Dirt jumping

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A biker performing a dirt jump Dirt jump IMG 7609.jpg
A biker performing a dirt jump
Dirt jump biking at Beech Mountain, viewed from a chairlift (in slow-motion).

Dirt jumping is the practice of riding bikes over jumps made of dirt or soil and becoming airborne. Dirt Jumping evolved alongside BMX racing and is similar to BMX or mountain bike racing in that the rider jumps off of mounds of dirt, usually performing a midair trick in between. [1] It differs in that the jumps are usually much larger and designed to lift the rider higher into the air. Additionally, the goal is not to complete the course with the fastest time, but rather to perform the tricks with the style. Dirt jumping can be performed on BMX bikes or specialized mountain bikes known simply as "dirt jumpers".

Contents

Dirt jumping bikes

A typical dirt jump-mountain bike. Dirtbike on sylt.jpg
A typical dirt jump-mountain bike.

Dirt jumping uses a specific kind of bike. BMX, for instance, has a range of bikes built for this activity. One of its key differences from general purpose bikes is the fit. There is only one standard BMX dirt jumping bike frame, which is meant to fit all riders, young and old. [2] These bicycles tend to have a longer top tube than a street BMX bike and are often more robustly built to withstand the poundings from the jumps. [1] They will rarely have pegs fitted. Traditionally, DJ (dirt jump) bikes ran only a rear v-brake but disc brakes are becoming more common. DJ tires are treaded - the heaviest treads of all the BMX bikes [1] - as opposed to the slicks and semi-slicks used for park riding. The wheel size is mostly 26-inch.

Some riders prefer large, padded seats for in-flight tricks while others do not find seat size an issue. The gear ratio is generally around 44:16, 36:13, 33:12, and 30:11, although using smaller gear ratios such as 25:9, also known as 'micro gearing', has become popular.

There is also the so-called hybrid BMX/Jump bike, which is a scaled-up BMX with 24-inch wheels. Strong alloy rims and a lightweight frame. Suited to bigger jumps or more challenging competition courses. Other types of dirt jumping bikes include:

A mountain bike built for dirt jumping tends to have a smaller frame than what is used for other disciplines. Running singlespeed with one brake is very common. using single or dual disc brakes has replaced the use of only one rear V-brake. In general, a mountain bike dedicated to dirt jumping will have 24- or 26-inch wheels, a gear ratio of approximately 60 gear inches (~36:15 on a 24-inch rear wheel or ~36:16 on a 26-inch rear wheel) and rigid or 80-100mm travel forks. An 'all-round' bike used for dirt jumping will more likely have 26-inch wheels, a 25-36 tooth chainring with a wide-ratio cassette and a short- to mid-travel fork. Mountain bike dirt jumpers are usually split on the basis of wheel size because the wheel size dictates the shape of the takeoff to an extent.

A 20-inch BMX bike for dirt generally has a 48-spoke rear rim and a 36-spoke front to prevent rim collapse in the case of casing a jump. The frame is a little bit longer to aid in stability and to spread the load of heavy lands. Most of these "micro geared" bikes run 85 to 100 psi tires, and tires are usually threaded and made with kevlar bead to prevent pressure flats and tears.

Types of jumps

A freshly built small double at the overlook trails in New Jersey. Overlook double.jpg
A freshly built small double at the overlook trails in New Jersey.
Shells Dirt Jumps at Foster City, California NorCal2018 060c Shells Dirt Jumps at the Beach Park, Foster City S0174019.jpg
Shells Dirt Jumps at Foster City, California

Types of Acrobatics

NameDescription
Tsunami FlipWhile in the air, the bike is flipped behind the rider initially, with the rider remaining stationary, the rider then tucks backwards, rotating 360° onto the pedals.
Tire grabWhile in the air, the rider grabs his/hers front tire
TabletopWhile in the air tipping the bike on its side to a 90° angle or further.
Euro TableSometimes called a Dark side, a euro table is when you turn your handlebars downwards instead of upwards as you would in a table.
InvertEssentially a table, but over extended. Possibly enough for the front tire or fork to rub on your shoulder.
UnturndownSimilar to an Invert, but the riders legs remain straight and the seat tend to wrap around the riders outside leg.
WhipKeeping the front of your bike straight while flicking the back to one side. There are many different styles of whips, each depending on the style of the rider.
ETPedaling forwards, one full rotation in the air
Autistic AirET and do a 2-star at the same time.
CannonballTaking both feet off the pedals and grabbing the seat with both hands
Tuck No HanderBoth hands off the handlebars with your legs pinching top tube and your bars in your lap.
Suicide No handerHands behind back while in the air with legs pinching seat.
TobogganOne hand off handlebars touching the seat or top tube, one hand turning bars 90°. Tilt front down for extra style. Invented by Jeff Tabacchi (BMX Action Cover 1987)
No footerBoth feet off pedals.
One foot canOne foot taken off and put over top tube to the other side of bike
No-footed Can-canSimilar to one foot can except done on both sides so that both legs are together, off the pedals and on the same side of the top tube
Nac-NacSimilar to the One foot can, except your leg goes behind your other one still on the pedal, instead of in front.
BackflipRotating bike and rider completely upside down & continuing to rotate 360° of vertical rotation until facing original angle/direction. Can also be performed twice (while still in the air) to make a double back flip.
360Rotating the bike and rider completely round 360° horizontally until facing original direction.
Front flipInverse of a back flip
X-upTurning the bars 180° or further without releasing the handle bars to make the riders arms form an X shape
BarspinUsing one hand to guide the handlebar around one full rotation (360 Degrees).
Tail WhipKicking the bike while holding the handlebars so that the frame makes a 360 degree rotation while the rider does not rotate
TurndownSimilar to an x-up but the entire body turns with the bars and the bike frame is as vertical as possible. Variation on the "cross-up" which incorporates elements of both the "Table" and X-up.
SupermanTaking both feet off the pedals and extending them outwards to resemble Superman in flight.
A "superman" VTT-Dirt.jpg
A "superman"
Superman SeatgrabA standard superman but with one hand on the seat rather than the handlebars. [5]
NothingNothing is touching the bike, neither hands nor feet, hence the name.
SuperflipSuperman while backflipping.
2-StarForming a semi-star with one hand, and one foot (Usually opposites)
3-StarOnly one hand touches the handlebars, so the extended arm and legs form a star.
DanglerOnly one foot on one pedal with both hands taken off the bars, a variation of the "3-star"
MaysWhen in mid-Air the universal audio symbol is made with the hands and feet.
Backflip Tailwhip (Flipwhip)As the name suggests, doing a tailwhip whilst upside down (halfway through) a backflip.
FlairInvented by Mat Hoffman, more commonly a bmx trick, this can also be done on a mountain bike. It involves getting substantial air off a vert ramp, then doing a backflip and 180 so that you roll down the ramp going back the way you came.
Truck DriverDoing a 360 and barspin combination, when the bars spin in the opposite direction of the 360.
DecadeLike a barspin, but person wraps around with the bars in a 360° position while tail stays straight.
Orbital 360Like a regular 360, but the rider dips the front of the bike down so that both the rider and the bike are vertical during the rotation, the end of the rotation generally feels and looks a bit like a backflip.
California RollInvented by Mike Montgomery, this is where the rider does a 360 around his bike, it is similar to a body varial however the rider does not touch the bike during the rotation.
Cliff Hanger BackflipInvented by Mike Montgomery, this is where the rider does a no hander but holds on the handlebars with their feet, while in a rotation of a backflip.
Flip Double whipInvented by Greg Watts, this is where the rider does a back flip and two tail whips whilst in the air .
Truck Driver TailwhipInvented by Martin Soderstrom, this is where the rider does a Truck Driver and a tailwhip, which is when the rider does a 360 barspin to tailwhip.
360 Downside TailwhipInvented by Tyler Mccaul, this is where the rider does a 360 and a tailwhip in the opposite direction.
Special FlipInvented by "Special" Greg Powell from Nitro Circus. This is where the rider performs a backflip while the bike stays flat.
CashrollConsists of doing a 180 into a corked backflip, into another 180 in the same rotation.

See also

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References

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  2. Riedy, Mark (2006). Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team: Teach Your Kid How to Ride a Bike . New York: Rodale. pp.  46. ISBN   9781594863981.
  3. "Sam Pilgrim: 10 things no-one tells you before you become addicted ." Telegraph. Telegraph. June 2017.
  4. "Dirt Jumping at 44: Is It Too Late to Get Rad?". Bicycling com. 4 October 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  5. Parland, J.P (April 5, 2003). Mountain Bike Madness. MVP Books. p. 96. ISBN   0760314403.