Best manual tip that I haven’t heard in a video yet: when getting the front wheel up, keep you chest up. If you let your chest fall your hips can go really far back but it undermines getting the front wheel up. Great video ben 👍
I also have one - before you start the manual, use your rear brake to find the biting point and leave your finger just before it. So your finger is basically at the end of the free stroke. It is then much easier to modulate the braking power.
I have been doubling down on the episodes in the last few weeks. I love mountain biking and love learning new skills. The manual has eluded me after two years of practice and now I feel encouraged to keep trying with some new tips like jumping off the back.
Back in days when I was 17 years old and ride dirt/street bike love to do 180s barspins and the mostly.. hundreds of meters long manuals ❤. It was a really good feeling when I started practice it and get to that point (you know, when you get it, and go longer and longer). After that (at around 2010) I stopped riding bikes until 2022. I buy an xc bike just for fun, sport and riding on the streets and some dirt roads. A few days ago I feel so nostalgic and started to practice, and d@mn, I want it so bad to do this trick again :D , I hope it will be easier to learn it then back in "the good old days" :D. I feel like a child, I can't wait for the next riding. Thank you for this video, it brings meg strength to practice 😊
fastest way i got to learning manual is getting comfortable on how to loopout/bail out when the front gets to high while moving slow. did that for a week or two on my backyard 1-2 hrs a day then after that balance point with brake modulation.. after 2 months of consistency on practicing 1-2hrs a day non stop i can finally manual.
I love that the goal of each stage isn't to get into a manual. This is genius! Prevent frustration through simple achievable movements until all the pieces are there. Quality presentation. Might actually get me to learn it.
30mins practice with your explanation in this video i progressed from 0 control in my manual to beginning to understand what i really need to do and now i can get 2-3 seconds of manual. Thank you guys very much. :)
Best manual tutorial yet, been trying the to and from the trails manual routine and can confirm it helps, more so if there is a nice sunrise in the background shot 🤘
I really wish I had learned this when I was younger. At 58 it's kind of hard to manual with an electric mountain bike but I'm starting by learning how to coast with my wheelies and sit in the balance point without peddling or braking.
The best thing that worked for me was practicing bunnyhops so that you can lean back as hard as you want and practice fine tuning it, you get tons of confidence from doing this and in turn it’s way easier to bring your front wheel up
PS: I would love a vid on how to do a one handed wheelie, as I find this impossible! How do you take one hand off w/o the whole bike instantly twisting and the wheelie ending?!
Best tip not in the video... Look ahead and not at your front wheel. I can't manual reliably yet, but that one step has seen my improvement rate increase.
Wish it were true for me. I can manual BMX and DJ just about as long as I my muscles can hold up - and without using brakes at all. But so far my full-suspension mountain bike just won't cooperate.
Hey Ben, I was wondering as a tall rider do we have to do something different to manual. I know the basic mechanics are the same, but do you think being tall makes it harder or easier? It's always hard to make that call because after all, we're not short. I'm 6'6" and 280 - I'd love to be 100lbs lighter, but that's a pipe dream. Anyway, just curious if there's any advantage that you think we have, or vice versa. Thanks👍🏼 Oh yeah, can you apply that question to all skills, and if you think of anything let me know? I'm talking intermediate to advanced stuff.
Hey mate..i have now emtb giant reign e+ 2023 (160mm front fork) The bike is 26kg. I can do manual? Very heavy..,i now very good the tecnic of manual...but feel heavy. I make a 60% from the balanc point. Thanks guy 38, 80kg.
Naw. Squat over your seat and shift back just behind the rear axle. You don't even need to compress anything. You can practice this with your rear brake locked if you're afraid of doing it while moving
Practice. Practice some more. Keep practicing. Do some more practice, then do even more than that. And when you’re done practicing, you’ll find you need a bit more practice. Get on your bike with the same mindset you did years ago when you were 10 and learning to wheelie... keep going until it just happens, might be a few weeks, might be a few months, but keep practicing. And when you’ve mastered it? Keep practicing ....
Okay... I got this brake issue where I'm putting new brakes and rotors on my bike. Question: Does having big, juicy, powerful brake rotors make it harder to modulate the braking for getting better at wheelies and manuals? Thank you for these videos!
I'd say, go from easier to harder: wheelie, short (1-second) manual, bunny hop, manual. However don't be afraid to mix things up, often trying unrelated techniques will bring new insights to the main trick you're learning
I learnt the bunny hop first, it was more usable for me and my riding. You have to have the weight shift/front wheel lift figured out but you don't need to hold the wheel up there or anything. Honestly, learn the one you're most excited to learn first. It'll all shake out in the wash.
I can bunny hop but can't really hold a manual or a wheelie consistently for more than 1.5meters. bunny hop feels easier for me because it is one smooth motion and not some crazy balancing thing.
Been practicing Manuals clipped in. Not a fan of flat pedals. I fear this will slow my progress down. Because of the fear of looping out and not being able to out my feet down. Don’t wanna change my pedals tho. Not sure how to go about this other than mastering it in increments and not falling backwards
You will be fine as long as you master the rear brake grab when things get out of hand. Looping out is really only to see how far you can go with front wheel up. For manuals you need speed. You dont wanna loop out of manual at speed. Trust me. I learned recently to manual and didnt practice looping out at all.
I still cant reliably tell just by looking at a bike next to a rider, is that a 29er or a 27.5? If you held me at gun point (which is really not cool man) id say "its a 29er, now get that gun out of my face."
I remember doing this stuff with my friends when I was like...9...10...and we called it "goofing around". Never has goofing around become so complicated.
My friend put this bike together for his son and before I knew it he was done th-cam.com/users/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L When the son came to put it together he was surprised to see it was already done. All he had to do was take the bike to get air and be on his way. My friend did not have any major problems putting this bike together; small issue was putting one of the brakes on straight; however when the son got home he was able to fix it. The bike rides well gears move correctly; good bike for the price. Wrote review after the son took the bike. Sorry.
The only thing I would add, which I give all credit to the Deakonator... There is a tendency to point your toes down when you shift your hips back --> think about dropping your heels instead.
Ok I’m just going to watch this ONE LAST VIDEO on how to manual then I swear I’m out there practicing!!
As a beginner this series is lovely. If only there wasnt half a meter of snow and -15°c outside hah. I'll be back when spring comes, mark my words!
Same here
Haha
I'm watching this in bed while eating an ice cream bar
Yep, but -25°C, so I'll wait a couple of months
What color do you want your words marked in? :)
These videos are everything a tutorial video should be. Instructional, motivational and good fun. You are the perfect host Mr Cathro!
Best manual tip that I haven’t heard in a video yet: when getting the front wheel up, keep you chest up. If you let your chest fall your hips can go really far back but it undermines getting the front wheel up. Great video ben 👍
I also have one - before you start the manual, use your rear brake to find the biting point and leave your finger just before it. So your finger is basically at the end of the free stroke. It is then much easier to modulate the braking power.
I’ve only ever heard this tip in one tutorial video so far
I have been doubling down on the episodes in the last few weeks. I love mountain biking and love learning new skills. The manual has eluded me after two years of practice and now I feel encouraged to keep trying with some new tips like jumping off the back.
Shout out to all my 50 ish mates learn'n to manual!!! Great video!! 💪💪💪
at 63 im just starting to manual, im kind of wondering if i have enough time left to ever really get it !
U got it
U can, definitely, but need coach 😅
Update required. Have you mastered the manual?
After about a month of trying everyday, I was able to loop out! Woohoo!
Best "How to Manual" video EVER!! (I could also just listen to you talk forever!) 🤩
Thanks for this video. I reached my first 100 m manual with 29er mtb after 3 years practicing. The best record of me 😁
After 3 years??? 😮 I did it after 8 months and I am 44.
Finally!! I’ve been waiting for you to do this video!!! Ben Cathro is to mountain biking, what David Attenborough is to nature documentary’s. 🙏
Old?
Best thing I ever did was master the Manual. It took me an entire summer, trying every day on my commute to and from work.
Ha I wheelie my commuter to and from work every day, it’s been so good for learning!
Back in days when I was 17 years old and ride dirt/street bike love to do 180s barspins and the mostly.. hundreds of meters long manuals ❤. It was a really good feeling when I started practice it and get to that point (you know, when you get it, and go longer and longer). After that (at around 2010) I stopped riding bikes until 2022. I buy an xc bike just for fun, sport and riding on the streets and some dirt roads. A few days ago I feel so nostalgic and started to practice, and d@mn, I want it so bad to do this trick again :D , I hope it will be easier to learn it then back in "the good old days" :D. I feel like a child, I can't wait for the next riding.
Thank you for this video, it brings meg strength to practice 😊
fastest way i got to learning manual is getting comfortable on how to loopout/bail out when the front gets to high while moving slow. did that for a week or two on my backyard 1-2 hrs a day then after that balance point with brake modulation.. after 2 months of consistency on practicing 1-2hrs a day non stop i can finally manual.
I love that the goal of each stage isn't to get into a manual. This is genius! Prevent frustration through simple achievable movements until all the pieces are there. Quality presentation. Might actually get me to learn it.
30mins practice with your explanation in this video i progressed from 0 control in my manual to beginning to understand what i really need to do and now i can get 2-3 seconds of manual.
Thank you guys very much. :)
Been practicing Manuals for Weeks now. I am getting better and better.
Best manual tutorial yet, been trying the to and from the trails manual routine and can confirm it helps, more so if there is a nice sunrise in the background shot 🤘
I think your video is best, very detail, good job!🚴♀️
A lot of good bits and pieces here. Breaking it up in components of a manual help me diagnose my strong and weak points as well. Thanks!
It’s equally important to practice in such a beautiful place as Ben is here
Can confirm that practising any of these things on a full suss is a lot more tiring than on a 26' hard tail DJ and definitely a limiting factor.
Lot of videos on this but few like yours explain it clearly 👏
I thoroughly enjoyed, and learned a LOT in Season 1 of #HowToBike, Season 2 is equally as good, and Cathro is a hoot!!!
Спасибо за лучшее руководство по этому навыку. И за большую мотивацию👍 будем учиться
I really wish I had learned this when I was younger. At 58 it's kind of hard to manual with an electric mountain bike but I'm starting by learning how to coast with my wheelies and sit in the balance point without peddling or braking.
The best thing that worked for me was practicing bunnyhops so that you can lean back as hard as you want and practice fine tuning it, you get tons of confidence from doing this and in turn it’s way easier to bring your front wheel up
I learned english bunny hop by watching this channel. it's best
Ben is so good !
Conquer the fear is the most difficult part for me.
Such beautiful lighting!!
You are awesome. Good advice and your presentation is "fun".
Love the back wheel ✊🤘
How to do a manual:
1) find a vacant road with a mild downhill slope.
2) practice continuously.
Ben Cathro " Im not going to teach you anything new that you havent seen in all those other videos"
The world - "You just did"
Brilliant as always.
Cathro is simple the best
Great tip about jumping off with both feet, I’ve been doing it with one and its not nice.
Ben is the best. :)
Thank you
good!
I was doing one in my dream last night if felt pretty sweet. Done some pretty good ones actually as well but don't have em dialed.
God blessyou bro!
This video came just in time as I just started to learn manuals
Great vid. I can wheelie no prob., but after 3 years of trying still can't manual! This year!!
PS: I would love a vid on how to do a one handed wheelie, as I find this impossible! How do you take one hand off w/o the whole bike instantly twisting and the wheelie ending?!
Is there a chance to get that intro music ? Would be great ringtone :D #HowToBike ?
Best tip not in the video... Look ahead and not at your front wheel. I can't manual reliably yet, but that one step has seen my improvement rate increase.
저에게 많은 도움이 됩니다❤
You had me until the left handed rear braking LOL
If you learn manuals on a Bmx bike, You can hop on almost any bike and conquer 🚲🤘
Wish it were true for me. I can manual BMX and DJ just about as long as I my muscles can hold up - and without using brakes at all. But so far my full-suspension mountain bike just won't cooperate.
could you make a teaching video about bunny hop?
Hey Ben, I was wondering as a tall rider do we have to do something different to manual. I know the basic mechanics are the same, but do you think being tall makes it harder or easier? It's always hard to make that call because after all, we're not short. I'm 6'6" and 280 - I'd love to be 100lbs lighter, but that's a pipe dream. Anyway, just curious if there's any advantage that you think we have, or vice versa.
Thanks👍🏼
Oh yeah, can you apply that question to all skills, and if you think of anything let me know? I'm talking intermediate to advanced stuff.
Hey mate..i have now emtb giant reign e+ 2023 (160mm front fork)
The bike is 26kg.
I can do manual? Very heavy..,i now very good the tecnic of manual...but feel heavy. I make a 60% from the balanc point.
Thanks guy 38, 80kg.
Naw. Squat over your seat and shift back just behind the rear axle. You don't even need to compress anything. You can practice this with your rear brake locked if you're afraid of doing it while moving
2 minutes in and I'm wondering: which skill is best to learn first? Wheelie or Manny?
Practice. Practice some more. Keep practicing.
Do some more practice, then do even more than that. And when you’re done practicing, you’ll find you need a bit more practice.
Get on your bike with the same mindset you did years ago when you were 10 and learning to wheelie... keep going until it just happens, might be a few weeks, might be a few months, but keep practicing.
And when you’ve mastered it? Keep practicing ....
Hi!
Damn, really called me out in that first 20 seconds...
My bike is in the shop 😢 for new parts though!!!:))))
@nicegrammeonlyone_pinkbike hmmm idk bout that like
Okay... I got this brake issue where I'm putting new brakes and rotors on my bike.
Question:
Does having big, juicy, powerful brake rotors make it harder to modulate the braking for getting better at wheelies and manuals?
Thank you for these videos!
no... the more expensive brakes the better modulation
🔥🔥🔥
What is it's purpose?
When I manual my wheel wants to keep coming up I do t know how to bring it back down
What kind of bike do you have and what brand is 11
How do you actualy jump out of bike when you loop out if you have clipless pedals
Your forks look really soft. What percent sag are they for this video?
How bad is it to have clips for this technique?
I can never get my front wheel more than a foot off the ground, while stretching all the way back.
Lets be honest, is a 270 lb payload asking too much of a santa cruz carbon reserve rear wheel when manualing? asking for a friend.... :)
whats the natural progression here? wheelie, manual, bunny hop? or manual, wheelie, then bunny hop?
I'd say, go from easier to harder: wheelie, short (1-second) manual, bunny hop, manual.
However don't be afraid to mix things up, often trying unrelated techniques will bring new insights to the main trick you're learning
I learnt the bunny hop first, it was more usable for me and my riding. You have to have the weight shift/front wheel lift figured out but you don't need to hold the wheel up there or anything. Honestly, learn the one you're most excited to learn first. It'll all shake out in the wash.
I can bunny hop but can't really hold a manual or a wheelie consistently for more than 1.5meters. bunny hop feels easier for me because it is one smooth motion and not some crazy balancing thing.
Been practicing Manuals clipped in. Not a fan of flat pedals. I fear this will slow my progress down. Because of the fear of looping out and not being able to out my feet down. Don’t wanna change my pedals tho. Not sure how to go about this other than mastering it in increments and not falling backwards
You will be fine as long as you master the rear brake grab when things get out of hand. Looping out is really only to see how far you can go with front wheel up. For manuals you need speed. You dont wanna loop out of manual at speed. Trust me. I learned recently to manual and didnt practice looping out at all.
@@Iggy52 sounds reasonable. I did just recently slap on a pair of flat pedals so hopefully this will make me feel a bit more “safe”. Lol!
👍👍👍
So, let’s see if this video would have prevented me snapping my ankle while trying to do a manual
Yeah, I didn’t use brakes
I still cant reliably tell just by looking at a bike next to a rider, is that a 29er or a 27.5? If you held me at gun point (which is really not cool man) id say "its a 29er, now get that gun out of my face."
I thought i was the only weirdo wearing a long jersey with shorts😂
I remember doing this stuff with my friends when I was like...9...10...and we called it "goofing around". Never has goofing around become so complicated.
missed step 1 going mach10 down an asphalt road and wrecked my ankle. cant recommend.
God Europe looks beautiful
Scotland ❤️
🤟🏼🫡
I meant to say I’m 11
My friend put this bike together for his son and before I knew it he was done th-cam.com/users/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L When the son came to put it together he was surprised to see it was already done. All he had to do was take the bike to get air and be on his way. My friend did not have any major problems putting this bike together; small issue was putting one of the brakes on straight; however when the son got home he was able to fix it. The bike rides well gears move correctly; good bike for the price. Wrote review after the son took the bike. Sorry.
The only thing I would add, which I give all credit to the Deakonator... There is a tendency to point your toes down when you shift your hips back --> think about dropping your heels instead.
"this is just every manual video you've already seen"
proceeds to explain how to manual the best I've ever seen