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.
SpAgetttt
It depends on your skill level...
If you have the skill level to land it, the bike will handle it.
If you have the skill level to land it, the bike will handle it.
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.
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 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.
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.
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!
i find it safer on the back to land moving rather than landing rigid. always land straight because that is its strongest point 
i routinely jump off rocks on the trails even with my old 400 dolalr gary fisher, i never had issues from jumping
i routinely jump off rocks on the trails even with my old 400 dolalr gary fisher, i never had issues from jumping
There's a lot of variables that come into play here. One thing that no one has mentioned is landing to a transition witch is a whole lot smoother and easier on the machinery then landing to flat. If you're landing to flat over and over, no matter what the bike...you're going to start busting up some *****.:madman:
If you are looking for a quick way to make a busted rim less likely to happen dropping stairs, put high pressure high volume DH/Jumping tires on your bike-that's your first line of defense.
The carbon bike trials rider is Chris Akrigg.
The carbon bike trials rider is Chris Akrigg.
I frequently take 2-4ft + drops on my 11' RH Hardtail. I'm also not a hack though.
Just gotta be smoooooove operata'
Just gotta be smoooooove operata'
I know this has been posted 1000 times but, just trying to say, technique makes all the difference!!
Danny MacAskill - "Way Back Home" - YouTube
Danny MacAskill - "Way Back Home" - YouTube
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