How to Set Up Your Bike for Dirt Jumping

By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

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Dirt jumping has been around forever, but it is now one of the fastest forms of BMX riding. You need a no-fear attitude and a super-strong bike. Follow these steps to get your bike dialed in.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Step1
Start with a good jumping-specific frame. These usually have a long top tube and a reinforced head tube. They are designed to be super-strong. A longer frame helps keep the bike stable.
Step2
Use as many other jumping-specific components as possible.
Step3
Do a quick check of the frame and everything else on the bike to be sure that nothing is cracked, bent or broken.
Step4
Remove any reflectors, chain guards or kickstands.
Step5
Remove the axle pegs and your front brake if you're only going to dirt jump.
Step6
Position your handlebars so they're straight up and down or in line with the fork. You may be more comfortable with your bars a little more forward or back, but don't go too far in either direction. Some riders like to cut their handlebars' width to just a little wider than shoulder-width.
Step7
Remove your old grips if they're torn or if the handlebar is showing through. Bar end caps will help protect the end of the handlebar.
Step8
Choose a strong wheel set. Forty-eight spokes are a must. Try to find rims with double- or triple-wall construction and oversized axles (14mm).
Step9
Inflate your tires to the maximum air pressure.
Step10
Tighten all nuts and bolts to their specifications, including axle nuts, stem bolts, pedals, cranks, seat and seat post nuts, brakes, and headset.
Step11
Lubricate all moving parts, such as brake cables, brake pivot bolts and your chain.
Step12
Put the correct amount of tension on the chain so that it doesn't fall off when you're riding.
Step13
Choose platform pedals over caged pedals.
Step14
Use three-piece cranks instead of one-piece cranks.
Step15
Put a cushioned seat on your bike and adjust it to a height and angle that allow good mobility in front and in back.
Step16
File down any sharp edges on the bike, such as the edges of the stem or handlebars.

Tips & Warnings

  • Choose all the parts on your bike based on their strength. If you're going to be 20 feet in the air, a strong bike is more important than having matching colors.
  • If you want to do a lot of bar spin tricks, you may want to use a rear brake cable detangler. Otherwise, running a straight rear cable will work just fine.
  • Always make sure your spokes are tight and the wheels are straight.
  • If any part of the bike is creaking, check it out. It probably needs to be greased or tightened, or it may be cracked. A good bike is solid and silent.
  • Gearing preferences vary from person to person and depend on where you are riding. A 44- or 45-tooth sprocket in the front with a 16 in the rear is pretty common.
  • Most jumpers use 175mm long crank arms.
  • BMX dirt jumping is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.
  • Always wear a helmet!

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 Remember to always start small and get bigger as you get better at landing, and always try to have someone with you so that if you do fall off there is someone to call the ambulance!

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 If you're going for something big, and you get a lot of height but not enough distance on the bail, try and clear it onto the landing of your choice.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 7/18/2006 Ever over jump into another jump? Well, I can help you with that. Using your bike (mainly BMX), lift your front when you hit the jump, then at the top, lift your back, now your back will only come as high as your front went. Go low and you will not over clear it. And right as your back tire hits, pull up the front and clear the next one just like that.

Note: This tip will also work on single jumps, and on big jumps just lift more and lean forward. Hope this tip works.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 4/12/2008 Try not to land flat if you're jumping any higher than a metre. I suggest that you get a seat with oversized rails when you start to jump high, because when you land you should give in your legs and hit your fanny on the seat.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 6/30/2006 If you're upgrading a mountain bike, be sure to have strong forks with travel, preferably bigger that 100mm.

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eHow Article:  How to Set Up Your Bike for Dirt Jumping

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