How to bunny hop mountain bike? Bunny hopping is an essential skill for mountain biking, but it can be tricky to learn.
Even if you’re a beginner, you don’t want to be left behind when everyone else is bunny hopping their way down the trail.
Our how to bunny hop mountain bike guide by Josh Quigley will show you everything you need to know about this essential skill. We’ll teach you how to pick the right time and place to bunny hop, how to use your body and bike to get maximum air, and how to land safely.
How to bunny hop a mountain bike
Guide to bunny hop a mountain bike
Position Yourself to Bunny Hop
- Lean slightly forward with your arms bent and shoulders relaxed
- Keep a light grip on the handlebars
- Make sure you have enough speed to lift both wheels off the ground
Master the pumped manual first
The first thing to master is the pumped manual. To do this, push down on the handlebars and pull up on the back end of the bike at the same time. This will create a bouncing motion that will help you generate more height when bunny hopping.
Stand tall in the air
As the front comes up, stand tall on the pedals to generate more power and height. This also helps with balancing in mid-air.
Throw the handlebars forwards
As the front wheel reaches full height, throw the handlebars forward to lift the back wheel off the ground.
Scoop upwards with your feet
You can scoop upwards with your feet (toes down, push back into the feet and sweep them up towards your backside), to generate more height and control.
Control which wheel lands first
Experiment with all of these things and see if you can control which wheel lands first. This allows you to easily clear obstacles or land on narrow objects such as logs and rocks.
This is a technique known as pre-jumping, where you anticipate the obstacle and pre-load the bike before actually jumping off of it.
Some basic techniques of Bunny Hop
Front Wheel Lift
Getting the front wheel up takes a similar technique to a manual. Push down on the handlebars and pull up on the back end of the bike at the same time to generate a bouncing motion.
Stand tall in the air as the front wheel comes up, throwing the bars forward to lift the back wheel off the ground.
Scoop upwards with your feet for added height and control.
Back Wheel Lift
To lift just the back wheel, use a pumping motion similar to a manual. Push down and pull up on the handlebars while also pushing down on one pedal and pulling up on the other (alternating between pedals) to generate a bouncing motion.
Throw your weight forward as you lift, using your arms and legs to propel yourself upward. Scooping with your feet can also generate more height.
Hopping Upward
This technique involves lifting both wheels off the ground upwards, instead of straight forward like in a bunny hop. To do this, push down on both pedals while simultaneously pushing upward on the handlebars. Keep your weight balanced and focus on how to land smoothly with bent arms and legs. This can help with clearing obstacles or getting over small drops.
Other mountain bike hops
The speed hop
This technique is similar to the bunny hop, but instead of lifting both wheels at the same time, you lift one wheel at a time. To do this, push down on one pedal as you lift the opposite wheel off the ground. This can help with clearing smaller obstacles or getting over small drops. Practice how to land smoothly, using bent arms and legs to absorb impact.
Side hops
This technique involves lifting both wheels off the ground to the side, instead of straight forward like in a bunny hop. To do this, push down on one pedal while simultaneously pushing the handlebars away from that foot. Keep your weight balanced and focus on how to land smoothly with bent arms and legs. This can help with clearing obstacles or avoiding obstacles to the side.
Next, we will have a look at some tips for doing bunny hop.
Tips for doing bunny hop
Your foot position
Make sure your feet are in the correct position on the pedals. Pointing your toes slightly inward can give you more power and control.
Enhance the flexibility of your ankle
Improving your ankle flexibility can also improve your bunny hopping abilities. Stretching and practicing with a low seat can help with this.
Your stance should be solid
Make sure your stance is solid and balanced before attempting a bunny hop. Keep your weight centered over the bike and be prepared to absorb impact upon landing.
Hook the thumb under the hanlebars
Some riders find it helpful to hook their thumb under the handlebars for added control and stability. Experiment with how this feels for you and how it can improve your bunny hopping abilities.
F.A.Q how to bunny hop mountain bike
How do you bunny hop on a mountain bike for beginners?
Start by practicing how to lift each wheel individually, then work on lifting both wheels at the same time. Practice with a low seat and stretching to improve flexibility. Focus on how to land smoothly, keeping your weight balanced and absorbing impact with bent arms and legs.
How do you increase a rabbit hop on a mountain bike?
Practice and repetition will improve your bunny hopping abilities. Additionally, improving ankle flexibility and finding a solid stance can also help with increasing your height and control when bunny hopping. Experiment with thumb hooking for added stability.
How do you bunny hop on a mountain bike flat pedal?
You can bunny hop on flat pedals just as you would with clipped in pedals. Make sure your feet are in a secure position on the pedals and focus on how to land smoothly, absorbing impact with bent arms and legs.
How do you do a bunny hop on a hardtail?
The technique for how to bunny hop on a hardtail is the same as how to bunny hop on any mountain bike. Practice and repetition can improve your abilities, in addition to focusing on a solid stance and how to land smoothly. Experiment with techniques such as thumb hooking for added stability.
Conclusion
Learning how to bunny hop mountain bike can help you traverse over obstacles on the trail with greater ease. By following these simple steps, you should be able to get started hopping your way to success in no time. If you’re looking for more tips and tricks, or want to purchase a quality mountain bike that will make learning easier, head over to our website bigbuddybike.com today. We have everything you need to hit the trails with confidence and style!
