7tevoffun

Hi all,

I have a trek marlin 6 (2020) and I'm attempting to learn how to manual and american bunnyhop, but I'm noticing that the seatpost doesn't drop low enough to make it comfortable for me to lean back to get that front tire off the ground. I was curious if anyone has any tips or suggestions (cutting seatpost down?) to help me learn these things as I think I need to do it before learning anything else.

Thanks!

CodyDog

You may consider adding a dropper post.

Darth Lefty 

Yes, you can hacksaw some seat post off. Or get a shorter one. Or a dropper.

For those tricks you could probably just take it out

7tevoffun

I did take the saddle out for an hour when i was attempting to learn to manual; i more just wanted to find a more permanent solution for when i'm out riding around and want to bunnyhop/manual (don't want to stop, remove the saddle, then start riding).

It's not fun when the saddle smacks you in the ass when you're trying to bunnyhop.

NoWhammies

How does an American bunny hop differ from a Canadian bunny hop or say a Thailand bunny hop? Or any a bunny hop from any other country for that matter?

kingston 

Once you know how to do it you won't need to lower the seat. Plenty of guys can do those moves on a road bike.

qclabrat

wear a helmet, and post videos please
that's all I got...

carlosponti

two types of bunny hops british in which you pull the whole bike up in one move usually its not very high, and american where you step the bunny hop in a series pulling a manual first then lowering your toes to pull the rear up. American is used in trials to be able to hop up onto larger obstacles like picnic tables etc. I can do a british bunny hop but not american.

Darth Lefty 

^^^ They get different names regionally. My Socal freestylin' BMX brother in law calls it a J-hop when the front wheel goes up first and a bunny hop if level.

That's when he doesn't forget himself and call it an Ollie. Pretty sure "manual" comes from skating too.

7tevoffun

Haha I'm just asking for someone to take the video and post in on YouTube if I do that.

NoWhammies

Thanks for the explanation folks.

Re: doing an American bunny hop, there is a good Global Mountain Bike Network video someone posted a link to showing how to do a bunny hop. I am trying to learn to do one myself and while I am nowhere close to doing one, the video definitely gave me a good starting point. Even though I'm riding clipless, I want to learn to do a bunny hop the proper way and not be dependent on the clipless.

7tevoffun

I am using this video as well... it's a lot harder to take the manual and transition to pulling the handlebars up to your chest to start the bunny hop. I'm expecting a long time to learn it personally

NoWhammies

I hear ya @7tevoffun. I am still trying to get the L position right that the guy mentions in the video.

KDTX

Back in the BMX days ('80s). A "bunny hop" was both wheels off the ground at the same time. A "bronco" was front wheel up in the air first, then back wheel in the air. A "wheelie" was any trick with the front wheel in the air. A "manual" was a little pamphlet you read teaching you how to operate something.

qclabrat

I'm an almost 50yo who almost broke his back learning to manual last year.
Think it's about time I try again. Been riding for a while but the thought of sitting back behind the wheel is hard to figure out.
Most people say to learn how to wheelie first before the manual. But the concepts are the similar. Just needs practice and take it from me do it on grass....

SkierSue

Good to know, gclabrat. I am 61 and trying to do a manual so I can progress to jumping. I can't get the front wheel up very far even sitting over the rear wheel. Is it really just practice, practice, practice, or is their some key I am missing?

qclabrat

Most people recommend to learn how to wheelie (pedaling with front wheel up) before learning to manual. Reason I've heard is that it's less likely to fall backwards with the forward momentum and the pedaling stroke is a similar motion to initiating a manual. I'm just recycling info on the interwebz, watch some videos and try the wheelie yourselves and decide if it helps.