WHY YOU SUCK AT DROPS | HOW TO DO DROPS ON YOUR BIKE

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How to #3,
Last video we touched on wheelies, and the previous progression was manuals which are a great way to show off for your friends!
Drops can be tricky to learn but a lot of fun once you have them mastered!
This video series was created for riders who have a basic understanding of how to do certain moves but just can't seem to break through to the next level. In this series I highlight some of the mistakes I've see riders making when they struggle to perfect certain technique.
If you like this video please consider subscribing!
#howtododropsonyourbike
#howtoMTB
#mtb

[@Cinnabuns2009]

Not knowing you personally, Jeff, I saw you the other day hard at work on a trail, sweating your ass off, mixing concrete pouring footers in the middle of the humid woods. Have to say, my opinion of you has gone up considerably. You don't just talk the talk and we sincerely appreciate all your help! Also, the few drops on the trail you're working on, its gonna take these tips to get me through them, thank you!

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

Wait... what WAS your opinion? LOL. I love the mountain bike community so I'm always willing to help out however I can. I appreciate that a lot and look forward to riding with you at the grand opening.

[@sripavanv]

Probably the ONLY video that actually explains that shifting your hips back can be done either via 1) pushing bike forward or 2)shifting weight back. To me option 2 makes sense in mind. Most videos say one way or other . While as Jeff said both accomplish the same result.

[@David-rb3tk]

Love seeing the hard tail, Jeff.

[@METEORA_47]

yeahhh bcs im a hardtail lover also....send it!🔥

[@jimmeridda]

Simple straightforward tutorial. Nice.

[@jpalcouffe7515]

This was great, thank you.

[@bsh819]

Wow. This was way more helpful than everything else I've seen/read on dropping. Nice job keeping it simple.

[@colindixon9543]

Thanks Jeff I will keep practicing.

[@ductdang]

Jeff you got skills dude! No wonder so many want to learn from you. Kudos!

[@mtbville]

Great video man 😃💪

[@RRMMTB]

Another awesome tutorial video! Briar Chapel Skills Park is great fun too!

[@derekgreenwood396]

Sweet heavens Jeff, that clip 3secs in must have watched it like 9 times, was like you poor poor sod, Proper Launched. Just getting into biking since not doing since a kid, loving your channel dude, thank you, top-notch stuff

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

Awesome. Thanks for checking it out

[@TruckHouseLife]

Great advice dude, you explained it so much better than any other video I've seen on the subject, keep it up!

[@kevindi]

Awesome video on an important subject!! I had a OTB crash in Moab at Outerbike 2 years ago on a small technical drop, on day one. On day two, I was lucky enough to ride with your group and you showed us some of this. I leaned a lot, and this video really reinforces those skills and techniques. Thanks!! You’re the Boss!

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

Thanks! Hope to ride with you again soon.

[@BikeLifewithRob]

Nice! I like to follow someone to get the speed right too.

[@michaelfredrickson4325]

Thank you...

[@BobDaGawd]

I love this video! Every time I see GMBN post a drop video the first thing they say is do a manual. I’m like nahhhhhh the TrailBoss doesn’t do it like that lmao. I’ve been riding a year and I’m already doing the biggest drops in the bike park..watched a crap ton of your videos for tips too haha! You’re the man JL!

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

Awesome!!

[@Crypt0Crossf1re]

what you are laying down makes #total sense! I know this, but you saying it out loud what I've learned on my bike just through #XP! This is a total sick video, man! I'm not even done watching it and and love the #information #imparted to the #viewer! This is #awesome great tips! Y'all #novice's(?) listen up this is what's up! #Peace! #SendIt #FullSEND!

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

thanks!

[@pinoyurbantactical3374]

My go to channel to learn mtb technique works all the time,im always scared doing drops but now with all your help its like a reflex thank you Trail Boss!😀👍👍🍺

[@syovol]

See Ben Cathro, another level school

[@luisgabrieltrujillocespede3249]

Greetings from Chile you make very good videos

[@bilalahmedasmall6]

I'm ready to shred the trail 180 here I come

[@petedog9581]

Great info. Keep it simple. JKW manuals off drops just for giggles. lol

[@blueeyedbiker681]

We gonna practice soon @GBP!!!

[@zo-moto]

I've known Jeff Lenosky since drop in TV days man 🤟😎👌

[@britishbassbikes]

Jeff-truly great and straight to the point info. LOVE your presentation. I do have a question: Are you doing any in person coaching sessions?

[@FoCoFlowShow]

Solid tips - everything you mention is exactly how I approach drops (I’m not on your level of course but 10 - 12ft drops are in my skill set). The only thing I’d add is to make sure newer rides start SMALL and get the technique DIALED and slowly progress to bigger drops… the technician is the same - you just have to adjust for speed and timing

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

Great additional tips! Thanks for checking it out.

[@Legacy40k]

Progression has been my issue. It’s hard to find drops between 8” and 36”

[@awdwadawda352]

Do these techniques differ on hardtails to fully's? And doing higher drops on hardtails, what to watch out for? Much appreciated for all the effort you put into these videos by the way!

[@jerrydufresne1886]

subscribed!

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

Thank you!!!!!!

[@dhiraj_77]

man the bike snap

[@david_onthetrail]

Where I ride the trails are not as manicured as those in your video, we have roots and rocks and all sorts of jank to ride on. I struggle with timing as everything comes up so quick and the consequences for failed landings is real. I too am no longer in my prime and have had a few scary trips to emerg, ruptured spleen, dislocated shoulder, and at 57 years young I still ride hard but chicken out on drops when the landing isn't pristine.

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

Hey David this video series was intended to be short videos for people with a general understanding but just some bad habits. It’s not very comprehensive so check out my channel I have two very popular “how to drop” videos that will totally help you out. The older one has more views but I believe the newer one is much better. Let me know what you think!

[@Paul-oe9sy]

On drops i ride medium speed, let my front tire go off the edge as I extend my arms and suck-in/absorb my pedals. seems to be working. learned at whistler bike park on a trail called Wednesday Night Delight which is a perfect learning progression with 5 drops from a few inches to a few feet high.

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

That sounds great!

[@alvinowino536]

I'm learning and I believe that I'm soon almost

[@vijayanchomatil8413]

Thank you for doing your drops on a Hardtail.

[@TheButlerNZ]

40 mumble years riding bikes and I only just started doing drops on my MTB during Covid... (Hmmm actually I remember bending my Raleigh Chopper from doing 3' drops onto the local beach 40 years ago... Guess I learned a bad lesson back then. Gimmee a throttle and and my ol YZ250 and a 1m drop off at 30kph+ was nothing... )

[@user-yq2tq5eo4u]

1m drop is nothing... even with full rigid

[@TheButlerNZ]

@@user-yq2tq5eo4u used to be... so were u born in the 60's like me? 1m drops start being a thing when you can no longer bounce of the ground, dust it off and roll on. I don't do jumps on the MTB... 50ft on a bike with a throttle & 12" travel ok... unpowered over 5ft is just messin with my head at the mo.

[@tshhater]

Can you do a "how to drop off a picnic table"... Or something like that.

[@BCpov]

Do you have an opinion on the Rich Drew method? Might make an interesting video 🙂

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

At first I thought ot was totally stupid but then I taught someone from the complete basics and it actually worked quite well for them. I think for some drops its definitely not the worst way to teach but in a video it is hard to touch on all the nuance.

[@nancyremastered2867]

Drop like a bossss

[@stephenbarradell4043]

Hoping drops is the best. Pre hop even better.

[@dundundata7603]

I like to think of myself as more of a trail per diem employee.

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

Lol

[@stevencole7331]

I ran into a drop/posible jump on my local trail maybe a couple feet tall that has a slightly raised lip to it . It's a natural rock formation with a slight lip going up and I treated it as a jump which seemed out of sorts . Now the raised lip maybe 2 to 4 inches and is fairly steep . I am not sure i should go into it as a drop and have yet to try that as I think it may buck me .

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

Check out my Drop video from about a year ago on my channel. It covers a lot more ground. This series is pretty concise.

[@TheLettich17]

I successfully hit all the drops at our park but for some reason I still watch how to vids on drops because, well, I’m nervous every time.

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

I watch how to videos all the time. I thought I was the only one. Lol

[@Paulklampeeps]

Can you fo similar video on jumps?

[@graysquirreltreeservice7299]

Sweet tips this will save alot of people the otb faceplant 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@wpf312]

I see a few commenters afraid of crashing. Maybe a video on when and how to fall/bail/dab/save would be helpful.

[@journeyofmountainspirit4683]

All fine and dandy with bikepark, what about NATURAL drops on hiking and mountaineer trails?!

[@atlbike1251]

Thanks Jeff, I still suck at drops. I am tall like you and finding that proper balance point to pivot at the correct amount is proving to be quite a pain. Any pointers? To the commenter below, I'm old too, Cracked ribs heal, it just takes longer now.

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

Practice on something safe. That will allow you to dial in your technique. If you’re nervous you won’t experiment. Bad practice will only reinforce bad habits.

[@atlbike1251]

@@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss By the way I love watching your clips. It gives me an actual perspective on how much movement I will need to do on the bike. You just don't get that from 5'6" 140lb riders. Specially when you are a foot taller and twice their weight. Next winter when you are road tripping down here in Florida you should do some type of camp. I would definitely sign up for it.

[@sapinva]

Just think of it as pushing the bike ahead of you off the lip, the balance point takes care of itself. You are overthinking it.

[@atlbike1251]

@@sapinva Wow, that is the simplest way anyone has ever explained it to me. And yes I am definitely overthinking it. Thanks Brother I'll be trying it tomorrow when the rain stops.

[@ChromagMTB]

Seeing footage off the Cabin Drop makes me 😢... Do you know if Creek will replace it? It was my favorite feture.

[@DKRK279]

I would also add that if you have a dropper post (and the time) get the seat as low as you can so it’s out of your way.

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

Absolutely

[@akatz13]

what was the aftermath of that snapped frame?!

[@vanderlord1985]

My problem, dame S when I hit ramps, is I twist. I always land kinda at an angle and have to drop my foot to save balance. This typically causes a different imbalance and I fall off sideways. How do I stop myself from trusting off ramps and drops?

[@bouzouki2006]

Thanks for the vid, Jeff, but could you explain a "safe" technique for slow-speed drops. There are many occasions where drops must be taken at slow speed and that's where I suck (I failed a few ones and fell on my head -- not good). One of my riding buddies does a "pre-hop" just before the lip and he always succeed at doing drops, whatever the speed, but you're suggesting that's a no-no. So, can you explain how to manage drops when going slow (like less thant 10 kph)?

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

I’ll try to explain it the best I can verbally. Think of it this way when do you stand centered on your petals you probably have 40% of the weight on your front tire and 60% on your rear tire as soon as your front tire starts to leave a drop it begins to fall. We can prevent it from falling too bad a few different ways. First in speed the quicker your rear tire comes off the drop after your front tire the last time your front tire will have to drop that is why when you’re going bad it requires such a little movement. Another way is with a slight reload before the drop that makes you lighter as you leave the drop so you’re not pressing down on your front tire as hard and therefore it doesn’t fall as fast. The third way is getting your way over or behind the rear axle which you can do by accelerating your bike forward we’re shifting your weight back. When you are doing a slow speed drop the only thing that can really help your rear wheel leave the drop quicker is figuring out how to accelerate your bike. I do this by lightly shifting my body forward towards the handlebars so I can get some band in my elbows and then as my front wheel leaves the lip I can’t push my bike forward and get about to feet Of bike travel just by shifting my bike from a weight orward to Weight backwards position. If you check out my Instagram one of the last videos I posted was a real deep rock state to drop off and you can kind of see what I’m talking about as it is a similar technique crunch up to the bars and then push the bike/fast. I just use voice to text for the entire exclamation so it probably makes no sense and I think you might have pointed out another video I need to make so please subscribe!

[@bouzouki2006]

@@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss Many thanks, Jeff! Keep up the good work, love your vids and energy! :)

[@Legacy40k]

Great video. Here's my question: I've been watching all the UCI World cup XCO this year, and I've noticed that the racers consistently land front wheel first off drops. Why is this, and why is it okay for them?

[@mrvwbug4423]

They're probably just rolling off the drops with speed. Also their riding position may be quite different as they are going to be hanging out off the back of the bike a lot as many of them don't run droppers. Also XC bikes usually have a lot beefier suspension up front so may want to take more of the drop on the front vs the rear, especially if they're on a hardtail.

[@Legacy40k]

@@mrvwbug4423 With or without a dropper you hang off the back though.

[@jimbo4203]

You said it , they are pros . I land on my front wheel a lot and never really thought about it. But they are trying to get back on the ground as fast as possible because they're losing speed with to much air time

[@gentasepriandi999]

Do you need to add more psi for bigger drop? Since i weighs a lot. Thank you in advance, nice explanation btw.

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

If your sag is set properly you shouldn't need to adjust that. If you blow though your travel if your sag is right you might need volume spacers or you can try adjusting high speed compression.

[@gentasepriandi999]

@@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss geez never thought of volume spacer...thank you..

[@manysaints]

It went together easily in less than an hour. kzbin.infoUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Make sure the front fork is forward or the pedals will hit the front tire. Tires are both a little soft so it needs air before I ride it. The rear wheel didn't come with a clamp regular bolts hold it on. The front had the clamp. No scratches out of box. Rims are a little off with a slight wobble. They could have spent more time with the spoke tool fixing the run out. So far out of the box I'm happy with it. I did replace the pedals with a nice aftermarket set. After riding it a bit my A$$ is a bit sore so I ordered another seat. Overall I'm nearly 60 and didn't ride a bike in 30 years. I like my new 29" Schwinn. It will be used for casual rides with my friend.

[@arturosanchez2306]

👍👏👏👏👏

[@billyjoesmo8251]

I'm guilty of number 3 hopping but I'm using a BMX 20in could that be different?

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

Not really. Try to find a drop that’s low so low risk and practice dialing your timing to do a similar motion with less effort and do it later. Instead of jumping and coming down towards the end try to slightly rise up.

[@mrvwbug4423]

The manual drop must be a euro thing, GMBN still promotes it, no matter how many other riding coaches tell them it's wrong for most drops.

[@powertapping]

I ride enduro and find it hard to go off drops when the trail is steep and speed is hard to control and the landing is steep. Any suggestions?

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

when the take off is pointed downhill you need to preload and lift, I cover that in the How to Drop video on my channel, it's about a year old. When the landing is steep you have to be more precise in the drop because any extra distance results in a much further drop!

[@charlesgustafson5014]

So clipped in I normally don’t think twice about drops, but I’ve been riding flats more lately and am struggling to keep my feet on the pedals when the drop in anything more than 12-16”. Thoughts, anyone?

[@jimbo4203]

Practice, rode clipped in for 15 years. Been on flats for the last ten . Just keep doing it my feet just know where to go now i guess

[@TheButlerNZ]

I've never run clips (unless you count the straps on my ol warehouse steel hardtail... so... your feet are coming off on a 1' drop... could it be that while clipped in, you're lifting the bike off the lip with your feet.. now on flats your still doing that.. but the bike is no longer compelled to follow... Hard tail or full sus?... Perhaps find a 1'' drop that is an easy roll over... now try a mid paced roll off and only preload the front... just before the lip... don't lift.. just let the unload of the front do the work... How's your dampening on your rear.. if you run on flat and do a mid balanced preload (hard down, no following bunny hop lift) do you bounce off the pedals then? Roots are just fun (you can read that as sarcastically as you like).... One of my favourite tracks is in a damp valley with a near black trail in (rated black but really a dark blue with a couple of nasties depending on the entry track... The roots can be off putting but if there's enough gap I treat them a bit like a drop (even the uphill ones) where I push the bike out ahead of me, over the root, then let my body catch back under brakes on the other side... (See my mediocre vid of my fav "Deliverance".. though you may have difficulty getting to ride it.. It's in Wellington New Zealand... q8) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYazhoSDj9SLsJI&ab_channel=TheButler Bout mid way is the rooty valley floor...

[@peterpizzutelli]

On bigger drops my feet always float off the pedals. How do I correct this?

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

You can try scooping back with your back foot a little to keep pressure on that pedal.

[@alexanderwademd]

@@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss I would insert the words "drop your heels" somewhere in there in case scooping back doesn't quite explain it adequately.

[@halnogaies1256]

You said "medium speed". Is that like a brisk walk?

[@utharkruna1116]

I too scared to try drops as I'm old and can do without broken bones.

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

Start small!

[@jimbo4203]

Im 59 and still like drops , once learned, you can drop off all kind of stuff . Curbs , sidewalks , landscape timbers all good places to start or just play on

[@rabrumf]

It is free to subscribe. So, price isn't a hurdle.

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

Price is right

[@atlbike1251]

And after you hit subscribe, don't forget to thumbs up this video...

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

That too

[@MTBGarage]

BUT I LIKE HOPPING OFF DROPS! Come at me bro! lol, just kidding.

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

Lol

[@syovol]

NOT SECURE, NOT CORRECT TECNIQUE FOR DROPS. see Ben Cathro😉

[@jeffhayes1855]

Watched twice.

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

thank you!

[@lenitrash_kuh1114]

And how it‘s right to drop in ? 🤷🏼

[@bhbikesleo9591]

my biggest drop is 2.80 m I am 11 yr old

[@urbanmtb3984]

Not long enough

[@YanDoroshenko]

The most important mistake is trying to do shit you're not comfortable with. I've already lost a year of riding and then there's plate removal and another half a year of recovery. Don't be a fucking idiot, walk away to ride another day.

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

That's a great tip!