Build a bike jump
As a kid, who hasn’t built themselves a bike ramp at some point? I know I had many afternoons in the woods across the road from us constructing small jumps from iron sheet and stuff I found lying around.
OK, so it wasn’t exactly bike park kickers and table tops and frankly all I learnt was how to fall off but it was kind of fun. Which was why this DIY bike jump caught my eye…
Over on the – frankly odd – Instructables website they have all sorts of DIY projects. I stumbled across this ‘build a bike jump for kids‘ tutorial referenced in Cyclelicious recently and wondered if some of our more able DIY-ers might be tempted to have a go. And I don’t mean you Colin, having seen your tool shelf ‘in the flesh’!! Sorry!
To be honest, I’m quite tempted by the idea myself. Somehow it’s awakened a memory I hadn’t known existed and the idea of having my own bike jump available could mean my jumping skills come on in leaps and bounds (gedditt?!). The more I think about it, the more it seems this find might be up there with the Bike Plow (sic) but without having to wait for the snow.
Of course, this would be built strictly ‘for the kids’ but there’s no harm in Dad trying it out in the interests of structural integrity is there? I don’t think I’ll be sticking it out in the street though, I don’t want the neighbours to talk. Not anymore than they do already. Maybe we could take it down the park some evening and practise while no-one’s looking?
Honestly, what could go wrong…
About the author
Matt is one of the founding Molefathers of the Muddymoles, and is the designer and main administrator of the website.
Having ridden a 2007 Orange Five for many years then a 2016 YT Industries Jeffsy 29er, he now rocks a Bird Aether 9 and a Pace RC-627.
An early On-One Inbred still lurks in the back of the stable as a reminder of how things have moved on. You can even find him on road bikes - currently a 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105 SE, a much-used 2011 Specialized Secteur and very niche belt drive Trek District 1.
If you've ever wondered how we got into mountain biking and how the MuddyMoles started, well wonder no more.
There are 6 comments on ‘Build a bike jump’
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Dandy says:
You’re just a big kid, Matt; and you need to go on a ‘jumps’ course. … can I come too, please mister, please?
Also, I suspect a few other ‘Moles of a certain age’ might sign up too (eh, Stig?)
Not sure about the snow plough though.
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Posted on July 21, 2010 at 9:56 am
TurnerGuy says:
Bloody neighbours – if it wasn’t for them I would have some rollerblades, some of those pro-jump stilts (http://www.pro-jump.co.uk/pp/Buy-ProJump-Stilts/Adult-ProJump-Stilts.html) and all manner of good stuff…
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Posted on July 21, 2010 at 10:32 am
Stig says:
Oh, yes indeed. An afternoon with Jedi is on the cards.
I may be 40 years old but i am still plenty young enough to learn how to jump without taco-ing front wheels, bending saddles and anything else I may have damaged in ‘developing’ my ‘skills’
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Posted on July 21, 2010 at 1:30 pm
tony says:
Stig I really would like to go on a Yeti training day too. We could go and I could take you to A&E on the way back 🙂
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Posted on July 21, 2010 at 1:48 pm
paul901 says:
“As a kid, who hasn’t built themselves a bike ramp at some point?”
I can’t believe there’s only 5 years between us Matt. In the mid 70s I just wanted Campag hubs and brakes and thought every kid did. A jump was when you got a head start on your mates in the sprint, lots of laughs!
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Posted on July 21, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Erick says:
I’m sure we’ll all be fine doing some jumps and tricks. Just like in the old days!
The only difference though (as I learned during my short downhill session with AndyC a few months ago) is that you won’t bounce off the ground as quickly as you used to after a hard landing…..
But hey, this is why we have kneepads for right?
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Posted on July 21, 2010 at 5:35 pm