[SpAgetttt]

I use my Giant Revel 1 as my college commuter bike and I often go for bike rides through the city, where I encounter small sets of stairs that are more convenient to hop down than to go around. None of them are any more than 3 stairs. I discovered that I really want a steel framed beater bike with at least a front suspension, because "urban" riding is fun.

 

[Strikes]

I've knocked my rim untrue a few times from concrete curbs and stairs going UP before, but never down.

 

[86 slo-vo]

I've took my specialized hardrock off a few 3 foot drops from concrete to concrete

 

[Ken in KC]

It depends on your skill level...

If you have the skill level to land it, the bike will handle it.

 

[aerius]

As long as you don't land like a sack of bricks you can land sets of 3 stairs every day for years without killing your bike. When I was in high school I used to land a 5-set of stairs (it was probably closer to a 4-set since it was fairly shallow) to flat on my way to school every day. That was on a rigid bike in the days before suspension, well, it wasn't quite that far back but I sure as heck couldn't afford a suspension fork back then.

 

[John Kuhl]

It all depends on how smooth you are. If you are smooth
not a problem. If not, big problem.

Best, John

 

[SpAgetttt]

I guess I am pretty smooth

 

[frdfandc]

Here is a good indication of technique vs. equipment. Fast forward and watch the last 45 seconds. Or even better watch the entire thing.

 

[RBowles]

Here is a good indication of technique vs. equipment. Fast forward and watch the last 45 seconds. Or even better watch the entire thing.

I wish I posessed skills like that.:eekster:

 

[skullcap]

I love that video.

Back in college I used a Walmart Huffy for "commuting" around campus. High vandalism rate-it was the only thing people would leave alone. Anyway, I hopped it off a retaining wall that was about that same height onto a concrete sidewalk multiple times a day without any ill effects. Just watch that landing. Remember, legs and arms are nature's shock absorbers.

Edit: I also only weighed about 130 pounds soaking wet in college. If you're farther to the other end of the spectrum even a 3-4 stair height could be a no-no or at least require much more care.

 

[chksix]

Search for MacAskill and you'll see that 20ft drops are safe

 

[jlmuncie]

Stole this off the 29r forum

 

[Ilikemtb999]

Land straight and your bike will be fine. A 3 stair is nothing.

 

[Harold]

Here is a good indication of technique vs. equipment. Fast forward and watch the last 45 seconds. Or even better watch the entire thing.

Danny, is that you?

Sick skills. I think I'd be happy with half those skills.

 

[Kduce]

Here is a good indication of technique vs. equipment. Fast forward and watch the last 45 seconds. Or even better watch the entire thing.

Wow, that bike would decintigrage under me if I tried (key word try) any of that. I just broke a crank on a 5 foot jump on Saturday. My weight of 225 might also have something to do with it.

 

[sopwithcamel]

Anything more then a foot on anything othern a Jump Bike or Trial Bike is to high as the bike was not made the handle those types of stresses.

Here is a good example of what happens when you do stupid things on a bike.

 

[Ilikemtb999]

Anything more then a foot on anything othern a Jump Bike or Trial Bike is to high as the bike was not made the handle those types of stresses.

Here is a good example of what happens when you do stupid things on a bike.

Hahaha a foot? I jump larger jumps and drops on a cyclocross bike.

 

[bclagge]

Anything more then a foot on anything othern a Jump Bike or Trial Bike is to high as the bike was not made the handle those types of stresses.

Here is a good example of what happens when you do stupid things on a bike.

Yeah, I'm sure that guy only did a 2 ft drop.

I routinely do small drops and jumps on my entry level Trek - 4 stairs to concrete, 3 and 4 footers on the trail etc. I weigh 215 pounds without gear. Thousands of miles later and I'm still riding the same bike and nothing has broken (at least not from doing drops). YMMV

 

[Trekkml]

I have repeatedly jumped 4 to 5 feet without any isses. The only thing I suggest is not slamming down with unneeded pressure....good luck!

 

[PolishExperiment]

Hahaha a foot? I jump larger jumps and drops on a cyclocross bike.

Dual crown fork on a hardtail, not the brightest idea.

edit: Bah, that was meant to quote the picture