While recreational mountain bikers prefer to keep their tires on the ground, freeride mountain bikers take a more adventurous approach. Freeride mountain biking is an extreme discipline that involves aerial stunts. The backflip is a difficult mountain biking maneuver as it requires you to spin upside down for a brief moment. Freeride mountain bikers often perform backflip variations off steeply inclined dirt ramps, and freeride mountain bikes are often equipped with a dual suspension for increased comfort during high-impact landings.
Step 1
Wear a mountain bike helmet that features a polycarbonate outer shell to avoid serious injuries. Insert your hands into a pair of mountain bike gloves to maintain a proper grip throughout the backflip technique. Choose a mountain bike ramp that allows you to jump at least six feet above the ground.
Step 2
Pedal towards the mountain bike ramp until you reach a comfortable speed. Bend your knees as you begin to climb the inclined face of the ramp. Pull up on the handlebar grips as your front tire reaches the apex of the ramp.
Step 3
Extend your legs to jump vertically as you ride off the end of the ramp. Throw your head and shoulders backwards as you ascend into the air. Keep your feet aligned over the MTB pedals while initiating the backwards somersault.
Step 4
Lower your eyes to the ground as you reach the inverted position of the backflip. Pull the handlebars towards your chest to increase the velocity of the backflip. Lean forward as you flip around to ensure the tires stay parallel to the riding terrain.
Step 5
Bend your knees as the mountain bike tires make contact with the landing ramp. Engage the brake levers to slow the momentum of the mountain bike. Add variations to the backflip to increase the difficulty of the maneuver.
Tips and Warnings
- Practice the backflip into a foam pit to get comfortable with the necessary movements.
- The backflip is an advanced maneuver that can cause serious injuries if done incorrectly. Make sure that you're comfortable with more basic maneuvers before attempting a backflip.
Things You'll Need
- MTB helmet
- MTB gloves
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