Again, these are former racers that are instructors. They deal with making "foundational" skill more adaptable for beginner to intermediate riders, pushing progression safely, daily. The BMX / Trials rider that can bounce on their rear tire for 5 minutes, or the self proclaimed Sendy McSender semi-pro, trying to turn doubles into triples, might elect to use a different technique. We appreciate that you are looking out for most riders, so that they can do their best.
they literally overcomplicate a basic skill. its a SKILL not a procedure. try teaching someone how to put a golf ball in the hole. watch a video wonder why ball wont go in hole... well, it takes fkn practice.
Video should start at 7:35 Their method starts at 12:17 First bit is mostly disclaimers to be careful and safe and use your judgement because places you ride may be different.
Hey Drew. Thanks for continuing the conversation on drops. What I'm learning is drops are a continuum and it's not something most people can just learn by spending a couple minutes watching a video. It something requires thought and practice and reflection and someone to tell what you're actually doing. And you words are helping me get there.
also one thing very helpful on drops and jumps is to have a tow from someone that does that feature good ....its helped me on some big jumps that i didn't think i could do but did on first tow in i got from kid who shreds...
@therobdrew ghost riding a $5000 bike has to be my favorite part of this video. Oh, and Rich trying to hold back his laughter. Great instruction, per usual. Love having Rob in the mix.
It looks like you're going back as the bike pivots as you extend your arms. You aren't moving your body back as much as your arms extend down and slightly forward. This technique works well because you don't focus on moving back, your arms make the movement. I am with you, I'm so tired of hearing people say get back on the bike. Getting back is a reaction not an input.
I also feel like people can see the technique from two perspectives. You can see it coming from the perspective of the hips coming back/bike going forward. What I like about Rich's perspective is, it's focused on timing the creation of space in the arms to prepare for the landing. Creating space just happens to also move your center of gravity backward relative to the bikes. I feel like I'd rather be focused on my first contact rather than where my hips are relative to the bike.
Nice video guys. Obviously each drop man made or not is unique. Each drop needs to be analyzed accordingly. In this vid you focused on upper body and hips. Dont forget to mention the position of the forward and rear feet. What should you be doing with the pedals to secure your landing. I can imagine Too many fails happen with bad foot position. Total body experience 😂. Thanks for the coaching.
Around 10:00, you're talking about the "right speed" to approach a drop (and not hop before it). But in certain circumstances, you can't get to that ideal speed you need to just fly off a drop, like there's no run-in, or the drop is just after a turn, or whatever. So, in some cases, hopping at the lip of the drop CAN be useful, especially if you don't have the speed.
no doubt! there's a time and place for sure but if not timed or done perfect, the outcome is "no bueno" hence Rob and Rich's point about different drops and "if there's something in front of the drop"...
Rob adds so much to these videos. Definitely do more Rob! I think you should or could address more of how the technique changes based on speed. You said go the speed the drop requires but that's not often the circumstance ppl are in.
I’ve seen other videos on doing drops and to me yours makes the most sense. 56-year-old guy just trying to live through the features, have fun and to keep improving.
To me, theirs is the easiest to get wrong and send you over your bars and to the hospital. If you don't manipulate the bike early enough and you stay forward, you are done. It's counterintuitive and too easy to mess up. One of these yahoo landed way early on the front in this very video, if the drop had been 8 inches taller, he would have eaten dirt. Fck these guys, they are going to get people hurt. Just the fact that they can't take criticism and spend half the video talking sht is already too annoying for me to ever watch again.
I learn more on how to coach from these. Real important the kids I coach come back safe and I owe a lot to the TRS how tos! Rob’s “you got to see the fear in their eyes” is exactly my approach! Keep em coming!
You know why this was probably one of your best instructional videos? Because you gave equal time to explaining the WHY of your instructions, and how it effects the outcome as much as the HOW of the technique. This was probably motivated by you feeling that you had to defend the technique with the explanation of the why but the result is a fantastically clear, logical and consumable video. Mate, you are at your best when you feel you're on your backfoot defending and therefore you leave no point uncovered. Maybe something to consider for future vids or to re-shoot other technique vids. Looking forward to being in one of your San Diego clinics. Cheers!
I just took Rich's 2-day class, and it was taught with the same clarity, passion and humor shown in this video. I'm itching to go ride my bike and implement what I've learned from Rich (and in this video, Rob).
Bro, my brother and I just applied the techniques you implemented, feels so much better and natural...we've been doin it all wrong after all this time...TY Drew bros!!!
Love your videos. I started MTBing in my 40s. I never understood hanging over the saddle on a drop... no weight on the front. Then I saw your video on drop offs and it made perfect sense to me and I've been using your method successfully ever since. Many thanks from Ireland ..
Very helpful video at last! All the rest of the riders that post videos about jumping leave it a bit confusing and you’ve made it all clear. Thank you so much!!
Tnx guys I saw all three videos now about drops and they really taught me the basics to do drops and also gave me the confidence to ride bigger drops without putting myself into danger more than needed. I think you saved me from braking a collar bone. I was always off with my timing doing that manual thing. You learned me how "easy" it can be to ride drops. I think the last 2 videos were made to set things straight, for me it was immediately clear in the first video that firing down was not applicable to all drops, you explicitly said so. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Joris! I love hearing how the videos have helped. It’s a tough topic with all of the information AND all of the unique circumstances that come up on trail. Keep it up and have fun out there!
Finally! After 1000 videos, I found 1 that makes sense to me! Figure out the speed, let the bike drop naturally and fixed the landing! Can’t wait to try this, thank you fellas!
Must be nice to be so young when you start MTBing with the gear we have now. I was that age when I started. That was before any bikes had suspension. The bikes back then were essentially heavy road bikes with fatter tires. I've had to unlearn a lot of the old techniques. Compared to you, I started in a deep hole that I have had to work out of. 35! You are but a puppy. Take advantage of your youth.
@@richdrewtherideseries sorry not both annoying but my point about this all gear no idea - and these idiots look down on me if im riding hardtail (cost 4000 uk sterling btw) or 120mm trail fs.
I agree Adrian, just keep it between us 😉. I guess we’re appealing because we both have garages full of $8,000 bikes. Good thing we didn’t have to pay for them 🤷🏻♂️
It makes sense to me. your hips may LOOK like they are back on a drop, but with the front of the bike down, you are still over the center of the bike ready to absorb the impact. Thanks, that helps me a ton. I can't manual, and trying to jump the bike didn't work. This is much easier to at least visualize.
Thanks for the efforts, for free lessons! Two legitimate coaches . Great relationship and healthy discussions. Mtb community should be helping one another to progress🤙
I enjoyed your instructional video and agree with it completely! There is however one issue when you are NOT riding in a bike park (with perfect drops) and you don't have a chance to check out every feature before you ride it (Squamish has so many unsanctioned trails that friends love to share!) and unfortunately, you end up going a little too slow over small drops. It has been my experience that a little preloading will always ensure that both wheels will land on the ground, usually at the same time (body position dependent, of course) allowing one to keep your speed and not get tossed. Keep up the great work guys!
I’m a beginner in mtb and watched many videos on how tos! Saw and watched your vid about this drops topic, at first I was a bit worried that I might hurt myself. So I tried it in small drops for many times just to get into the proper form and landing. After I get used to it I was able to hit bigger steeper drops. Thank you for sharing this. A huge help for me. Boosted my confidence and conquered my fears. Btw I’m using HT too. Can’t wait to get a full sus in the future. :)
stop watching how tos and go ride the damn bike.!!!!!!! YT great for advice but you cant shortcut progression by watching hours of youtube. got a mate talks a good game cant ride for shit but seen 1000s youtube videos.
@@richdrewtherideseries hes expertly tried talking me through double-black diamond (didnt need the advice tbh) root-chutes in uk. hes good for something, tho he cant ride even the chicken-line detour
To me drops have always been about commitment. Yes, you do need to bring skill to the table, absolutely but if you are not able to commit you could hurt yourself. I appreciate you guys coming up with yet another video on the topic, I have watched all of them and learn something from every single one. For everyone else watching, please remember start small and progress into bigger drops. Your mind has to be ready and your body has to be able. Then you can send it 🤙
I agree with everything you guys are saying. One of the things about this (these) videos is the actual drop itself. Most of the videos are all on man made, slope drops. No weird entry. No sketchy gap. Nothing to flat. If the trail you are on has a tight corner where exit is say 3-5mph and a (for example) simple 4' to flat , no gap, drop. How would you handle that? THIS is what is always lacking with these how to videos. Change the drop and the technique changes too.
So how would you tackle something like this, have a similar one on my home trail and I´ve yet to come up with a technique that feels safe. This is a great point btw.
@@andrescifuentes5212 I have followed the Lee McCormack way of handling this kind of drop by “popping” the drop right at the edge of the drop. Unload the bike, compress the suspension and pop up 4-8” right before the drop. That way, your bike will have both tires come off the drop at the same time, so the back tire won’t get hung up. When in the air, adjust the bars to the appropriate angle for the landing.
@@Randy_Johnson ...And the counter to that is, now you're interjected another variable, which in my opinion, is the number one way to get hurt if you're an inexperienced rider on flat pedals. SLIPPING A PEDAL. If you hop slightly more than the bike rebounds, and your feet leave the pedals, and it's a 10' drop....it's going to be a bad day. If you're an experienced rider and you've "popped" or "hopped" thousands of times, then you probably have a feel for the timing and it will be fine, and at times depending on the run up, and the need to "clear" something on the landing, it may be the only viable option. If you're a fairly new rider, I think hopping or popping is actually one of the worst techniques, because you are introducing another variable to the equation that can have a catastrophic effect.
@@willbros1499 Agreed. Hopping and popping are definitely for the more experienced riders. Inexperienced riders should only be doing small drops. My comments were for the more experienced riders. I was hoping Rich Drew would have an answer for larger drops that have more difficult and slower run-ins and flat landings.
I never understood drops until I saw your original drop video I thought it was clear and gave precise instructions on what to do when. These video are for people who want to learn and gain confidence not for people who already have confidence. I really like having the 2 of you it creates a cool dynamic. I would love to see some more coaching videos where you teach average Joe a new skill. About the negative comments look at it this way, if you get negative comments that means people are watching, so that's a good thing - right!
I love it when we are able to teach an “average joe or Jane” a new skill. We’re going to try to do that more. I LOVE the negative comments, they’re comedy gold!!
Hinging your body on the pedals and matching the bike angle to your landing I appreciate the advocation for safe riding since my days of pushing the boundaries are gone
Probably one of the best videos on “how to” . Not like the rest were bad but it’s great how u guys mentioned on the start of the video the technique is same but each jump for viewers out here would face diff scenarios. 👍🏻
@@8iamretarded8 Eazy Adrian, I need more people to watch these vids so I can buy more $5,000 bikes! Wait, I don't actually have to pay for the bikes since I make these videos ;)
Boys, you have a lot of good information in here that is bogged down by tonnes of words of caution because a bunch of a-holes are picking your videos apart. Those people are never going to go away. Ignore them. A 23 minute video had 5min of excellent information hiding in it. Don't let those losers ruin your videos boys. Keep pumping out the great and helpful information. Don't bog it down trying to disarm the critics.
Excellent vid Drew! Let me add a comment that may not have been brought up. No matter what the content is about, your banter/ conversation/ discussion with your bro helped add some depth to understanding the process. So rather than just a one-sided explanation, I enjoyed Rob's feedback and additional comments as the "lesson" progressed. I hope that makes sense... keep up the awesome work!
Folks keep saying the spice or salt or fire is gonna come. Maybe that's me. I'm mixed. Learned a lot from the video. Yay. The provocative title "You Are Doing Drops ALL WRONG" is an agitprop stick in the eye, followed by "don't misunderstand us" or "don't freeze frame this or that - just listen!" C'mon, you can't flame with that title and then expect kid gloves while arguing with your viewers the whole time. That said its a journey and props for the doses of humility in the middle. Keep it up.
I like how Rob can't help himself and butts in before you finish your sentence. Haha. Great stuff man, definitely going to apply this when I get the opportunity to. Can't get salty with these dudes on the comment section, you provide quality stuff man!
The information is awesome. Love that you added Rob but man you guys make me seem animated. Lol. It’s literally a race to see “who’s the driest dudes on TH-cam.”
Definitely more videos with Rob. Just got to Bentonville with my kids for the first time 2 weeks ago, and cannot wait to go back. Need to get your series up here to MO.
@@richdrewtherideseries PantherRS5 says hello (hope you enjoyed those lattes) and says we’re coming to see you in September/October, hope we can still get a squeege hydration pack along with the tour of Bentonville’s finest!
I like the way you present your knowledge. I have learned much from your videos. I hope you follow this one up with one or more that describe the nuances of different drop scenarios. Where I ride, there are no artificial drops. None of the drops have a long, flat, smooth runway approach. Most landings are flat-ish. Many drops are down-sloped take-offs to flat landings. The drops here commonly have some reason to need more horizontal flight distance than is achievable with a safe approach speed. There are a million video tutorials showing drops off of well-built ladder bridges onto perfectly configured landing and runout zones. A series of videos that breakdown the skills/techniques needed for scenarios listed above would be unique and of great value to many, many MTBers. I would pay to see that series if the Drew Brothers made it.
When you leave the lip and shoot the bike out it gets projected forward a bit as you extend the arms and legs. This looks like the hips are back when in reality the bike is moving down and forward to absorb the landing. This video is awesome and something I will practice on every ride. Thanks!
OMG...Everybody wants to be an armchair critic! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know everything instructors teach on TH-cam is all relative to what you're hitting in your local area. Even from the first drop video you did, I fully got what you were saying and it vastly improved my drops instantly, so thank you so much Rich and crew. I guess not everybody can have common sense though. Keep doing what you do guys...It's great!!!!!!
Before the previous video I was doing decent drops with the "lean back/manual technique" and always gets the drop. One time I did a drop where the landing is steeper and a bit off camber, landed rear heavy and my rear just washed out under me and crashed. I get back to the how to drop vid of rich and really delved into the technique. Practiced it on smaller drops and felt confident. Went back to were I crashed a month later and nailed the drop. Never felt more confident doing drops before. This vid is a nice addition to the previous one.
Ok so I tried your technique today on the exact same place you filmed. Usually I do a pump and hop technique which is usually sketchy though exhilarating. I tried your technique and I was surprised at the outcome. Wow how much more stable and *boring* your technique is, but one thing I can say is that small drop has become a nothing burger. It’s almost like rolling off a curb! Thanks for introducing this style, definitely a new arrow in the quiver! I’m part of the send it crowd but after trying this I’m hooked. I don’t get back but I do preload and *pop* but I’m going to do drops like this for a while and see how I like it. I recommended your technique to riders today who looked like they were about to crush collar bones and one lad loved it. Great contribution!
Its “the words” that got you in trouble last time. The “hey, watch me and do it like this” is (and was) very good. Personally, when learning something physical I have always felt going heavy on “the show” and light on “the tell” was most effective.
I love your videos. I will admit being skeptical of your technics on drops, however, I have tried it on a 2-3 foot flat dropped and it actually works. Like you guys mentioned the key is having the right speed for that particular drop. I used to do a English bunny hop on a drop that resulted OTB due to the handle bars facing the wrong direction when I landed while my kids watching, it was embarrassing. What you guys emphasizing to have the proper speed on a drop does work, just need to trust the physics. Some drops are different in how you performed the techniques on rough vs smooth terrains based on my experienced. On a rougher terrain drop, for example, I tend to do a small hop to prevent the back wheel getting hang up resulted on a better landing. Thanks for all how to’s videos, keep it coming! I am a fan of your tutorial videos and possibly the same age in the upper forties to where the body does not recover the way it used too. Thanks a lot for all the hard work.
It DOES make perfect sense!! I've seen a lot of different DROP videos and this one is by far the best! Physics and gravity, context, speed.. thanks for sharing your expertise and knowledge!!!! I really appreciate it!!
Great explanations guys. So basically, the movement and position are exactly the same as when sending in staircases with speed, apart for the return to neutral in anticipation of the landing. Will try to see it more like that in the future, thanks!
Makes perfect sense to me. I will probably catch Flack for saying this because I am a novice. It makes perfect sense that you are going to do the same thing that the shocks are going to do on a bicycle a motorcycle or anything else. When your vehicle encounters a drop the shocks are going to stretch down and meet the surface to minimize the impact. And everyone should agree that smoother is faster. Even running off of a drop you are going to naturally do the same thing ( unless of course you're trying to get brownie points for Style) you are going to lower your Center and then extend yourself to meet the lower ground in order to maintain a smooth consistent speed.
Hoping to move to NWA in 2023 and at that point likely to add a non-XC bike with a dropper, less aggressive geometry, etc... I've hit drops into sketchy landing zones during XC/marathon races without even thinking about it but pass on those drops at SP every time I visit NWA. Can't seem to shut off the racer mentality of drops as necessary evil. Grew up racing BMX in 80's and it was all about keeping power to the ground - maybe float something if it made sense for speed/flow but less air = more speed for the most part.
Thanks guys. I have 2 questions: 1. what do you do if you can't get enough speed, and 2. how do you adjust your arms and body if the ramp leading to the drop is downhill, because I feel I am pushing on handlebars too much. Thanks
I personally prefer to stay a bit farther back on drops so I can put down the bike where I want on the landing. I lift slightly at the lip and staying level. One my back tire leaves the lip I adjust for the landing. Works well for landing to flat or to an actual landing for me. I find that if I do the method shown here I just nose dive and land front heavy.
On all their examples, i've noticed they come in on the front more than an even flat landing. It isn't too much, and with the correct setup on the suspension they are now blowing through all the suspension, but this is one of my concerns. I think it would be worse if their landings were flat, not on a slope too, or the drops were much bigger (though on one of his previous videos Rich did show it on a really huge drop, and it was fine). I just wonder if there is more adjusting as an experienced rider than the explanation gives.. And also is this the best and safest technique to teach a new rider? I learned, and teach the method used by PMBI (Professional mountain Bike Instructors Assn. from Whistler - and I'm an instructor in Australia), which is a slight compression to unweight the bike, not to actually hop, then lead/poke (or guide) the front down in to the landing. It works similarly, but not as extreme as their method. But it also allows for occasions where you need to compress more (or do a full bunny hop) to get more distance (rider speed or trail speed may be a bit low for the feature, it really depends), and as you get to a higher speed, you don't need pretty much any compression at all, just to lead the front down to match the landing, which is closer to their technique... As they said at the start, it is a more race technique, but it really relies on being confident at matching the right speed for the trail and the drop, which is a fairly advance thing. Kids want to do drops and huck off things....
@@weathdone I agree a little nose or closer to even is good, but they are coming in pretty nose heavy, not where they are about to go otb, but still looks like quite a lot of heavy nose, and on a bigger drop that doesn't seem very ideal.
I think this fixes the issues people have been having with the other 2 drop vids, the form makes sense from the perspective of minimizing the size and impact of the drop.
Don't worry about the naysayers. Obviously, watching you guys do it, it's easy to see that it works. I have been doing this technique as well and it helps.
Good video with one caveat, it's all based around the ideal scenario of being able to have enough speed to simply ride off the drop, something that doesn't always happen on more natural or techie trails. I think the best tip in this video has to do with point two, most people don't extend enough in the air to allow them to absorb the landing. Just remember, we don't all live in Bentonville with 100 million dollars of professionally built trails made to give you the speed you need for any obstacle.
more often than not he feature is NOT the actual drop but the rutted run-in, or drop to flat turn or drop to roots or tricky slow turn to drop blah blah
We are planning to cover exact circumstances you describe. That video will likely be filmed in AZ on raw trails. The content of the video can only address the circumstances that are present when we are filming. I believe discussing hypothetical situations without any example would not be helpful. We love the comments because they provide us with direction for future content. Please stay tuned in as we continue to create!👍
You guys are awesome thank you. Just got my first full suspension and hoping to start doing drops when winter leaves now. Going to use your techniques seem super simple and straightforward. Lol just have to execute it.
Great technique for rolling off of a flat wooden ramp onto a uniform downslope. Not so much for a real trail where you can't always hit the ideal speed, the takeoff is not level and smooth, or the landing zone is short or has hazards. In the real world, a slight pop or hop as described in other tutorials (by very credible and talented riders) is going to save you from a hard crash. Fine if you don't want to teach it here, but it is an essential skill for trail riding.
If you drop the front off these baby drops its fine you do this on big ones and the front hits first you will bottom out the forks and blow off the track. Gotta land level to the down slope and basically this video is summed up in a few words. Drop at the right speed to get to where you need to go. You could drop these sitting backwards.
Drops are not fun? Like....since when? Drops are not a required part of mountain biking. If you don't enjoy doing them, don't do them! I love doing drops. I did them on my BMX bike when I was younger off loading docks.....for fun!
Your method for drops has been one I feel comfortable with! I'm still a noob tho only 1 year into this sport. Loving it. Also the physics makes sense to me! Even tho mates keep telling me to do it other ways I'm not changing! Hahaha Keep doing what you guys do!
Again, these are former racers that are instructors. They deal with making "foundational" skill more adaptable for beginner to intermediate riders, pushing progression safely, daily. The BMX / Trials rider that can bounce on their rear tire for 5 minutes, or the self proclaimed Sendy McSender semi-pro, trying to turn doubles into triples, might elect to use a different technique. We appreciate that you are looking out for most riders, so that they can do their best.
they literally overcomplicate a basic skill. its a SKILL not a procedure. try teaching someone how to put a golf ball in the hole. watch a video wonder why ball wont go in hole... well, it takes fkn practice.
@@8iamretarded8 me put ball in hole. me ride bike off drop
@@richdrewtherideseries lol pretty much my mate approach he had 2 shoulder surgery already but he watch your video 1000times
Video should start at 7:35
Their method starts at 12:17
First bit is mostly disclaimers to be careful and safe and use your judgement because places you ride may be different.
Hey Drew.
Thanks for continuing the conversation on drops.
What I'm learning is drops are a continuum and it's not something most people can just learn by spending a couple minutes watching a video. It something requires thought and practice and reflection and someone to tell what you're actually doing.
And you words are helping me get there.
Well said!!
also one thing very helpful on drops and jumps is to have a tow from someone that does that feature good ....its helped me on some big jumps that i didn't think i could do but did on first tow in i got from kid who shreds...
Yea and everybody is wrong except you. You are world champion of being right.
I agree, send me my damn jersey
@therobdrew ghost riding a $5000 bike has to be my favorite part of this video. Oh, and Rich trying to hold back his laughter. Great instruction, per usual. Love having Rob in the mix.
Your prejudiced buddy.
It looks like you're going back as the bike pivots as you extend your arms. You aren't moving your body back as much as your arms extend down and slightly forward. This technique works well because you don't focus on moving back, your arms make the movement. I am with you, I'm so tired of hearing people say get back on the bike. Getting back is a reaction not an input.
“Getting back is a reaction, not an input.” This is GOLD and I’m going to hijack it…with credit going to you of course 😉
@@richdrewtherideseries it's all yours! You taught me to do my first 5 foot drop, so thank you!
I also feel like people can see the technique from two perspectives. You can see it coming from the perspective of the hips coming back/bike going forward. What I like about Rich's perspective is, it's focused on timing the creation of space in the arms to prepare for the landing. Creating space just happens to also move your center of gravity backward relative to the bikes. I feel like I'd rather be focused on my first contact rather than where my hips are relative to the bike.
you are SERIOUSLY over analysing. rather than working on you word-per-minute typing skills try riding a bicycle instead.
Nice video guys. Obviously each drop man made or not is unique. Each drop needs to be analyzed accordingly. In this vid you focused on upper body and hips. Dont forget to mention the position of the forward and rear feet. What should you be doing with the pedals to secure your landing. I can imagine Too many fails happen with bad foot position. Total body experience 😂. Thanks for the coaching.
Around 10:00, you're talking about the "right speed" to approach a drop (and not hop before it). But in certain circumstances, you can't get to that ideal speed you need to just fly off a drop, like there's no run-in, or the drop is just after a turn, or whatever. So, in some cases, hopping at the lip of the drop CAN be useful, especially if you don't have the speed.
no doubt! there's a time and place for sure but if not timed or done perfect, the outcome is "no bueno" hence Rob and Rich's point about different drops and "if there's something in front of the drop"...
@@bryanmyers4970 You must be a genius Bryan!! So crazy to me that it gets lost in translation even though we specifically state it.
I keep telling myself, friends, and students that I'm a genius!! Problem is that these 8th graders can see straight through that claim 😂
Rob adds so much to these videos. Definitely do more Rob!
I think you should or could address more of how the technique changes based on speed. You said go the speed the drop requires but that's not often the circumstance ppl are in.
Gonna get him in there as much as possible!
We are working on a video that addresses different speeds and drops to flat
I’ve seen other videos on doing drops and to me yours makes the most sense. 56-year-old guy just trying to live through the features, have fun and to keep improving.
To me, theirs is the easiest to get wrong and send you over your bars and to the hospital. If you don't manipulate the bike early enough and you stay forward, you are done. It's counterintuitive and too easy to mess up. One of these yahoo landed way early on the front in this very video, if the drop had been 8 inches taller, he would have eaten dirt. Fck these guys, they are going to get people hurt. Just the fact that they can't take criticism and spend half the video talking sht is already too annoying for me to ever watch again.
I learn more on how to coach from these. Real important the kids I coach come back safe and I owe a lot to the TRS how tos! Rob’s “you got to see the fear in their eyes” is exactly my approach! Keep em coming!
He's good! I love that you get some coaching take aways from the vids!
Watched the video and did my first drop 3ft very confidently. This advice is solid
You know why this was probably one of your best instructional videos? Because you gave equal time to explaining the WHY of your instructions, and how it effects the outcome as much as the HOW of the technique. This was probably motivated by you feeling that you had to defend the technique with the explanation of the why but the result is a fantastically clear, logical and consumable video. Mate, you are at your best when you feel you're on your backfoot defending and therefore you leave no point uncovered. Maybe something to consider for future vids or to re-shoot other technique vids. Looking forward to being in one of your San Diego clinics. Cheers!
I just took Rich's 2-day class, and it was taught with the same clarity, passion and humor shown in this video. I'm itching to go ride my bike and implement what I've learned from Rich (and in this video, Rob).
Hello Rich and Drew, thank you for making these videos. I’m a new rider, and this video has helped me a lot! Please keep them coming!!
I'm just here for the Red shoes :) Good content as always you two.
Bro, my brother and I just applied the techniques you implemented, feels so much better and natural...we've been doin it all wrong after all this time...TY Drew bros!!!
HECK YEAH!! Love to hear this 👊🏻
bollocks.
Love your videos. I started MTBing in my 40s. I never understood hanging over the saddle on a drop... no weight on the front. Then I saw your video on drop offs and it made perfect sense to me and I've been using your method successfully ever since. Many thanks from Ireland ..
Very helpful video at last! All the rest of the riders that post videos about jumping leave it a bit confusing and you’ve made it all clear. Thank you so much!!
Tnx guys I saw all three videos now about drops and they really taught me the basics to do drops and also gave me the confidence to ride bigger drops without putting myself into danger more than needed. I think you saved me from braking a collar bone. I was always off with my timing doing that manual thing. You learned me how "easy" it can be to ride drops. I think the last 2 videos were made to set things straight, for me it was immediately clear in the first video that firing down was not applicable to all drops, you explicitly said so.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks Joris! I love hearing how the videos have helped. It’s a tough topic with all of the information AND all of the unique circumstances that come up on trail. Keep it up and have fun out there!
Finally! After 1000 videos, I found 1 that makes sense to me! Figure out the speed, let the bike drop naturally and fixed the landing! Can’t wait to try this, thank you fellas!
Oh man! As a 35 year old beginner taking "the safest" approach is confidence inspiring. Thank you very much!!! I am going to apply this.
As a 35 year old beginner, one of the most relatable comments I've read 😂
Must be nice to be so young when you start MTBing with the gear we have now. I was that age when I started. That was before any bikes had suspension. The bikes back then were essentially heavy road bikes with fatter tires. I've had to unlearn a lot of the old techniques. Compared to you, I started in a deep hole that I have had to work out of. 35! You are but a puppy. Take advantage of your youth.
Don’t leave Rob. 😁 love the chemistry between you too. More videos with Rob please. 😊
what?? they are both really fkn annoying. its the folks on $8000 bikes that watch these crappy videos.
@@8iamretarded8 WHOA!!!! Don't let everyone in our secret ;)
@@richdrewtherideseries sorry not both annoying but my point about this all gear no idea - and these idiots look down on me if im riding hardtail (cost 4000 uk sterling btw) or 120mm trail fs.
@@8iamretarded8 Tell is how you really feel.
I agree Adrian, just keep it between us 😉. I guess we’re appealing because we both have garages full of $8,000 bikes. Good thing we didn’t have to pay for them 🤷🏻♂️
Yes bring Rob back. You guys keep each other (and us) honest
It makes sense to me. your hips may LOOK like they are back on a drop, but with the front of the bike down, you are still over the center of the bike ready to absorb the impact. Thanks, that helps me a ton. I can't manual, and trying to jump the bike didn't work. This is much easier to at least visualize.
Glad this helped Doug. Don’t worry, that manual will come eventually 👊🏻
I Watch your video and for the first time [i’m riding about 12 year now] i try a little drop, and it works very easily!
Thanks man!
Great to hear! Keep it up!
I enjoyed the video and it’s really disheartening to see some of the comments. Your videos have helped me, Thank you!!
Thanks for the efforts, for free lessons! Two legitimate coaches .
Great relationship and healthy discussions. Mtb community should be helping one another to progress🤙
I enjoyed your instructional video and agree with it completely! There is however one issue when you are NOT riding in a bike park (with perfect drops) and you don't have a chance to check out every feature before you ride it (Squamish has so many unsanctioned trails that friends love to share!) and unfortunately, you end up going a little too slow over small drops. It has been my experience that a little preloading will always ensure that both wheels will land on the ground, usually at the same time (body position dependent, of course) allowing one to keep your speed and not get tossed. Keep up the great work guys!
thanks solaris! I doubt there are many people watching these videos that ride in Squamish ;)
I’m a beginner in mtb and watched many videos on how tos! Saw and watched your vid about this drops topic, at first I was a bit worried that I might hurt myself. So I tried it in small drops for many times just to get into the proper form and landing. After I get used to it I was able to hit bigger steeper drops. Thank you for sharing this. A huge help for me. Boosted my confidence and conquered my fears. Btw I’m using HT too. Can’t wait to get a full sus in the future. :)
I love to hear this Raymund! Keep it up and let me know when you get that full sus!
stop watching how tos and go ride the damn bike.!!!!!!! YT great for advice but you cant shortcut progression by watching hours of youtube. got a mate talks a good game cant ride for shit but seen 1000s youtube videos.
@@8iamretarded8 Wait, he's watched 1000's of YT videos???? Well damnit, he's an expert... at watching YT vids!
@@richdrewtherideseries hes expertly tried talking me through double-black diamond (didnt need the advice tbh) root-chutes in uk. hes good for something, tho he cant ride even the chicken-line detour
Still loving your videos Rich, this one really helps me. Pay no attention to the haters.
Same old story. Big Brother throws little brother's bike off a cliff and says "It'll be alright, glad it's not my bike!"
Haha!! That's great! But...I don't think doing it with the eBike would have been the smart option, in Rob's defense. :-)
@@willbros1499 Next chance I will try it with the E bike. 👍
Im late , LOL so true !
To me drops have always been about commitment. Yes, you do need to bring skill to the table, absolutely but if you are not able to commit you could hurt yourself.
I appreciate you guys coming up with yet another video on the topic, I have watched all of them and learn something from every single one. For everyone else watching, please remember start small and progress into bigger drops. Your mind has to be ready and your body has to be able. Then you can send it 🤙
#fullcommitmentmindandbody
The mind is what truly holds you back! Positive thinking will pull you through!
Looks so simple. You broke it down well. This is my biggest fear- eating it on the landing. Thanks.
Really good, thanks. Rob is a great addition & very articulate w/ his input.
Thanks for all the information you're putting out there and Rob is definitely a great addition to your commentaries keep up the good work!!
You are very welcome Glen! Rob adds a ton, hoping to have aboard even more moving forward.
Thanks for another great video! Love to see Rob on the spot! I would like to see your insights on drop to a flat.
Coming soon Tiago!
I agree with everything you guys are saying. One of the things about this (these) videos is the actual drop itself. Most of the videos are all on man made, slope drops. No weird entry. No sketchy gap. Nothing to flat. If the trail you are on has a tight corner where exit is say 3-5mph and a (for example) simple 4' to flat , no gap, drop. How would you handle that? THIS is what is always lacking with these how to videos. Change the drop and the technique changes too.
Exactly!
So how would you tackle something like this, have a similar one on my home trail and I´ve yet to come up with a technique that feels safe. This is a great point btw.
@@andrescifuentes5212 I have followed the Lee McCormack way of handling this kind of drop by “popping” the drop right at the edge of the drop. Unload the bike, compress the suspension and pop up 4-8” right before the drop. That way, your bike will have both tires come off the drop at the same time, so the back tire won’t get hung up. When in the air, adjust the bars to the appropriate angle for the landing.
@@Randy_Johnson ...And the counter to that is, now you're interjected another variable, which in my opinion, is the number one way to get hurt if you're an inexperienced rider on flat pedals. SLIPPING A PEDAL. If you hop slightly more than the bike rebounds, and your feet leave the pedals, and it's a 10' drop....it's going to be a bad day. If you're an experienced rider and you've "popped" or "hopped" thousands of times, then you probably have a feel for the timing and it will be fine, and at times depending on the run up, and the need to "clear" something on the landing, it may be the only viable option.
If you're a fairly new rider, I think hopping or popping is actually one of the worst techniques, because you are introducing another variable to the equation that can have a catastrophic effect.
@@willbros1499 Agreed. Hopping and popping are definitely for the more experienced riders. Inexperienced riders should only be doing small drops. My comments were for the more experienced riders. I was hoping Rich Drew would have an answer for larger drops that have more difficult and slower run-ins and flat landings.
Lovely explanation!
I'm just learning to do drops and jumps, so before I try a feature myself, I launch my bike to show me the way :-)
Smart man!
Lol, never thought of that 👍
I never understood drops until I saw your original drop video I thought it was clear and gave precise instructions on what to do when. These video are for people who want to learn and gain confidence not for people who already have confidence. I really like having the 2 of you it creates a cool dynamic. I would love to see some more coaching videos where you teach average Joe a new skill. About the negative comments look at it this way, if you get negative comments that means people are watching, so that's a good thing - right!
I love it when we are able to teach an “average joe or Jane” a new skill. We’re going to try to do that more.
I LOVE the negative comments, they’re comedy gold!!
Hinging your body on the pedals and matching the bike angle to your landing
I appreciate the advocation for safe riding since my days of pushing the boundaries are gone
Probably one of the best videos on “how to” . Not like the rest were bad but it’s great how u guys mentioned on the start of the video the technique is same but each jump for viewers out here would face diff scenarios. 👍🏻
Glad you liked it Ernest!
Please do another video on drops to flat. I need a visual! Thanks guys!
Hey Charles! Already working on it dude! Hope to have something for you soon
no you need to practice lazy. maybe turn off the computer and ride the bike??
@@8iamretarded8 Eazy Adrian, I need more people to watch these vids so I can buy more $5,000 bikes! Wait, I don't actually have to pay for the bikes since I make these videos ;)
@@richdrewtherideseries lol I thumb up btw
Boys, you have a lot of good information in here that is bogged down by tonnes of words of caution because a bunch of a-holes are picking your videos apart. Those people are never going to go away. Ignore them. A 23 minute video had 5min of excellent information hiding in it.
Don't let those losers ruin your videos boys. Keep pumping out the great and helpful information. Don't bog it down trying to disarm the critics.
Great point!
Excellent vid Drew! Let me add a comment that may not have been brought up. No matter what the content is about, your banter/ conversation/ discussion with your bro helped add some depth to understanding the process. So rather than just a one-sided explanation, I enjoyed Rob's feedback and additional comments as the "lesson" progressed. I hope that makes sense... keep up the awesome work!
Folks keep saying the spice or salt or fire is gonna come. Maybe that's me. I'm mixed. Learned a lot from the video. Yay. The provocative title "You Are Doing Drops ALL WRONG" is an agitprop stick in the eye, followed by "don't misunderstand us" or "don't freeze frame this or that - just listen!" C'mon, you can't flame with that title and then expect kid gloves while arguing with your viewers the whole time. That said its a journey and props for the doses of humility in the middle. Keep it up.
Indeed!
I like how Rob can't help himself and butts in before you finish your sentence. Haha. Great stuff man, definitely going to apply this when I get the opportunity to.
Can't get salty with these dudes on the comment section, you provide quality stuff man!
Welcome to my life Cris 🤷🏻♂️. At least he normally has great input.
Good clear advice Rich and Rob!
The information is awesome. Love that you added Rob but man you guys make me seem animated. Lol. It’s literally a race to see “who’s the driest dudes on TH-cam.”
Thats funny right there. Its like a good English Comedy sketch. Ala Monty Python.😁
Definitely more videos with Rob. Just got to Bentonville with my kids for the first time 2 weeks ago, and cannot wait to go back. Need to get your series up here to MO.
We’re doing what we can to keep him around 😉👊🏻
Great video - love the dynamic of the brothers (both Rob and Rich bring different perspectives), keep them coming!
Heck yeah, great to hear! I'm the more dynamic one thought, right???
@@richdrewtherideseries PantherRS5 says hello (hope you enjoyed those lattes) and says we’re coming to see you in September/October, hope we can still get a squeege hydration pack along with the tour of Bentonville’s finest!
I like the way you present your knowledge. I have learned much from your videos. I hope you follow this one up with one or more that describe the nuances of different drop scenarios.
Where I ride, there are no artificial drops. None of the drops have a long, flat, smooth runway approach. Most landings are flat-ish. Many drops are down-sloped take-offs to flat landings. The drops here commonly have some reason to need more horizontal flight distance than is achievable with a safe approach speed.
There are a million video tutorials showing drops off of well-built ladder bridges onto perfectly configured landing and runout zones. A series of videos that breakdown the skills/techniques needed for scenarios listed above would be unique and of great value to many, many MTBers. I would pay to see that series if the Drew Brothers made it.
GREAT IDEA!!
Love it! Thanks guys. Attending a Ride Series clinic is on my bucket list!!
I think I saw rob smile a couple of times. Great job guys!
No you didn't, he never smiles ;)
When you leave the lip and shoot the bike out it gets projected forward a bit as you extend the arms and legs. This looks like the hips are back when in reality the bike is moving down and forward to absorb the landing. This video is awesome and something I will practice on every ride. Thanks!
Best drop video by far! Thank you guys!
You are VERY welcome Ruben
OMG...Everybody wants to be an armchair critic! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know everything instructors teach on TH-cam is all relative to what you're hitting in your local area. Even from the first drop video you did, I fully got what you were saying and it vastly improved my drops instantly, so thank you so much Rich and crew. I guess not everybody can have common sense though. Keep doing what you do guys...It's great!!!!!!
Before the previous video I was doing decent drops with the "lean back/manual technique" and always gets the drop. One time I did a drop where the landing is steeper and a bit off camber, landed rear heavy and my rear just washed out under me and crashed. I get back to the how to drop vid of rich and really delved into the technique. Practiced it on smaller drops and felt confident. Went back to were I crashed a month later and nailed the drop. Never felt more confident doing drops before. This vid is a nice addition to the previous one.
BOOM! That’s what I’m talking about 👊🏻
Probably the safest way to do drops that I’ve seen. Always play these steps in my head as I continue to progress.
Heck yeah Mario!
Ok so I tried your technique today on the exact same place you filmed.
Usually I do a pump and hop technique which is usually sketchy though exhilarating. I tried your technique and I was surprised at the outcome.
Wow how much more stable and *boring* your technique is, but one thing I can say is that small drop has become a nothing burger. It’s almost like rolling off a curb!
Thanks for introducing this style, definitely a new arrow in the quiver!
I’m part of the send it crowd but after trying this I’m hooked. I don’t get back but I do preload and *pop* but I’m going to do drops like this for a while and see how I like it.
I recommended your technique to riders today who looked like they were about to crush collar bones and one lad loved it.
Great contribution!
Again Easy to understand and makes sense. the previous drop videos were the same. Thanks again .
Heck yeah, glad you feel that way. It doesn’t hurt to come at it a few different ways. I hope it resonates with more people.
Its “the words” that got you in trouble last time. The “hey, watch me and do it like this” is (and was) very good. Personally, when learning something physical I have always felt going heavy on “the show” and light on “the tell” was most effective.
Story of my life 🤷🏻♂️😉.
yep. way too much waffle but this is how you get 20,000 views on a fairly pointless and unhelpful video.
I love your videos. I will admit being skeptical of your technics on drops, however, I have tried it on a 2-3 foot flat dropped and it actually works. Like you guys mentioned the key is having the right speed for that particular drop. I used to do a English bunny hop on a drop that resulted OTB due to the handle bars facing the wrong direction when I landed while my kids watching, it was embarrassing. What you guys emphasizing to have the proper speed on a drop does work, just need to trust the physics. Some drops are different in how you performed the techniques on rough vs smooth terrains based on my experienced. On a rougher terrain drop, for example, I tend to do a small hop to prevent the back wheel getting hang up resulted on a better landing. Thanks for all how to’s videos, keep it coming! I am a fan of your tutorial videos and possibly the same age in the upper forties to where the body does not recover the way it used too. Thanks a lot for all the hard work.
Thanks for the feedback!! The plan is to keep cranking the vids out
You guys are great as always!! Rob's humour is even better than his riding!!
I loved that experiment! Excellent! Thanks fellahs!
It DOES make perfect sense!! I've seen a lot of different DROP videos and this one is by far the best! Physics and gravity, context, speed.. thanks for sharing your expertise and knowledge!!!! I really appreciate it!!
Can you do some drops to flat examples in the future? Keep on doing what your doing. Love it.
Hey there! That’s the plan. Working on the locations now
very detailed!, removing my fear to try is the most impt to give it a go! this video helped a lot thank you!
Hey Ronnel! Removing the fear, or at least minimizing it, is a difficult thing.
Great explanations guys. So basically, the movement and position are exactly the same as when sending in staircases with speed, apart for the return to neutral in anticipation of the landing. Will try to see it more like that in the future, thanks!
I like the minimal almost 60 year point of view for drops.
I loaded the slingshot went of a jump and broke 9 ribs
Ouch!! Bummed to hear about the ribs.
You 2 are absolute awesome old war horses. Love it 🤘
Makes perfect sense to me.
I will probably catch Flack for saying this because I am a novice.
It makes perfect sense that you are going to do the same thing that the shocks are going to do on a bicycle a motorcycle or anything else.
When your vehicle encounters a drop the shocks are going to stretch down and meet the surface to minimize the impact.
And everyone should agree that smoother is faster.
Even running off of a drop you are going to naturally do the same thing ( unless of course you're trying to get brownie points for Style) you are going to lower your Center and then extend yourself to meet the lower ground in order to maintain a smooth consistent speed.
Hoping to move to NWA in 2023 and at that point likely to add a non-XC bike with a dropper, less aggressive geometry, etc...
I've hit drops into sketchy landing zones during XC/marathon races without even thinking about it but pass on those drops at SP every time I visit NWA. Can't seem to shut off the racer mentality of drops as necessary evil. Grew up racing BMX in 80's and it was all about keeping power to the ground - maybe float something if it made sense for speed/flow but less air = more speed for the most part.
You guys are better than most. Your content is informative and telling. Keep it up
Thank you guys... I'm a real novice, but you guys made it make sense. Gave me confidence on my first drop at 43y of age
Thanks guys. I have 2 questions: 1. what do you do if you can't get enough speed, and 2. how do you adjust your arms and body if the ramp leading to the drop is downhill, because I feel I am pushing on handlebars too much. Thanks
This helped a newbie like me tremendously! Subscribing for sure
Heck yeah Dakota!
Excellent video RD^2! I'm trying this approach as, after your detailed explanation, it makes perfect sense to me.
Thanks Carlos!
I like this follow through video! Keep it up Rich and Rob!
Great instruction Rich and Rob
I personally prefer to stay a bit farther back on drops so I can put down the bike where I want on the landing. I lift slightly at the lip and staying level. One my back tire leaves the lip I adjust for the landing. Works well for landing to flat or to an actual landing for me. I find that if I do the method shown here I just nose dive and land front heavy.
On all their examples, i've noticed they come in on the front more than an even flat landing. It isn't too much, and with the correct setup on the suspension they are now blowing through all the suspension, but this is one of my concerns. I think it would be worse if their landings were flat, not on a slope too, or the drops were much bigger (though on one of his previous videos Rich did show it on a really huge drop, and it was fine). I just wonder if there is more adjusting as an experienced rider than the explanation gives.. And also is this the best and safest technique to teach a new rider?
I learned, and teach the method used by PMBI (Professional mountain Bike Instructors Assn. from Whistler - and I'm an instructor in Australia), which is a slight compression to unweight the bike, not to actually hop, then lead/poke (or guide) the front down in to the landing. It works similarly, but not as extreme as their method. But it also allows for occasions where you need to compress more (or do a full bunny hop) to get more distance (rider speed or trail speed may be a bit low for the feature, it really depends), and as you get to a higher speed, you don't need pretty much any compression at all, just to lead the front down to match the landing, which is closer to their technique... As they said at the start, it is a more race technique, but it really relies on being confident at matching the right speed for the trail and the drop, which is a fairly advance thing. Kids want to do drops and huck off things....
@@JasonTankard ur suppose to land lil nose first on most landings...
@@weathdone I agree a little nose or closer to even is good, but they are coming in pretty nose heavy, not where they are about to go otb, but still looks like quite a lot of heavy nose, and on a bigger drop that doesn't seem very ideal.
I think this fixes the issues people have been having with the other 2 drop vids, the form makes sense from the perspective of minimizing the size and impact of the drop.
Thank you for these videos, the two of you are awesome!!
You are very welcome. To clarify though, I’m awesomer right? 😉
@@richdrewtherideseries Lol… Of course!!
Thanks for the video,. Great job on covering everything that could be used against.
You are very welcome Marshall
Well done, dynamic duo right here. 🤘🏾🤙🏾💪🏾
Thank you!!
Rob is a beast. Love the video.
This is TH-cam gold. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻
My pleasure, glad you liked it!
The rider-less bike demo was the best. Suggest getting less expensive bike just for this demo and then show what happens at different speeds.
Haha, I agree! We could’ve stretched that out a bit more and I think we will in the future.
Don't worry about the naysayers. Obviously, watching you guys do it, it's easy to see that it works. I have been doing this technique as well and it helps.
Great to hear Dirt City!!
Good video with one caveat, it's all based around the ideal scenario of being able to have enough speed to simply ride off the drop, something that doesn't always happen on more natural or techie trails. I think the best tip in this video has to do with point two, most people don't extend enough in the air to allow them to absorb the landing. Just remember, we don't all live in Bentonville with 100 million dollars of professionally built trails made to give you the speed you need for any obstacle.
more often than not he feature is NOT the actual drop but the rutted run-in, or drop to flat turn or drop to roots or tricky slow turn to drop blah blah
We are planning to cover exact circumstances you describe. That video will likely be filmed in AZ on raw trails. The content of the video can only address the circumstances that are present when we are filming. I believe discussing hypothetical situations without any example would not be helpful. We love the comments because they provide us with direction for future content. Please stay tuned in as we continue to create!👍
great vid. keep rob around!
I’ll see what I can do 😉
Can the same technique be applied to a drop to flat?
That is my question, too. Would be great if someone could answer this...
Best how to channel on yt, thanks!!!
No, thank YOU Tiago 👊🏻
You guys are awesome thank you. Just got my first full suspension and hoping to start doing drops when winter leaves now. Going to use your techniques seem super simple and straightforward. Lol just have to execute it.
This is the first videos you made that I will not go and try,
I will keep hooping down or moving the weight
Great technique for rolling off of a flat wooden ramp onto a uniform downslope. Not so much for a real trail where you can't always hit the ideal speed, the takeoff is not level and smooth, or the landing zone is short or has hazards. In the real world, a slight pop or hop as described in other tutorials (by very credible and talented riders) is going to save you from a hard crash. Fine if you don't want to teach it here, but it is an essential skill for trail riding.
Ok, thank you 👊🏻
I dig it, keep it up Gents.great job.
Thanks Joey 👊🏻
If you drop the front off these baby drops its fine you do this on big ones and the front hits first you will bottom out the forks and blow off the track. Gotta land level to the down slope and basically this video is summed up in a few words. Drop at the right speed to get to where you need to go. You could drop these sitting backwards.
Drops are not fun? Like....since when? Drops are not a required part of mountain biking. If you don't enjoy doing them, don't do them!
I love doing drops. I did them on my BMX bike when I was younger off loading docks.....for fun!
Your method for drops has been one I feel comfortable with! I'm still a noob tho only 1 year into this sport. Loving it. Also the physics makes sense to me! Even tho mates keep telling me to do it other ways I'm not changing! Hahaha Keep doing what you guys do!
Heck yeah, way to be a lone Wolf…er, panda 😉. One year in, that’s awesome! So much left for you to learn and experience, enjoy it!
@@richdrewtherideseries hahahaha cheers big man 🤙🤙🤙🤙
Once again...excellent job! Keep riding!