How to Choose the Right Airbag for Backyard Mountain Bike Jumps

Looking to progress your tricks, but not sure how to choose the right airbag for your mountain bike stunts? You’re not alone! 

Being a savvy mountain biker and stunt kicker is all about making smart decisions, after all, and getting the right airbag is monumentally important. 

We’ll help you strike the right balance between finding an appropriate challenge that develops your MTB skills while preventing anything that puts you or any of your fellow riders at risk.

Your setup should match your riding level, the tricks you want to learn, and the available space you have. Gravity Stunt Systems offers two main styles, and each one shines in a different kind of practice session.

Who We Are

At Gravity Stunt Systems, we’re here to help! We are a family-run business that started creating landing gear for our own kids, and things just sort of – shall we say – took off from there when we didn’t see what we were looking for on the market, both price-wise, convenience-wise, and most importantly, safety-wise.

Fortunately, we’re just as passionate about and talented at designing cool stuff for aerospace engineering as we are about mountain biking! 

As a result, our worlds collided and got us some really out-of-this-world options, including the Pluto Lander for our newest kickers, the fiery Mars Lander for our most experienced riders, and a Lunar Lander for all of your giant leaps and daring mountain bike jumps from your backyard.

It’s what happens when we’re a family of builders who like to send it big, and know the science behind making it happen.

Flat Airbag vs. Landing Airbag

What’s the Difference?

Both styles help riders practice more safely, but they do not feel the same once the wheels leave the lip. One gives you a broad, cushioned target for backyard mountain bike jumps. The other feels closer to landing on a real jump line.

A young rider smiling and posing in front of a flat airbag outside

Flat Airbag

A flat airbag gives you a wide, level landing zone with a very soft feel on impact. It is a smart pick for riders who are learning new tricks, working on body position, or building confidence before moving on to dirt or a shaped landing. Gravity’s flat bags use a softer upper chamber for impact and a firmer lower chamber for support. For home riders and families, that plush feel can be a big confidence booster.

Landing Airbag

A landing airbag is shaped more like the landing you’d want for backyard mountain bike jumps. Instead of dropping onto a flat surface, you follow a slope that feels more natural for MTB progression. That makes landers a strong choice for riders who want to practice jump timing, bike control, and trick consistency that carries over better to real riding. Sizing remains important, since the bigger the jump, the more landing space you’ll likely need.

How to Choose the Right Airbag Style for Mountain Bike Stunts?

Choose a flat airbag if you want:

  • A softer landing feel
  • Room for first attempts and repeated tries on jumps
  • A versatile bag for backyard mountain bike jumps

Choose a landing airbag for:

  • A more realistic jump landing
  • Progression that feels closer to trail or jump-line riding
  • A bag matched to ramp height and rider level

A Small Hint

If you are still torn, think about what gives you the most peace of mind. Riders getting comfortable in the air often love the flatter, more forgiving feel. Riders focused on jump progression usually want a true lander.

However, if you have the space, why not convert your yard or the end of your neighborhood into a pop-up bike park and opt for both?

A Gravity bike ramp in front of an everyday
Example of a Gravity airbag in someone’s backyard
MTB bike catching air before landing on the pad
A biker attempting a complex stunt on a Gravity airbag
A group of young mtb bikers taking part in backyard

Standard Stunt Airbag Models

Gravity Stunt Systems keeps the lineup pretty straightforward. Each model is built around rider level, jump size, and the kind of backyard mountain bike jumps you want to practice, so families, weekend riders, and progressing athletes can find a bag that makes sense without overspending or arranging for a session at a bike park. 

Explore our ready-to-roll options and choose the right airbag for mountain bike stunts, and get ready to 

Play hard, land soft!

A smaller Pluto inflatable ramp, perfect for backyard mountain bike jumps for young and brand new riders

Pluto Lander: For Beginners

The Pluto Lander is the entry point for younger riders, first-time jumpers, and anyone working with smaller ramps in the 1.5 to 3-foot range. Its compact footprint makes setup easier and helps turn a backyard practice area into something usable fast. If the goal is learning takeoff basics and getting used to airtime, Pluto is a very friendly place to begin.
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Lunar Lander: Beginners to Intermediate

Once a rider starts clearing more confidently and moving into bigger backyard mountain bike jumps in the 3 to 5 foot range, the Lunar Lander makes a lot of sense. It gives you more landing area without feeling oversized for home practice. This is a great middle step for riders who have the basics down and want more room to progress and smooth out their form.
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A Mercury lander in use with a biker jumping over it during some backyard mountain bike jumps

Mercury Lander: Intermediate to Expert

The Mercury Lander is where things start getting serious. It is built for riders pushing into bigger air, stronger bike control, and more advanced tricks off ramps around 5 to 6.5 feet. The longer bag and larger surface give riders more margin for backyard mountain bike jumps while still keeping the feel appropriate for real jump progression.
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Example of a Mars Lander in use for backyard mountain bike jumps

Mars Lander: Expert to Pro

The Mars Lander is the big one for expert and pro-level riding. It is built for riders who already know they need major landing space and are dialing in large tricks with commitment. For bigger ramps and bigger sends, that extra size is part of choosing the right tool for the job.
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A Moon Base flat airbag in use for backyard mountain bike jumps at dusk

Moon Base: Flat Airbag for Versatility

The Moon Base is Gravity’s flat-airbag option, and it fills a different role than the landers. Its 20-by-20-foot flat surface gives riders a broad, soft target for backyard mountain bike jumps before taking them to a shaped landing or dirt setup. That makes it especially appealing for families with mixed skill levels or riders who want one bag for a wide range of practice days.
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FAQs

Can one airbag work for more than one rider in the family?

Yes, sometimes. It depends less on age and more on how similar the riders are in jump size, speed, and goals.

If one rider is just learning while another is chasing bigger tricks, it may be smarter to choose the bag that better supports backyard mountain bike jumps for the more advanced rider in the family, or ask about the best compromise.

How soon will my airbag arrive?

If you’re ordering a standard mountain bike airbag from the contiguous U.S., your order will arrive in as few as two weeks! For anywhere outside of the contiguous United States, including internationally, expect shipment to take 6-8 weeks. Custom orders will take a little longer, but will be totally worth it. We’ll give you a time estimate along with a price estimate, too. 

PS, shipping is included with your order!

How much space should I plan for besides the bag itself?

Plan for more than the listed bag dimensions. You will usually need:

  • room for the ramp and approach
  • enough rollout after the landing zone
  • clear space around the setup for smoother sessions

Measure the size of your space and compare it to the landing bag you’re looking for. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out. If your exact sizing needs don’t match what’s currently available, explore how we can build custom ramps for mountain bike jumps for backyards, cul-de-sacs, or other places with less standard dimensions! 

What if I am between models or planning something custom?

That is a good time to ask questions before you order. If your ramp height, riding level, or yard layout sits between two options, getting guidance can save money and frustration. A custom recommendation can be especially helpful for backyard mountain bike jumps if your backyard setup needs to grow with your rider.

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