BMX Term
Mini Ramp
A mini ramp is a small halfpipe, usually under about 2 metres (6 ft) high, with two curved walls, a flat bottom and no vertical section at the top.
Updated 2 min read336 words
A mini ramp is a small halfpipe. It has two curved walls facing each other, a flat bottom between them, and a deck at each end. A mini ramp is usually under about 2 metres (6 ft) tall and has no vertical section at the top.
Meaning
A mini ramp is two quarter pipes joined by a flat bottom. Riders pump back and forth between the walls, doing a trick on each side. The coping on top of each wall is used for stalls, grinds and lip tricks.
There is no fixed size, but some rough guides help:
| Feature | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Height | Roughly 1 to 2 m (about 3 to 6 ft), sometimes smaller |
| Flat bottom | Often a few metres long |
| Vert | None, the walls stop short of vertical |
Bigger ramps with a section of vertical wall at the top are usually called halfpipes or vert ramps. Some mini ramps add extensions, hips or a spine to make them more varied.
Minis suit many tricks: 180s, fakies, stalls, grinds, tabletops and barspins are all common. They are a classic first ramp for a backyard build.
Origin
The mini ramp developed alongside skateboarding as a smaller, cheaper and safer version of the halfpipe. Backyard ramps spread in the 1980s after many early skateparks closed, and minis were a popular, more affordable option for both skateboarders and BMX riders. The exact first use of the term is not documented.
Usage examples
- "We built a mini in the backyard over summer."
- "He's been learning to drop in on the mini."
- "The mini session went until it got dark."
Building note
Building a mini ramp needs solid framing, a smooth surface and safe coping. Follow tested plans and see how to build a backyard ramp for general advice.
Related terms
- Quarter pipe: a ramp with one curved wall.
- Transition: the curved part of a ramp.
- Deck: the flat platform at the top of a ramp.
- Bowl: a concave pool-like structure with walls all round.
- Spine: two quarters back to back.
Frequently asked questions about Mini Ramp
How tall is a mini ramp?
There is no official size. Most are somewhere around 1 to 2 metres high, roughly 3 to 6 feet, with no vertical section, and small ones can be under 1 metre. Anything taller with vert at the top is usually called a halfpipe or vert ramp.
Is a mini ramp good for learning?
Yes. A mini ramp is one of the best places to learn pumping, dropping in, stalls and simple grinds, because the walls are short and the speed is manageable.
Related articles
Quarter pipe
A quarter pipe is a ramp with a curved, quarter-circle transition that rises from flat to a vertical or near vertical top edge, used for airs.
2 min readTransition
Transition is the curved surface of a ramp that connects flat ground to the top edge, and it is often shortened to tranny in BMX and skateboarding.
2 min readCoping
Coping is the rounded metal or concrete edge along the top of a ramp or bowl, used by BMX riders to grind, stall and transfer between surfaces.
2 min readDeck
A deck is the flat platform at the top of a ramp, quarter pipe or box jump, where riders stand to drop in, stall, plant or land tricks.
2 min readDrop-in
A drop-in is the move of entering a ramp or bowl from the deck by tipping over the coping into the transition, or a drop from a ledge down to flat.
2 min readPump
Pump is the technique of building speed on a bike by pushing the body and bike through bumps and transitions rather than by pedalling.
2 min read