Portable kicker ramp for BMX or MTB

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In another video we built a kicker ramp with a little down slope for beginners. That ramp now lives at Virginia Key Mountain Bike Park in Miami, right next to the teeter totter. It works exactly as designed, and the kids love it. This ramp will live a happy life, and teach many riders how to get air for the first time.

If you haven’t seen the video on that ramp, check the description for a link.

People have been asking me to build a bigger ramp, but that’s not going to happen until I have a place to put one. Even the last ramp was a pain to haul around. If I had a place to put a bigger ramp, I’d probably be building a dirt jump as we speak. In fact, what I really need is a smaller ramp that I can bring places. This would get far more use, and be an important prop in future videos. Let’s build one right now.

We’re buying one sheet of plywood because that’s the minimum amount we can get. We’re going to have a ton of wood left over. Because this ramp is small enough to bring indoors or leave in the trunk of a car, I don’t need pressure treated plywood or stainless hardware.

James is here to help me again, and to make sure that we’re following all safety precautions.

First we’ll trace the sides of the ramp on the plywood. It’s 3 feet long, 12 inches high, and has a downslope 6 inches from the end. This sloped part looks useless, but it’s there to stabilize the ramp and keep it from flipping forwards when you hit it going fast.

To trace a nice mellow curve, we’ll use the PVC pipe method. This bend should give us a pretty serious pop, without being too steep for mountain bike wheels. Now that we’re done tracing, we’ll cut out the shape with a jigsaw. Tracing another piece from the first one will ensure that both sides are identical.

With a chop saw, we’ll make our 16 inch cross bars from this 2x4. These will be fastened to the sides with deck screws to create the frame of the ramp. To cut our surface, we need to measure the curve, and add a couple of inches to the end. With a flexible ruler, this is an easy task. As is the case with plywood, it bends easily and stays in place with screws. A little sanding, and our portable kicker ramp is ready to ride. As you can see, we’ve barely used any wood compared to our last project.

Time to go for a ride. I actually don’t know many BMX tricks, but maybe this ramp will give me the opportunity to learn some.

This ramp turned out so lightweight, that I can carry it on my bike fairly easily. With a bike trailer, transport would be even easier. This gives us the opportunity to make any downslope into a landing, so I’ll be keeping my eyes open for more places to set this up.

If you want to build this ramp I think it’s easy enough by just looking at what we did here, but I left some basic measurements in the description. Yours can be longer, wider, or steeper, but I think that this size is a pretty nice balance for portability. If you’ve already built the last ramp, or even a ramp influenced by the videos on this channel, hashtag it so we can all admire it. Better yet, post a video clip! #SBHramp

Thanks for riding with me today, and I’ll see you next time.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: 12 inches
Width: 16 inches
Length (bottom): 36 inches
Length (top): 30 inches

So the slope at the back of the ramp starts 6 inches from the end. This part makes the ramp more stable by adding some footing.

MATERIALS
Some plywood. 1/2" or 9/16" is fine
One 2x4
Drywall or deck screws, not too long: 1 5/8" is good

TOOLS
Jigsaw
Drill
Chop saw or circular saw is nice, but you could use the jigsaw in a pinch.

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Seth represents true biker spirit. Only someone who truly loves to ride would troll around town with a kicker ramp on his back looking for creative downslopes in the heat of FL. That's just freaking rad. Not to mention the donation of the other ramp. Keep up the great work dude!

The_Sampler
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I like how he's wearing a helmet while he builds

xyzyzx
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I've used the ramp at Virginia Key a ton of times. It's helped me build confidence jumping. Thank you for it 🙏🏼

robc
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Seeing this really hit different from when i watched this when it was just uploaded, he now has a 3 car garage a ton of land and own trails

fedor
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Hi Seth,
i build the exact same mobile kicker today. It is great to get some experience in jumping.
Easy to build, portable and stable enough.
Thanks for sharing this video, this was the motivation to build it and put a focus on learning how to jump.
Also great to practice with my mates and analyze the videos to get better.
You made my day !!

Best regards from germany.

MB-dzhx
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2 VIDEOS WTF BEST WEEK EVER THANKS SETH

Vivauribe
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Seth, thank you!!! Just picked up a Sentinel, haven’t been on a bike in 25 years but stoked to shred. Enjoy all your videos even the rc ones!

warchild
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After watching this video, I called up my friend and we made a bike trail with a huge dirt jump. Thanks for the insparation👍

xx_robinh_xxyt
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Just built mine today. It slopes up to 18 inches over 3.5 feet of length. First time I've built one in my life (when I was a kid, my friend's dad built a few, but this is my first - in my mid 40s). Plan on using it with my mountain bike and fat bike...maybe as a "drop in" practice ramp for my skateboard. You have a a great channel. Thanks for the inspiration! Namaste!

HNXMedia
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Omg thanks so much for the vid. Me and my dad built it and had session on the ramp. It’s SO SICK!🤘

Ossi_McDiarmid
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i dont know what it is about your videos but i am addicted to them like drugs they are entertaining and sometimes funny.you never seize to make a good quality video and for that i say thats bro and ride on

Shaun_Remington
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"not going to build a new ramp until i have a place to put you have space now, it speaks for itself!

claz
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Hey Seth!
This really don't have anything to do with the ramp, but I would just let you know that I learned to wheelie and bunny hop because of you, you even got me back into mountain biking again. I'm having a great summer vacation because of you. Thank you!

victorewald
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Thanks for the great idea of building a portable kicker ! I will build one to take my riding skills to another level.

MB-dzhx
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Thanks for this!
Nice portable size and simple design. Going to build this with my 12 year old today - will probably go with 24" width instead of 16", and I may angle my upright ends a bit to match the curve of the top a bit more closely. Finally, may brush some epoxy onto entry point of the ramp just to slow down wear & chipping (or maybe that won't do anything, but will give it a shot).
Will definitely wear my helmet while using the jigsaw. :)

claytonscoble
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I just built one of these with my dad almost the same specs except more kick. Can’t wait to ride it thank you for this video

eddielalowski
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Got my son his first official 16 inch bmx. Gonna make him a mellow table top. Nice video Seth thanks.

jonon
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Just a awesome video, every second filled with great information, I'm inspired to build one tonight and try it tomorrow.

jimmylovesbikes
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Turned out awesome! Thanks for the video

mikevanantwerp
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The simplicity of this video is inspirational. I'm really glad I found this!

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