Gapping Technique.

[Krisboats]

I've recently changed my gapping technique from a rather dodgy hop to the edge from 2 feet away then jump straight away to a more controlled bounce on the edge and pinch gap.

I am struggling to get the technique 100% right though. I seem to go forwards without much upwards jump in the gap. Now i've recently been improving in distance rather rapidly. 2-3 months ago i couldn't manage 6 foot doing it this way, now i'm very close to getting 8 foot. But it just seems so hard getting that little bit extra.

I'm just trying to see if anybody has some pointers for breaking the high 7's low 8's barrier.

[Mark W]

If you feel like you're not going high enough, just focus on that on smaller gaps then work up from there. It's really just all about getting that pop off the edge. If you get that more controlled and refined, you win. Read my signature for proof of this - he knew where it was at.

[Krisboats]

If you feel like you're not going high enough, just focus on that on smaller gaps then work up from there. It's really just all about getting that pop off the edge. If you get that more controlled and refined, you win. Read my signature for proof of this - he knew where it was at.

Yeah, i tried that towards the end of tonight's session and kinda got it a bit more but i was tired, it was late, we'd been out for hours and i'd been hamering it. On top of that it was dark and night time makes everything seem harder

I guess i was just hoping for some magic blink twice in mid air for an extra foot or something instead of practise your technique and keep trying as i'm a tad impatient.

[Mark W]

The magical technique is just springing up like a b*****d and hoping for the best. Total win ensues.

[Otacon]

You don't need to take right off the edge mate. I can get like 8 ft 9/10 flat and i sorta take off from the edge, I leave myself around 5 inches or so to roll a little bit. But as Mr onzaboymarcus the third said, practice makes perfection, keep changing and tweaking up technique till you find the right one.

Just a little tip though, the preload is the most important part about gapping, I really pull the bike to my chest and jump up high on my preloads, i try and fold my rim when i preload, thats how i get the most power. Another tip, make sure your tyres at a good pressure, when preloadding, you dont wanna be rimming out, cause all the spring and power will disappear.

Hope this helps abit buddy, owt else, just ask

[Greetings]

To get more height you should change the timing and pedal-kick a bit later into the move.

I learned this technique from Tra's August 18 vid on the XTP. It's got some pretty damn good shots of him doing this, better than in other vids.

[Mark W]

You don't need to take right off the edge mate. I can get like 8 ft 9/10 flat and i sorta take off from the edge, I leave myself around 5 inches or so to roll a little bit.

Only thing with that is that on anything tech/narrow, you're basically going to have to learn to pinch gap it anyway...

[Otacon]

Only thing with that is that on anything tech/narrow, you're basically going to have to learn to pinch gap it anyway...

This is true, which is why i live the simple life

[Krisboats]

Only thing with that is that on anything tech/narrow, you're basically going to have to learn to pinch gap it anyway...

Yeah i ride a lot of rocks so thats not really an option unless i'm being lucky/lazy.

I guess i was being a tad too light hearted when i said about the magic technique. I was just hoping there'd be some sort of universal agreement on whether wrenching on the bars, stomping on the peddles or preloading to buggery would be the most vital part in seeing a decent improvement. Seems that when i try and focus on improving one aspect the others go out the window.

I also don't preload, or if i do, it's only very slightly. Boumsong is a regular riding buddy and he preloads like i don't know what, and by comparison i barely seem to yet still travel the same or slightly smaller distance.

I'll have a look into those TRA videos. Holding back on the peddle kick is something i'd not really have thought about so you could be onto a winner.

[Captain Scarlet]

I thought it through and gapping is essentially the same technique as side hopping, except that weight is carried forward instead of upward.

Just realising this made me improve me technique loads, such as pre-loads and respective tucking/extensions. Tyre pressures also has a big difference to pinch gapping as Danny said.

[Krisboats]

I thought it through and gapping is essentially the same technique as side hopping, except that weight is carried forward instead of upward.

Just realising this made me improve me technique loads, such as pre-loads and respective tucking/extensions. Tyre pressures also has a big difference to pinch gapping as Danny said.

Ah i overlooked this comment the other night. I tend to run my tyres really flat, no idea why really. But in all the clips i've watched i rim out before taking off.

[omgnoseat]

Something I would like to add, pinch gapping is pretty essential for rail gaps, you don't have room to "roll".

[Matt Vandart]

To get more height you should change the timing and pedal-kick a bit later into the move.

I learned this technique from Tra's August 18 vid on the XTP. It's got some pretty damn good shots of him doing this, better than in other vids.

Any chance of a link?