When it comes to mountain biking, jumping is one of the most thrilling skills to master. Whether you’re hitting small rollers or clearing big gaps, the rush of catching air and landing smoothly is something that many riders aspire to. But, like many riders, you might be wondering: Do you need to learn how to bunny hop before jumping, or can you just practice jumps directly?

The answer? While bunny hopping isn’t absolutely necessary for all types of jumping, learning how to bunny hop properly can significantly improve your control, confidence, and overall technique when hitting jumps.

The Role of Bunny Hopping in Jumping

Bunny hopping is a fundamental skill in mountain biking, where the rider lifts both wheels off the ground in a smooth, controlled motion. It’s primarily used for clearing obstacles like rocks, logs, or curbs, but it also plays a crucial role when it comes to jumping.

Jumping on a mountain bike, especially dirt jumps, is not just about being airborne. The key to clearing a jump successfully lies in the technique and control you have when approaching the lip (the take-off) and when you’re in the air. Learning how to bunny hop helps riders perfect this technique by teaching them how to lift both the front and rear wheels at the same time, ensuring the bike stays level and controlled while airborne.

While it’s true that some riders can clear jumps without knowing how to bunny hop, those who have mastered the skill often find themselves with more control in the air and better accuracy when landing. Essentially, a good bunny hop can make jumping more predictable and safer, especially when attempting larger or steeper jumps.

Why Learning to Bunny Hop Helps with Jumping

Bunny hopping helps improve the way you handle the bike while in the air. Even if the jump you’re attempting doesn’t require a full hop, understanding how to hop properly gives you the foundation to control your bike’s movement. Here are a few ways bunny hopping can help with jumping:

1. Improved Control: Bunny hopping teaches you to lift your bike off the ground in a controlled manner, which translates directly into jump technique. When you understand how to manipulate your bike’s movement, you’ll be better at correcting mistakes while airborne.
2. Steeper Lips: If you’re jumping a jump with a steeper lip, the motion required to properly clear it is very similar to that of a bunny hop. Learning to bunny hop will give you the confidence and control needed to hit those steeper jumps without over-shooting or going off course.
3. Confidence: Once you know how to bunny hop, you’ll likely feel more confident in your ability to clear jumps, as bunny hopping teaches you how to react when things don’t go as planned. It’s easier to correct your form in mid-air if you have the basics of a bunny hop down.

Speed and Technique: What’s More Important?

While bunny hopping is a useful skill for jumping, it’s not the only thing that matters. Speed and timing are just as crucial to clearing a jump effectively. Riders often need to “pop” off the lip of a jump, which is a small upward movement that launches the bike into the air. The difference between a bunny hop and popping off a jump is subtle, but both actions require the rider to be in the right position, with the right amount of speed, and at the right time.

Popping, not necessarily a full bunny hop, is often enough to clear small to medium jumps. However, having a bunny hop in your skillset can make that popping technique more effective. By mastering the bunny hop, you’ll develop an intuitive understanding of how to use your body and bike to lift yourself off the ground, even when you’re not facing a typical bunny hop obstacle.

Should You Focus on Bunny Hopping Before Jumping?

If you’re new to jumping, it’s not essential to master the bunny hop first. Jumping itself is a skill that can be developed independently. Start with small jumps and practice timing your speed, line, and the pop off the lip. Focus on getting comfortable in the air, and work your way up to bigger jumps as you improve.

That said, learning the fundamentals of bunny hopping can make the learning process smoother and more controlled. Practice your bunny hop on flat ground or smaller features, then try applying those skills when you hit jumps. Once you get comfortable with both, jumping will become a lot easier.

Final Thoughts

In the end, jumping and bunny hopping are two distinct skills, but they’re deeply interconnected. While you can certainly jump without knowing how to bunny hop, learning the skill will give you more control and confidence on the bike. By mastering both bunny hopping and jumping techniques, riders can take their skills to the next level, allowing for smoother landings, more consistent jumps, and increased safety in the air. So, while it’s not a strict requirement, bunny hopping is a helpful and beneficial skill that will enhance your ability to jump with precision and style.

advertisement