The building materials of the bike ramp will affect the height and distance of your jump. Ramps that have been built with solid materials will offer increased stability and traction. If your bike has has been equipped with the proper type of tires, the distance of your jump should remain consistent.
Wooden Ramps
The wooden ramp remains one of the most common designs. BMX bikers use the wooden ramp to complete spins and flips. According to National Public Radio, BMX rider Kevin Robinson broke the world record for the highest bike jump on a wooden ramp. Robinson jumped his BMX bike 27 feet above the ramp. Ramp builders apply a thin sheet of composite material, known as Skate Lite, the the face of the wooden BMX ramp. This allows the tires of your bike to remain stabilized while rolling at a high rate of speed.
Concrete Ramps
Concrete bike ramps may offer the best traction for long distance jumps. Concrete ramps cost a great deal of money to construct and once completed, they will remain a permanent structure. You must equip your bike with the proper type of bike tires to fully take advantage of the concrete ramp design. Vital BMX recommends slick tires that do not feature a protruding tread. Tires with a protruding tread will slide across the concrete ramp and hinder your jumping ability.
Dirt Ramps
Contrary to popular belief, the dirt ramp does little to hinder the distance of your bike jump. In fact, advanced bikers can jump more than 20 feet while navigating through an off-road course. However, the success of the dirt ramp depends entirely on the construction process. According to Ride BMX Magazine, you must pack down the dirt with water to ensure the ramp remains stable. Trying to jump a dirt ramp with street tires will end in disaster. Equip your bike with knobby tires to improve the distance of your jump.
Plastic Ramps
Ramps that have been built with a flimsy material will hinder the distance of your bike jump. Many novice bikers purchase pre-assembled plastic ramps to learn the basic jumping techniques. Plastic ramps have the tendency to bend under pressure. As the ramp flexes, the tires of your bike will lose traction. This won't give you the added boost of more stable ramp designs. However, many skate parks across the globe house ramps that have been constructed of recycled plastic. These ramps offer a durable design and allow you to execute high altitude tricks.
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