Dirt Jump Bikes

A dirt jump bike is a tough, stripped-back hardtail built for jumps, pump tracks and skateparks rather than trails. Think of it as a cross between a BMX and a mountain bike, with a strong frame, one gear, a short-travel fork and geometry tuned for getting air and landing hard.

You can, but it's not what they're built for. Dirt jumpers are heavy, single-speed and set up for airtime, not distance, so they're inefficient to pedal and uncomfortable over longer trail rides. For jumps and pump tracks, they're perfect; for trail riding, a hardtail MTB is the better tool.

Because you don't shift mid-air. A single gear keeps the bike simple, light and tough, with fewer parts to break if you crash. The gearing is set to get you up to speed quickly into a jump line, which is all you need for pump tracks, skateparks and dirt.