to minimize its effect. Looking forward to next one

[@yarkmates3409]

These videos are so good , every time I jump on my bike a Scottish voice inside my head goes “boss stance , boss stance BOSS STANCE ‘. Thanks Ben 👍

[@ndiazmal]

The level of details and explanations were incredible. Thank you!

[@j.m.kitner680]

How did you know I told my partner Sunday that I needed to work on this? This is not the first time I've said I needed to work on a skill and the following week the relevant video was out. You are a gem of a human!

[@kenvysmiguel8817]

Really appreciate! I am also really excited for the How to Jump episode😁

[@eXaviar]

Love that series! Helped me to make so much progress. Especially the absorbing techniques! Thanks!

[@magicmacify]

Same here

[@jayTmix89]

Thank you for putting your laugh back into the opening:)

[@cancer8343]

10:50 yeah that was it, really love that absorbie feeling.

[@kenjiwalter5024]

Slinky science guy! Great breakdown as usual from Professor Cathro 🤘🏼

[@conradical41]

Love the level of technicality and detail....well done

[@mtbflow14]

Cool to see another detailed explanation of dropping. Especially how to land at the angle of the slope! Im not the pro like Ben Cathro is, but as a trainer I explain dropping with the difference in speed and timing. The faster you ride the more precise your timing needs to be. So for that reason I explain the push skill. At slow speed and lower drops, I recommend using the pop skill. Main reason is pressuring your pedals and use all the space in your arms & legs when landing.

[@escay]

And Ben explains at 7:20 that the pop skill only has 1 situation where it could be useful, but the push should be the default. Mixing push and pop in lessons would be difficult and confusing for students, as push needs to be learned as second nature first. I would follow Ben and advise push technique only. Just like Jeff Lenosky also states as most common mistakes: using pops, item 3 at 3min49 in kzbin.info/www/bejne/d53EkGaefaqSqrc

[@Jacksquatch69]

Good video, I have never had the case of the nosedives. I have the opposite problem. Every once in awhile I land too much back wheel first and SLAM the front down and have wadded it up good.

[@yavorapostolov2979]

Pure Entertainment and a lots of knowladge. Thanks a lot!

[@moscownoir8834]

Best MTB technical series ever!

[@MateuszPlewicki]

Simply brilliant!! Love the vibe as well!

[@SamGalbraith]

Great explanations, great delivery - cheers Ben!

[@AndrewUnruh]

Really appreciate the physics-based instruction!

[@fademasterfade227]

I wish this how-to series was available when I started riding. I still have lots of learning to do though - thanks.

[@andybucher452]

Great explanations Ben. i always struggle when explaining this to people. Now i'll just suggest they watch this. Cheers mate

[@DavidLaburglier]

Very good drop vid - right up there with the Kyle & April drop vid that really unlocked it for me. Kyle arrives at the exact same technique, but I appreciate you getting us there by explaining the other techniques and at what point they fall apart.

[@aidantalsma188]

When you were explaining the proper technique I was thinking "Oh, so it's like pumping a roller, but instead of pushing down you push forward" Then you went right on to say exactly that. I'm proud of myself for understanding something from one of your vids

[@PatLamont-fw8sf]

Really enjoyed your delivery and humour. Cheers.

[@humberty]

Ben, you are the Brian Cox of the mtb universe

[@Underpantz]

Another great vid with Ben. I appreciate these really detailed explanations. A lot of “how to”s on YT be like “Just do the Right thingy at the Right time. Easy”

[@bigwave7207]

Thanks Ben! All these tips were so helpful. I have been working on drops for years, always doing one of these three techniques without really having enough knowledge about which one was best, so drops always felt awkward. The day after I watched this video, on that next ride, it finally clicked. This video has put my biking to a slightly higher level, since I finally have a knowledge framework for this approach to drops, if that makes sense. Looking forward to your next video!!

[@alteredshape7611]

Fantastic info vlog..got to love Bens way of teaching...makes it funny and that with me makes me remember

[@arsenioberruga8678]

Easily the best videos of pinkbike

[@hoopermumble5500]

An amazing channel I have learned so much from these guys and girls love them! They helped me pick out my bike as well the Giant Trance X1 and I love it!!

[@davemerchant8788]

This is brilliant, thanks Ben - up until now I've no idea what I've been doing - now I know what I should be doing. Time to progress 😬👍

[@johnnyboi966]

I'd define a drop as a feature where you get airtime naturally off of a flat takeoff, which is either level or pitched downwards. Your elevation in the air only decreases. Jumps generally have curved lips, but can have flat take-offs if they are pitched upwards (e.g boner logs). The major differentiator between a step-down and a drop is gaining elevation in the air before you lose it. You could also differentiate on the technique needed, e.g if preloading is required to get air safely.

[@shemshem9998]

even simpeler, just from what you said, a obstacle where you decrease in hight and at no moment after living the gound gain elevation. cuz u can still have drops that are just angled upwards but not really canons yet.

[@siobhanmillea3872]

Hilarious but so informative and good… love this guy for learning!!🔥🔥

[@davee1884]

Another great video. I really like the presentation style: the way you talk through and demonstrate many of the poor techniques. More please!

[@alanmartinezrodriguez884]

Cycling physicists loving this video 😂

[@FirestormAA]

Extremely useful guide..... thanks mate!

[@ThePattersonrr]

One of the best explanations, well done mate!

[@Caden_Diehl]

So much more helpful then the other drop tutorials on you tube

[@hotrodanimal2733]

Thanks for droppin that knowledge on us

[@19biddly97]

This series is the best.

[@jasonprfrost1]

Brilliant Ben I'm off to push now ! That was great will actually transform my riding

[@didaxisjose]

Thanks for your time bro, not downhill guy but i allways enjoy some drops and feels good to have something to practice well and we never know when the downhill bike its coming 😂😂

[@phsharpy]

This is seriously good teaching, thanks