Filming yourself riding bikes usually sucks. But what if a drone could do it for you – no controller, no camera crew, just launch and ride? That’s exactly what the HoverAir X1 Pro claims to offer. A drone that flies itself and follows you down the trail. I put it to the test in four different MTB scenarios – including my own sketchy backyard trail – to find out if it lives up to the hype… or crashes out.
What Makes the HoverAir X1 Pro Different?
- Self-flying, no controller needed
- Tracks using body/face recognition
- Compact, beginner-friendly size
- Modes: Follow, Sidetrack, Orbit, Manual
- Great for solo riders, vloggers, or content creators
Test 1: Open Field Tracking (The Paddock Test)
The first test was a literal field test – a wide-open paddock with no trees, just rocks, cow poo, and thistles. It was perfect for seeing how well the HoverAir could track without any obstacles.
- The drone tracked me with surprising ease
- I tried Sidetrack mode for a more dynamic angle, which looked great but wouldn't work well with trees close by
- A great starting point for beginners and very easy to use
Test 2: Flow Trails at Mt Stromlo
Next up: fast and flowy MTB trails with occasional trees. A real-world scenario to test tracking at speed on real mountain bike trails.
- The drone struggled on the first fast run and clipped a tree
- After re-launching and riding at a more relaxed pace, it performed much better
- Captured an awesome follow shot on the second attempt
- Tip: ride at a pace the drone can realistically track. Riding too fast can cause the drone to have jerky movements that don't look good on video
Test 3: Big Jumps at the Local Jump Park
This one got chaotic – windy, rainy conditions made things difficult. The goal was to test how the drone handled big jumps and quick movements.
- Couldn’t track past the second jump
- Likely struggled with the quick up/down motion and bad weather
- Manual mode via phone was awesome
- Tested 60fps slow-mo mode and it looked amazing
Test 4: The Ultimate Torture Test – My Backyard MTB Trail “Snake Run”
Time for the real challenge: my hand-built backyard trail, Snake Run. It’s tight, twisty, full of bushes, trees, drops, and a massive corkscrew wooden feature. Could the HoverAir survive a full top-to-bottom lap?
- Multiple crashes, including one brutal tree impact
- Amazingly, the drone survived and kept flying
- Tracked me through drops, berms, and even the corkscrew with some patience
- Tip: slow down before tight corners and let it catch up
Performance Summary
- Shockingly durable – survived multiple crashes
- Delivers great MTB footage when flown within its limits
- Struggles in tight trails, windy conditions, or high-speed jump sections
- Solid camera quality at 4K
- Manual mode offers a helpful fallback option
HoverAir X1 Pro for MTB – Frequently Asked Questions
Is the HoverAir X1 Pro good for mountain biking?
Yes – it’s one of the easiest drones for hands-free MTB filming. While it’s not made for tight singletrack or super fast descents, it can capture great riding footage on flow trails and open terrain.
Does the HoverAir X1 Pro avoid trees?
Not really. It doesn’t have side or forward obstacle avoidance, so it’s best to avoid tight wooded areas unless you're riding slow and steady.
What’s the best setting for MTB footage?
Use Cycle Mode at 4K. Slow down before tight corners to give it time to catch up and maintain a good angle.
Final Thoughts
I wasn’t expecting this little drone to survive Snake Run… but it did. It’s not perfect, and it definitely has limitations, but if you’re a solo rider who wants awesome footage without a camera crew, this is the easiest way I’ve found to do it. Just maybe don’t test it on your sketchiest trail straight away. Know it's limits and you will be getting awesome footage in no time.
Want One?
I’ll be using the HoverAir X1 Pro more in future Cutlaps videos – and if you want to check it out for yourself, here’s the link to HoverAir.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and keeps the trail builds going – cheers!
