Shallow vs. steep jumps

Hey Lee.
I’m trying to learn to jump. Some jumps are just hard to figure out.
E.G. One wide jump that has two different jump face. One side has a shallow take off. Right next to it is a steeper take off. I have no problem on the shallow take off. I have problems on the steeper take off. My FS bike seems to lose a lot of energy on the steeper side. Is the technique different for various types of jumps?
Jimmy

Yeah Jimmy, you are stumbling into some cool stuff!

Basic jumping technique on a basic jump.

I’m working on an ebook about building and riding jumps, but briefly:

The core technique is the same for all jumps. Stay balanced in your pedals. Load into the face of the jump. Unload as you reach the end of the lip. Stay loose and balanced in the air. Extend into the landing. Absorb any impact.

Shallow jumps are indeed easier than steep ones:

1. Shallow jumps send you on a flatter trajectory, which means your bike stays pretty level. You can just kind of hang on dead sailor style and still survive. Steep jumps send your bike on a steeper arc. They force you to be loose and balanced.

2. Steep jumps change your bike’s direction much more abruptly. The steep jump generates greater downforce into the lip — and much more “pop” when you take off. This greater downforce compresses your suspension quite a bit. If you’re static on your bike, your suspension either absorbs that energy or bucks you into oblivion. Sounds like you’ve been lucky.

This applies to all jumps, and especially steep ones:

If you have suspension, purposefully try to bottom your bike into the lip. Really cram it in there, like you’re trying to get max lift off a diving board. Time your compression with the full length of the lip. This gives you more control and more pop.

Have fun, and take it one step at a time.

— Lee

Also read:

Jumping: Big rider with suspension

Pumping with suspension

Controlling mid-air rotation