Jump Bikes
Jump bikes are solely designed for performing jumps and fill the gap between BMX and mountain biking. These bikes come in all shapes and sizes and fall into two main categories, dirt jump and urban.
In general, both dirt jump and urban bikes are small and beefy hardtails with tough components that can take the abuse of jumping ramps, skate parks, urban walls, ledges and concrete blocks.
Jump bikes typically have suspension forks with varying lengths of travel between 80-130mm depending on the rider's style. These forks are similar to mountain bike forks but are generally stronger with thicker posts. Riders that do more urban or skate park riding often like shorter travel forks, while riders that like to 'huck' and do huge gap jumps often like longer travel forks, but it really doesn't matter as long as they are strong.
These bikes can be used with 24" or 26" wheels, although some frames are made specifically for one or the other. These bikes are often ridden as single speeds bikes for simplicity but again some come with gears depending on the rider's preference. Usually frames are specially designed to run either with or without gears and cannot switch between the two.
Many top riders have now become professional athletes and perform stunts and jumps in events and competitions all over the world.
Prices range from around £200 to £1500
Examples are: Specialized P1 and P2, Saracen X1 Disc or the Giant STP 1,2 and the zero.
