Post by CripTiK on Nov 26, 2007 20:39:32 GMT -5
I decided to write this up because it seems this question gets asked a lot and it is somewhat of a difficult skill to master. By no means am I an expert but I have gathered up all this information to help me learn how to manual and it has helped out tremendously so I thought I would share it. I have been working on manuals for about a week and have been able to go 20' very inconsistently with 10'-15' being the average...but most of them never make it to 10'. I can't wait to see where I am at in a couple of months.
Don't be afraid to play around with the suggestions below...remember they are guidelines. So use what works and discard anything that doesn't.
Things to consider when rolling up to manual
Find a fairly flat surface or one with a slight decline as it will help keep the bike in motion.
A manual doesn't require a lot of arm movement if any at all so if you are adjusting your balance by using your arms, you are in for a very long day. I keep my arms slightly bent but somewhat stiff in a very relaxed sort of way. It might be easier to start off by keeping them straight.
Decide which foot you like in the front. As I pedal up I notice that I manual better when my right foot is forward. I guess it is more natural for me since I ride goofy whenever skating/surfing/snowboarding.
Keep your knees slightly bent and the balls of your feet on the spindles of your pedals. You can play around with how much bend you have in your knees to determine what works best for you.
Bringing the front end up
I like to drop my butt low and over or behind the rear axle hovering over the rear tire. As you roll your weight back-wards pull, don't jerk, the bars. Push down on the pedals like you are trying to point your heels to the ground. Keep in mind that you are trying to keep things smooth as it will help you find and hold the balance point more easily. The front wheel goes up with the pressure of the legs on the pedals.
Look ahead and not at your tire, I like to look out to something in the distance to help keep my head up. Your body has a natural tendency to go where ever you are looking so if you are looking at your tire, you are also looking toward the ground.
Holding the balance point
This is the hardest part of the manual as you are trying to find and hold the balance point. So when you find that balance point try to remember how far back you were leaning, how bent your knees were, how fast you were going, etc..
Here is the basics of controlling your balance point: if you start to loop out bend your knees and if your front wheel starts to drop straighten your legs.
The more technical way to stop looping out is to pull your stomach toward the bars to send your weight forward. This is also referred to as "Humping the Air". You can also try and feather the brake which will make the front end dip down.
I would suggest to just learn how to pump your legs and use stomach thrusts to keep stability as it will help in locating and then holding the balance point.
Other tips
Experiment with going fast or slow to see which one you find easier.
Try manualing sitting down if it helps you to keep your balance.
I also tried adjusting my bars which seemed to help with manuals.
Roll up to a picnic bench and lift your front end so it lands on the bench. Keep doing this but increase the distance to the bench.
It's all about finding a way that works for you, remembering it, and then practicing.
I have also included some video links:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-Nn4Z5WVIg
www.expertvillage.com/videos/bmx-manuel.htm
video.google.com/videoplay?do...arch&plindex=0
video.google.com/videoplay?do...arch&plindex=7
Don't be afraid to play around with the suggestions below...remember they are guidelines. So use what works and discard anything that doesn't.
Things to consider when rolling up to manual
Find a fairly flat surface or one with a slight decline as it will help keep the bike in motion.
A manual doesn't require a lot of arm movement if any at all so if you are adjusting your balance by using your arms, you are in for a very long day. I keep my arms slightly bent but somewhat stiff in a very relaxed sort of way. It might be easier to start off by keeping them straight.
Decide which foot you like in the front. As I pedal up I notice that I manual better when my right foot is forward. I guess it is more natural for me since I ride goofy whenever skating/surfing/snowboarding.
Keep your knees slightly bent and the balls of your feet on the spindles of your pedals. You can play around with how much bend you have in your knees to determine what works best for you.
Bringing the front end up
I like to drop my butt low and over or behind the rear axle hovering over the rear tire. As you roll your weight back-wards pull, don't jerk, the bars. Push down on the pedals like you are trying to point your heels to the ground. Keep in mind that you are trying to keep things smooth as it will help you find and hold the balance point more easily. The front wheel goes up with the pressure of the legs on the pedals.
Look ahead and not at your tire, I like to look out to something in the distance to help keep my head up. Your body has a natural tendency to go where ever you are looking so if you are looking at your tire, you are also looking toward the ground.
Holding the balance point
This is the hardest part of the manual as you are trying to find and hold the balance point. So when you find that balance point try to remember how far back you were leaning, how bent your knees were, how fast you were going, etc..
Here is the basics of controlling your balance point: if you start to loop out bend your knees and if your front wheel starts to drop straighten your legs.
The more technical way to stop looping out is to pull your stomach toward the bars to send your weight forward. This is also referred to as "Humping the Air". You can also try and feather the brake which will make the front end dip down.
I would suggest to just learn how to pump your legs and use stomach thrusts to keep stability as it will help in locating and then holding the balance point.
Other tips
Experiment with going fast or slow to see which one you find easier.
Try manualing sitting down if it helps you to keep your balance.
I also tried adjusting my bars which seemed to help with manuals.
Roll up to a picnic bench and lift your front end so it lands on the bench. Keep doing this but increase the distance to the bench.
It's all about finding a way that works for you, remembering it, and then practicing.
I have also included some video links:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-Nn4Z5WVIg
www.expertvillage.com/videos/bmx-manuel.htm
video.google.com/videoplay?do...arch&plindex=0
video.google.com/videoplay?do...arch&plindex=7