It’s Embarrassing, But These 3 “Reverse” Drills Guarantee ENDLESS Manuals [ACTUALLY URGENT]
2024 ж. 14 Мам.
89 977 Рет қаралды
Manuals are hard. This episode shows you why and how to fix it simply.
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00:00 - Start
01:24 - How to Manual Step 1: Spring
04:20 - How to manual Step 2: Sit Back
08:19 - How to Manual Step 3: Slide The Feet
09:18 - Bonus: Common Mistakes & How to Fix them
#mountainbikeacademy #mtb #manual #howtobike
I’m a 64 yr old woman (not a granny) intermediate rider, and I go to the gym twice a week (HIIT class). It’s helping me not only with strength but with reaction, balance , and burst of force/ power. My sorta-manual is coming along. I enjoy your explanations.
My wife took me to a HIIT class at the YMCA and 100% the toughest people in those classes are 5 foot tall grannies. They kick butt!!! Thank you so much for watching the channel and your message!!!
@@mountainbikeacademyshe says she’s not a granny 👵
I wish I could introduce you to my mother and get her to ride or at least take her fitness seriously like you do. Love to hear stories like yours.
This is how I learned to bunny hop. I started with the first step. The springing part.
Fa sho!
Best manual video on KZhead. Been working on this for 5 years, including online coaching, making consistent progress but not quite there yet. This worked almost instantly, I was able to hold a manual for several bike lengths before I felt I was going to loop out and pulled the brake. Brilliant. The key was the hanging off the pole drill, and then bringing that to the bike after doing the stomp through the feet. I think this guy is onto something with the off-the-bike/on-the-bike exercises.
Yeah. I’ve joined every coaching program and reverse engineered everything for simplicity. Glad my homework helped you!
Hat's off to you for your tenacity!
@@dudeonbike800 Appreciated big time. In 10-15 years I'll be in your neighborhood and every other one too :)
@@mountainbikeacademythe reason I can’t manual is quite simple… it’s almost impossible to keep the balance point because even the slightest movement of my body or weight transfer and it’s all over , I’ve given up trying now. No video on KZhead can teach anyone how to manual . It’s bullshit
Holy sh#* dude!! You just taught me how to manual!! Finally, an explanation from someone whose broadcasting in my wavelength! I bet I would have never figured it out, with the normal "everybody elses" way of doing it.
Fun comment for sure! Very happy for you! Sounds like you put in the work and I just tapped it in the hole for ya lol. Birdie!
...profound tutorial! One minor thing to add: a good rear break with decent modulation will make manualing way easier. For holding the balance when going back and to avoid tipping over to the backside, the rear break is crucial...
True - glad you liked it!
I’m a bmx race coach. Once riders have grasped level pedals as such I love to teach them the front wheel lift. Before manuals I get them on a wall or fence and get them to balance for upto 10 seconds. Then move body forward and back. The next step I find is getting them comfortable stepping or hopping off the back. I will hold their front wheel the first few times. Only after that will I encourage a flat manual. Good tips thanks
Good progressions!
do you offer coaching?
I still can’t manual but this is a good deconstructed explanation of a frustratingly awesome maneuver. It’s the holy grail of coolness on a mtb. I’ll get there.
Join my coaching group I’ll get you sorted.
i like how this channel focuses on your physical capabilities off the bike first before learning anything on the bike. it strengthens my point that carrying your bike on your back when going uphill on a rough surface is very important if you dont wanna go to the gym. carrying your bike on your back uphill = manual skill
You are literally the #1 carry your bike ambassador, I respect your enthusiasm!
The pole drill -- I realized why I can't hold manuals - my legs/core aren't strong enough. For those of us that have to do dishes on a daily basis, you can practice at the kitchen sink, grab the end of the sink, then place one foot under the cupboard and the other on foot on the bottom of the cabinet door with the heel on the ground. It's just enough of a staggered stance that sort of mimics the pedal engagement. Switch legs to find your weak spot! Great manual video -- I really like that there is some off the bike practice that helps build that muscle memory.
Thanks maaaaaan!
With all my years of riding I could bunny hop and do void on trail but was never good at wheelies or jumping. Once I started getting the manual thing somewhat down,it did so much for me. I could finally jump and my ability to tackle terrain went through the roof. My balance and confidence was at a peek. It felt great and was my best fun on a bike
Epic
I’ve watched probably hundreds of video on dozen of different skills/tricks I can’t do… and it slowly dawned on me that what held me back the most was the athletic part. Can’t really bunny hop a bike if you can’t hop to begin with can you? I’m glad someone finally said it; sometimes you just aren’t fit enough to do all that stuff and that’s not automatically a bad news, now you can just train for it in a way that matters.
Exactly - that’s the right attitude too!
Thanks again for this.. will try put this into practice👌
Welcome!
Great video!! Your narrative is spot on. I'm having to relearn / remember these things. I got back into MTB after a 20 year hiatus. I look forward to viewing more videos.
Q for you if you have a second: www.loom.com/share/8146c53c48e943daaaccca9867f62a02
Learning how to manual is on top of my list for next season. I'll definitely try your tips as soon as the snow is gone!
Let me know! May have even more manual videos up by then too so stay tuned!
I was trying one of your hints from another video about how to corner, and that was removing my weight from my arms and let my torso float over the bike by using core muscles. Not only did it free my bike in corners but also wheelies, bunny hops and manuals suddenly improved in an instant. I now get my front wheel high up in the air so much easier and can finally concentrate on balancing. The bike and I were just this static unit before.
Awesome. I can see why I'm struggling. Best advice I have seen.
Glad you liked it!
Love the explanation of hanging of a pole... makes so much sense when thinking about it like that. Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
YOU NAIL THIS! THANKS SO MUCH!!
You're welcome!!
Thank you for this. Just happens to be perfect timing as I had set a goal for myself to learn manuals this year. And so far had been doing everything wrong😂 Can't wait to go put in some prctice with your drills. Cheers from New Zealand 🇳🇿
Cheers! To be completely fair there’s 3 or so approaches I share with riders and this is just one! Hope it’s helpful.
Nice tips! The other day I tried the spring front wheel lift and it was much easier to get the bike up and to around the balance point. I am still far from any meaningful manual but now I at least know how to "take off". Thanks!
Perfect! I literally made this video for ppl like you because hilariously enough I didn’t even know this until about 2 years ago haha. Been ridi my 20 years
thanks for the vid, great content man. Insta subbed, this video should have a million views!
Thanks mucho!
I've got a 2006 demo 8 as well. I've been trying to do manuals exactly the same you described. This video is probably the best video I've seen on manuals ever.
Glad it helped! I will make more. lol this is like 20% of what I wanted to share.
Great insights. I made all those mistakes learning and often got and get stuck in the tug of war especially when switching from bmx to Mtb. I like too how you didn’t mention brakes, whe I’m struggling with manuals I try to keep my fingers off of the brakes as that throws everything out fr. Thanks again!
Nice! I learned manuals on a bmx way after learning on a dh bike. Super interesting difference! Thanks for watching.
Best explanation ive heard ever!
Thanks!
Share it w friends if it helps!
Nicely done.
Thanks!
Awesome stuff, I have never heard it explained like that in all the years I've been trying to learn... I've actually gotten a few good manuals with the "tug of war" method, so I should pick up this method pretty fast. A huge thank you (will share)
Thanks so much! It’s not complicated lol. You got this!!!
Your video quality is spot on bro.
Appreciate it!
Very curious to try that out,manualling feel like flyng..best sensation for now on a bike for me also, just want to master it 😎 greetings from italy
Nice video. Thanks dude
Ya welcome!!! ✊🏻
i had my worst bike crash yet practicing manuals on asphalt when i kicked the bike out under me. with these instructions i might give it another try this year. wish me luck 😂 maybe ill start on grass too 😊
Be safe!
44yo rider.. Saw this video yesterday. Got on the bike today and immediately executed better manuals at will. Nearly every other tut neglects that initial spring. Previously I was inconsistent and often stuck with that tug of war feeling from trying to do the L that many other instructors talk about.
SUPER glad to hear this.
I found springing worked for wheelies. But never seen someone doing it, or even heard someone mentioned it's a wrong movement aka cheating. Still suck at manuals, hopefully it'll change this coming season. Thank for the vid!
Welcome!
Thanks for the video! Awesome tips! How about doing it on a non suspension bike, BMX? The beginning, the spring. Just same technique?
Good question - I will likely make another vid eventually on this. Short answer - not the same. If you watch any BMX rider getting EXTREME air they do one thing. They preserve the distance from their top tube and their torso, and even stand up further away from the top tube as the jump goes up. Obviously this isn't enough info to really action, but I wanted to make the point that there's really no spring on a fully rigid bike because theres no bike suspension to prime for action. IMO (and from limited personal experience, I'm a 6'3" lanky dude) it's 100% about your ability to perform extremely explosive moves very quickly OR have massive raw strength if you have lots of experience. reason being is that BMX riders are tough as nails and they might put off the vibe they "don't care" but actually they're extremely dialed athletes. So if you've been riding BMX for a long time...chances are you at least have a decent amount of raw strength or explosion in your body and your core is insanely strong - if you can pop in the air they those are required! If you struggle to pop on the BMX...it's all fitness until you have the minimum required fitness (again, raw strength or crazy explosiveness, or both), then it's all timing and technique. Hope this is helpful...I realize it's not super actionable but at least helps us define the difference between the two and why!
Got the spring thing nailed (only realy need to put a bit of pressure thru the feet these days), but I only do lazy manuals, for only a few seconds to float the front over nasty bits.....might have to try carrying my moves for longer durations. I'm just worried about inflaming my L5 which has some cartilidge degeneration goin' on....nuthin' I can really do about that!
For sure be careful and see a doctor/PT to get some solid medical advice! Shred hard! Whoop!
I definitely have - just something I've come to live with and don't worry about too much anymore. Might try to extend my manuals though....@@mountainbikeacademy
Nice video. I'm quite an experienced MTB rider but have always had issues holding mannys. Your second point in the tips bit I "think" is possibly where I'm going wrong. I'm quite a skinny guy and have quite rounded shoulders/hunched posture (things I'm working on) and I think I have a tendency to extend my arms forward using my shoulders, rather than keeping them strong with my chest and back. Does working on these aspects of my body sound like it might help? Cheers
Yeah if you improve your functional movement it can help for sure. Hop into the membership if you want some direct help on this
Pretty good stuff
Thank you thank you
Thank you very much explaining how to practice off the bike! How about the brakes? No breaking? No finger at the back brake?
What are your thoughts? I generally think of the brake as the safety stopper.
Sure, it is! But “pulling”/hanging on the handle bar while feathering the brake is difficult. 😅 Maybe it is easier to start trying slower without brakes? And when the drill is in my mussle memory I can add breaking/break control and speed?
Curious why you feel that’s difficult! Are you braking with 1 finger and is your lever set up properly? Are you using modern hydraulic brakes?
Probably I’m squeezing (too) hard in the grips, having too less control how hard to squeeze the brake. As safety stop no problem of course. I have to practice your steps first. And keep balance by moving my hips, then at first there is no brake feathering needed I guess. Which is different than making a wheelie. Hanging on a pole while the children playing at the local playground: ✅
lol the playground movement we’ve all been needing to be a part of
Two more reverse drills for easy manuals. 1. Literally reverse the stem on the headset. Unscrew the bars, rotate the stem 180 degrees backwards, and reattach bars so they are now behind the headset (but still facing forward). Really helps to achieve the weightless position without having to raise the front wheel up so high when lifting. 2. Practice on a BMX.
Bmx is so good
Lol on # 1. Not happening.
@@BikesHikesLikes yeah that would be a bit dangerous
@BikesHikesLikes Give it a try on a secondary bike and go to a flat rec field. I went from not being able to manual to maintaining the balance point for over 5 seconds. Seriously like magic. Can't ride it anywhere else though but excellent for training.
Fundamentally you have to be willing to take a few bad falls to learn to manual unless, and probably even if you have excellent reflexes. I can wheelie for literally over a km, hop on the back wheel, gap to back wheel, coast on the back wheel for over a bike length for drops and so on, but because I'm not willing to take the injuries from looping out and not catching it while traveling at speed in a manual, it'll never happen 😞. Every time I see a video about this it confirms that there is literally no way to learn this skill without running a serious injury risk - again unless you're one of the minority with the reflexes to save yourself on looping out.
Well now I’m super curious. If you’re willing to send me some video on your manuals I want to know how you are approaching them. I’ll see what I can share with ya. No strings attached. It’s just that I never had issues with bailing or dropping the front… and it took me a WHILE to learn manuals back when I was 20
@@mountainbikeacademy Having messed about with manuals for about the last 30 years - I picked up wheelies in a year or so around the start of that 30 years, I'm already quite satisfied that the limiting factor is that I'm unwilling to push to the balance point (Without dragging the brake to preemptively ensure I don't loop out) because I know from experience that my reflexes aren't sufficient to allow me to bail in a controlled manner. By that I mean in many cases I'm literally on the ground before I realise I'm falling. Probably the quickest indication that someone has potential to be a great technical MTB rider is if they develop the ability to manual and stoppie for long distances, especially with no brake use at all, within a matter of months after they start riding. It's not a given that everyone can get them, certainly most people I know can't manual (Except for a bike length or two, which is as much as is needed to hit drops or keep the front wheel out of a dip). Riders like Ali Clarkson are great to watch if you want a masterclass in manuals - he does them at walking pace along the top of narrow walls on a fully rigid bike...
@@peglor that might be fair - reaction and balance I’d agree is. Good leading indicator of riding success. I noticed people who were surfers and skaters are by far the best at picking up on riding at an alarming fast rate. Just my 2c
Is the springing motion different between a hard trail and full suspension?
Yes. I'll make another video for how to manual on a hardtail
I by far don’t have the manual down, but I think a really important part you left out is the importance of rear brake control in case you pull back too far.
I think it's obvious so I left it out tbh but point taken.
I’m a 52 year old. Mx rider that gave up on manualling…almost. I still try a little. I’ll be trying this tomorrow but wondering how would be with rigid bmx forks?
Probably a different approach- are you riding hardtail Mtb or bmx?
@@mountainbikeacademy BMX racing. I started later in life. I come into a section of the track too hot and get super squirrelly. Manualling would solve that. But yeah, it’s not easy.
How do you balance side to side though? I immediately tip over to the left or right once my front wheel leaves the ground. That’s literally my only problem and I’ve been trying for years.
Another video maybe. Tbh this is likely a symptom of poor control of movement because your core / posterior chain lacks functional movement or strength. Can also be a symptom of weak TVA and compensation.
I'm a bit handicapped so I need to ride with clipless pedals. Does your sliding-feet-thing only work on flats? Or does it just mean to push the pedals towards the front?
It just means you slide your feet forward or back relative to the body - feet don’t slide on the pedals!
@@mountainbikeacademy I was wondering already. 🤣
Grew up well into 20’s on a bmx bike with no brakes…a mtb with brakes is a cheat code.
For sure is
My back hurts already and i haven’t even tried this yet 😳
Your body knows what’s about to happen lol
I agree with everything, i would just add B for bail. Learn how to bail because looping out on hard and/or rough surfaces hurts
Then it would be BS lol
I love how you stress the importance of being fit and having a certain level of athleticism. While its true any trick can be done without those things its makes learning them far easier and safer.
It’s the biggest constraint in progress for almost any rider.
@@mountainbikeacademy I couldnt agree more, its a shame its not brought up more often.
How do these tips translate to manualling a BMX? Would you advise doing anything different?
www.loom.com/share/8ae9c3549858438ebb5d2c99f54533b8?sid=148aa4a6-f16a-4be8-80fc-1cb322ac9561
ok I'll give it a try
Lmk!
#1 always keep a finger on the rear brake.
Everyone seems to know this lol
When i used to ride bmx bikes, I got my manuals pretty dialed in and could go for as long as i had momentum to keep moving. The main thing is to dial in your balance point, you want to be able to pop the front end up and immediately be at your balancing point. The next tip i have is kind of stiffen your body and just try and work your hips to keep you at a steady balance point. Then practice practice and practice. Ps i had no rear brakes on my bike, so this was based solely on momentum and balance, if i went to far back and couldnt save it i had to hop off
That’s hard mode, with no brakes!
Any little kid at the skate park can manual. It's all intuitive, you don't need lessons just ride, and figure it out. Also, no one ever talks about rear brake finesse.
I think everyone talks about it so I left it out.
The secret is core strength. Not sure anything else matters.
It’s definitely important! I believe if you’re good at everything else but not at activating the transversus abdominus, there’s a huge cascading effect of other bad stuff
Does this also apply on hardtails?
Super good question- IMO way less so. If it’s a dirt jumper you just gotta get low, punch forward, and do it quick. I think I’ll make another video specifically for hardtails. Each of these videos takes 3-6 hours to edit so hang tight!
@@mountainbikeacademy Can't wait, subbed!
@@mountainbikeacademy appreciate it,cheers!
Does this change if you don't have any suspension?
Not much at all.
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Everyone that teaches manuals is really tall on a small for them bike, and they can literally get their hips behind the rear axle before the front of their bike even lifts. How about some lessons from someone with short arms and legs on a bigger bike. I have no issues with the techniques being taught here. They are all good and well explained.
Well- if you’re 5’3” and ride a medium frame 29 er you are going to have a bad time manualing lol. In all seriousness though you need to literally do the same thing in the video but with a more pronounced standing spring And you may actually have your hands higher than your head at the balance point, or feel as if it is. Modern trail bikes are not the easiest to manual sometimes!
@@mountainbikeacademy Thanks. That's exactly what I have to do. I am 5'10" on a medium, but with short arms and legs, limiting my ability to get behind the axle. I really only manual to take small drops if I am going too slowly to do them by just pushing my bike forward, and I really exaggerate the first move to make it work.
How do you feel about bike clips? Like / dislike...pros /cons..helpful in these situations to manual and more?
For manuals only downside is it’s real hard to bail if you lose balance. IMHO clips are for XC, dh racing, and people who like clips. I ride both and like both.
What raw bike is that in the background
Commencal furious
I need a new bike but my budget is £500 because I’ve recently been in a car vs bike situation
sounds likethe car won, sorry to hear that
I ride a demo 8!!!!!!😁😁😁
I wish I had kept mine but money was tight 10 years ago when I was trying to save for a ring!
The part my brain can’t work out is where does my weight sit? On my feet somehow still with my ass hanging off the back of the bike?
Goggles go on, Batman comes out
Lol
i liked the video just because you said Channuel and cannuel.
:)
Granule
Crumbs
@@mountainbikeacademy When I ride my mountain bike, I'm tryna do a manual, I think about the universe and realise I'm a granule.
@@johnwardle9667 lol actually not a bad strategy. Kinda deep but I dig it.
Watch this video fail me too XD
Hope you don’t fail
@@mountainbikeacademy it's 99% sure the fact that i'm not properly physically trained, despite doing okay in almost all trails i barely have developed anything that isn't my legs
@@Ferrari255GTO well if you want our help hop in the membership! Either way get after ittttt
@@mountainbikeacademy maybe i'll try once i get my dropper again, i've really been missing it ever since it broke. I'm a filthy casual and i don't like specifically training for one thing, i've been developing my skills as i went rather than looking how to polish them deeply, i'm in just for the fun even if others think i'm slow :D
Raised your hand if you got tire rubber burn on your butt in the first couple of days attempting it 🙋
LOL profile pic checks out WOOOOO
I could do that when I was seven. Nobody showed me how to do it
My 7 year old self had more game than my 20 year old self so I don’t doubt ut
I'm a big burly 40 year old man , and manuals are tiring for me to initiate . Meanwhile I see some young men and women who look like they are barely even trying doing manuals that are a month long
It gets easier as you get better… when I was learning I was 178 lbs 6’3 skinny guy and it was exhausting lol. Raw strength only carries you so far with manuals.
Does he use an anime filter on his eyes? 👁️👁️
Nah just a reflection of my light
I don’t know if it’s “helping” bro. I’m sitting in a transportation shuttle van watching this trying to “envision” myself on my bike that’s 2148 miles away from me right now.
That's quite a reach you have there
It's difficult to click on KZhead Face thumbnails
I don’t like making them I just see what makes people click lol
@@mountainbikeacademy Silly world we live in
I see your bike is really too small for you to ride on a trail but easy for you to manual. You should tell them that.
What makes you say that about the size of the bike? 🧐😀
It looks too small for you @@mountainbikeacademy
Would you really take that on a trail or to a jump track?
I've ridden DH / freeride courses on a dirt jumper with a single brake and trail bikes on big jump tracks. I'm 6'3" and I learned on tiny bikes. Most people ride bikes too big for them then wonder why they can't maneuver. However, that's my preference and I totally am not saying what anyone else should do. :)
@@mountainbikeacademy yes we agree you ride a small bike for your size. I think it's good to tell people learning that one problem is your bike is too big.
Sorry but this has nothing to do with fitness. This is all about technique and ability to balance.
Fitness includes balance, proprioception, coordination, functional and raw strength. These are precursors to Manuals.
@@mountainbikeacademy yes, that makes more sense to me now. Thank you.
Of course! TBH your comment is helpful to me...because I have a definition of fitness that's probably way too deep lol I hang out with professional movement coaches and functional trainers lol. I don't want to come across like I'm over anyone's head or confusing. Thanks@@tombeck129 !
Sorry guys, no lessons will make you do your manuals, just get on the bike and try thousands of times and I promise you'll do it!
lol u serious?
@@mountainbikeacademy very serious bro! I have more than 40 years of biking, BMX and MTB racing, riding trails, dirt jumps, skateparks, etc....I can guarantee you, it's just practice and more practice.
@@user-xk8xr8gs4f www.loom.com/share/62f6bcceeae442a88ad9379b4f41debd?sid=f44f2345-1898-4aed-a945-00583201158b
Melkfett
Hmm