Bike Jump Ramp Safety: Gear, Checks and Progression
Riding an MTB Hopper jump ramp safely comes down to four habits: wear a helmet every session, check the ramp before the first jump, stay within its weight limit and raise the height one level at a time.
WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR ON A JUMP RAMP?
A helmet is a must, on every ramp and every session. Knee, wrist and back protection are strongly recommended too. Everyone crashes sometimes, and riders who wear protection get to keep jumping and riding for a lot longer.
CHECK THE RAMP BEFORE EVERY SESSION
Before riding, make sure the ramp is assembled following its manual and stands stable.
- Assemble the ramp following its manual, from the sheet in the box or the Manuals page.
- Check it stands stable, with no wobble to either side and no sliding.
- Check the riding surface lies firmly on the frame and doesn't shift.
- Push the ramp forward with your hands, then step onto it.
- Make sure the front legs don't lean against a curb.
MTB Hopper ramps have no bolts to loosen. The parts interlock without tools.
START LOW AND GO UP ONE LEVEL AT A TIME
Every MTB Hopper ramp adjusts in height, so riders progress on the same ramp. Start at the lowest height and a fairly slow speed. How slow depends on the ramp. When the jump feels comfortable, raise the height by one level.
Coming back from an injury, or learning to jump later in life? INTRO starts at 290 mm (11.4 in), and the MINI position on COACH is a roll-down you can ride straight over.
"Super Helpful to practice often and go always a Bit wider. I turned 50 this year." Manfred Schneider, on COACH + MINI PAD
WHY A LANDING MAKES JUMPING SAFER
Landing on flat ground is OK while jumps stay low and slow, but after a few sessions it stops being pleasant.
The best landing is a natural slope. Put the ramp in front of it and jump onto the slope, which lowers the chance of injury. No slope? The MINI PAD and PAD landings have built-in shock absorbers that soak up the impact, and you control the gap between ramp and landing. The MINI PAD suspension helps riders avoid casing and going over the bars, and it takes stress off knees and bike parts.
With a MINI PAD or PAD landing, you can ride a ramp one level above your current skill level. A ramp and a landing let a nervous rider choose the height, the gap and the speed of every jump.
Big ramps need big landings: AIR needs a landing 1.5 to 2.2 m (4.9 to 7.2 ft) high.
WEIGHT LIMITS FOR EVERY MTB HOPPER PRODUCT
Most MTB Hopper ramps and landings carry up to 130 kg (286 lbs) of rider and bike combined.
| Product | Weight limit |
|---|---|
| INTRO, LITE, COACH, DROP, STREET, LIL AIR | 130 kg (286 lbs), rider and bike |
| AIR | 150 kg (330 lbs), rider and bike |
| AREA 51 | 300 kg (661 lbs) |
| MINI PAD Landing | 130 kg (286 lbs), rider and bike |
| PAD Landing, with or without Extension for PAD Landing | 150 kg (330 lbs), rider and bike |
| WAVE, SKINNY Set | 130 kg (286 lbs), rider and bike |
| BALANCE Manual Machine | 120 kg (264 lbs) |
| CORE Balance Board | 110 kg (242 lbs) |
THE BALANCE MANUAL TRAINER HAS A BRAKE STOP
On the BALANCE Manual Machine, your rear brake is the safety stop. If you lean too far back, pull the rear brake and BALANCE stops right away. It fits 24, 26, 27.5 and 29 inch wheels with tires from 1.5 to 4.0 inches wide.
USE EACH RAMP FOR WHAT IT'S BUILT FOR
MTB Hopper products are built for mountain bikes, BMX, snowboards and twin tip skis. Motorcycles go only on ramps whose product description says so, like AREA 51. And before every jump, be honest about your own skills.
HOW MTB HOPPER TESTS ITS RAMPS
Every MTB Hopper product is tested while it's still a prototype. Those tests check how strong the construction is and whether the product does exactly the job it was designed for. After that, MTB Hopper watches how the product does in everyday use: how comfortable it is, how it wears, how much fun it is and how much riders want to use it.
The engineers run those tests themselves, because they ride mountain bikes and motorcycles. That's also where new MTB Hopper products come from: riding.
MTB Hopper builds its products in its own manufacturing facilities in Lithuania, where production is certified to the ISO 9001:2015 quality management standard. Every product comes with a 2-year warranty.
FAQ
Do you need a helmet on a bike jump ramp?
Yes. A helmet is a must on every MTB Hopper ramp, every session. Knee, wrist and back protection are strongly recommended too, because every rider crashes sometimes and protection lets riders keep jumping for longer.
What is the weight limit of an MTB Hopper ramp?
INTRO, LITE, COACH, DROP, STREET and LIL AIR carry up to 130 kg (286 lbs) of rider and bike combined. AIR carries 150 kg (330 lbs) and AREA 51 carries 300 kg (661 lbs). The MINI PAD landing takes 130 kg, and the PAD landing takes 150 kg with or without its Extension.
Do MTB Hopper ramps have bolts that need tightening?
No. MTB Hopper ramps have no bolts, and the parts interlock without tools. Before riding, check the ramp is assembled following its manual, stands without wobbling or sliding, and has its riding surface sitting firmly on the frame.
What's the safest way for a beginner to learn to jump a bike?
Start an adjustable MTB Hopper ramp at its lowest height and a slow speed, and raise it one level at a time as confidence grows. Jump onto a natural slope when you can, or add a MINI PAD landing, whose shock absorbers soften the impact. Wear a helmet every time.
Does a manual trainer stop you from flipping backwards?
The MTB Hopper BALANCE Manual Machine uses your rear brake as the stop. When you lean too far back, pull the rear brake and BALANCE stops right away. It fits 24 to 29 inch wheels with tires from 1.5 to 4.0 inches wide and carries up to 120 kg (264 lbs).