ImTrynaSkid

I can wheelie, find my balance point, and go for about 4-5 seconds, but thats it. I have a very heavy mountain bike, and this is more than likely the issue, but I can't fix it because I just spent $300 on the bike and don't want to get another one. As far as manuals go, how in the world would I pick up my bike while going downhill, I can pick it halfway up, and feel like I can pull up more, but I feel like im going to come down extremely hard on the front wheel, which sketches me. Any advice on manuals, wheelies, or coming down from wheelies without damaging your bicycle?


Edit: Also, should I put my seat lower, I have seen this before alot, but also have seen that you should NOT sit down while doing manual. ????

TimothyH

Check out Skills with Phil on youtube.

Phil is excellent.




-Tim-

indyfabz

He's baaaaaaack!

BobbyG

I think a heavier bike makes it easier to "manual" or "wheelie" as we called it when I was a kid. At 11 years old I could ride my mom's 1950s pink and white Schwinn girls 26-inch duo-matic bike for blocks and blocks on the back wheel including wide turns. That bike must have been 40 pounds, at least.

My own bike back then, a much lighter, 24" green 1960s Schwinn Sting-Ray (Think 'The Wonder Years' TV Show) was much harder to ride a wheelie on even with it's flat-slick rear tire, 'banana' seat and hi-rise handle bars.

While frame geometry may have some part in balancing the bike on the back wheel, I distinctly remember the feeling that my own weight being a smaller percent of the total package made it easier to balance the bike.

I may be wrong, but thanks for reminding me of all that fun.

rumrunn6

isn't the MTB technique really just for getting the front wheel over an obstacle. not really for popping wheelies?

livedarklions

Next one will be the skidding manual maneuver.

ImTrynaSkid

what is that and how do i do it.

livedarklions

No use even discussing it until you get a particle accelerator and 457 pounds of shaving cream.


Just to make sure you know--I'm joking. I really would feel bad if you went out and bought the shaving cream. I'm not too worried you'll get your hands on a particle accelerator.

ImTrynaSkid

How do I manual with heavy bike, my problems: the front wheel goes down even though im leaning really far back, how tf would i lift my bike while im going downhill.

blakcloud

Did you watch the videos that TimothH posted? They were actually quite good.

As for your question on lifting your front wheel while going down a hill, I think that question should wait until you have developed the art of manualing. Keep practicing, watch videos you will get it. Learn one skill before moving on to the next.

A word to the wise here, don't respond to those who don't actually offer advice. Lots of people on this board have nothing better to do then to belittle others but there are a few really good knowledgeable and kind people who will offer real advice.

Keep practicing!!!!

MattTheHat 

As an off-road dirt bike rider for well over 40 years, I can say that wheelieing is a truly important skill. Not essential, but very, very helpful. I don't ride a bicycle off road much, but it seems to me that being able to wheelie is far less helpful on a bicycle. Whilst going downhill I would argue a manual or a wheelie is not too important, save for popping the front wheel over a small rock or stump or rut or something. I would forget about even thinking about trying to lift the front wheel while going down hill (or up hill) until you have learned to do it on flat ground.

One word of advise while wheelieing, and especially for learning to wheelie or manual is to cover the rear brake lever at all times. You said coming down hard on the front wheel sketches you out. Doing so is far better than the alternative, which is looping the bike.

-Matt

Flip Flop Rider

practice

TimothyH

I saw this in Times Square when I was up in NYC last Christmas.

Just felt like posting it.

Two guys rode them for blocks. Seems pretty useful to me.

REDMASTA

if you run out of tubes or shred a tire can wheelie home duh

GrainBrain

Thanks for the links Tim!

Thought I'd throw this video in from Doddy off gmbn. It shows him setting testing and setting up his new bike. Initially he had his bars too low on the stem almost causing him to flip over.

That's my current problem on my mtb setup for primarily flat and xc. I did a quick remedy to mine by setting my seat low enough to still be comfortable but also allowing my butt to get behind the seat quickly.

greatscott

I would like to add to what Flip has said: practice.

ImTrynaSkid

CAN ANYONE HELP ME. I cant manual.
I am not pulling up with my arms;
I can pop my wheel up easily;
Keep in mind I can't use my rear brakes because they are extremely extremely sensitive and causes my front wheel to slam down;
I need to lean farther back. but when i do I am literally forced off the bike because it is pretty much straight upwards in the air(going somewhat slow)
PLEASE HELP!!!
(I watched every single video and idk what im doing wrong)
could it be my pedal position, I am putting my right pedal down when trying to manual, could this be pulling the front wheel down?




--#1 World's Greatest Mountain Bike Skidder

downhillmaster

02Giant 

Manual...a new term for me.
Use your arms, your body weight, and maybe a quick pedal stab to assist in raising the front wheel. From there, it takes practice to find the balance point of your position on the bike and of the bike itself.
Back in the day, I could manual as far as I wanted to go, for me it was easier while sitting on the saddle.

ImTrynaSkid

I also sit on the saddle but my problem is I can't use my rear brakes so Its hard to find my balance point i keep practicing every single day but no progress. I try to see what im doing wrong instead of what am I not doing and still no help.

mstateglfr 

ImTrynaSkid

Psoff.

TheRef

Why is it called a Manual?

ImTrynaSkid

The cougar got out and im currently awaiting surgery in the hospital.

livedarklions

Seriously, I think you've probably gotten as much help as you can get online, and you really need to get some in-person advice, somebody who can watch you try to do it and maybe figure out a better way for you to actually do it.

Ask around town, at bike stores, near dirt trails, whatever, if there's anyone who does that kind of riding and where you might find them. Who knows, there might even be a club you could join. Maybe if you let us know what city or town you're in, somebody in this forum might know of such clubs.

I don't do this sort of riding, but my impression is that it's a lot more fun with other people.


Sorry I was teasing you before.