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Struggling to learn how to manual.

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Cranx650

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I've been struggling to learn how to hold a manual for months now. Every day, I spend at least an hour practicing and I've gotten nowhere. I am fairly confident in other areas and I can do a black diamond downhill trail with ease, except for the drop offs which require me to know how to manual. I've watched many different videos and read many different articles and I still don't know what I'm doing wrong. I can get my front wheel in the air, but I can't keep it there. I figured that one of my problems is that I don't have a completely flat area to practice it, but I fell that I should be able to do it on a slight incline anyway. Any advice? How long did it take you to learn this and what did you do wrong or right? Thanks,
-Jake
 
#6 ·
One old dude had an interesting approach: he installed the stem backwards, so he could raise the front wheel from the ground simply by shifting his weight back and hanging behind the saddle. It was very easy to control and keep the front wheel close to the ground.

From there he went to a shorter stem - still backwards - then the short stem facing forward and so on. Get comfortable with one setting before moving the bar forward.

With steps like this you can get started more easily and increase the challenge as you progress. Especially with the big wheels and long chainstays of modern XC bikes a manual is more difficult than before.
 
#9 ·
I, too, have been attempting this skill for months now. My only minor successes have been on the trail after coming over a roller. But, I can't ever keep it going longer than a few feet. I suppose I'll just keep trying or quit; watching videos doesn't seem to help.
 
#10 ·
I almost feel like riding wheelies and probably manualing also is one of those things you are good at naturally or not. I grew up riding dirt bikes and knew guys who could wheelie for miles.. I never could. I practiced all the time but never could find that balance point where you just sit back and wheelie... so frustrating. Same on a mtb. I can pick the front end up and wheelie a little, but Ive seen guys just go forever... really wish I could. Manualing is even more difficult, but I bet those wheelie kings have an easier time learning how to do it.
 
#11 ·
Hips down and but low before ever pulling up the front.

Low towards bars.
Hips down and back.
Raise bars by leaning back with straight-ish arms "pulling" bars.
Balance and fun!

I think a few of these are ok:



 
#12 ·
I can't do a proper manual either. I end up yanking the bars up to loft the front wheel a bit, but that's not how it's done. I happened to watch the above excellent videos recently and went out, tried again and still failed. Recently, when I was ordering a new bike at my local shop, I got to talking with the manager about lofting the front and he said it's imperative to have your seat well down and out of your way so you can scoot way back with your butt low. Upon watching the videos again, I saw how true that was. His butt is practically over the rear axle.

My next attempts will be with the saddle down - hopefully, I will do better. BTW, my new bike will have a dropper.
 
#13 ·
i certainly wish i had a dollar for every person who wants the quick trick to a manual. it takes tons of practice and landing flat on your ass. otherwise everyone would be rolling around on one wheel or another like it was the normal thing....
 
#15 ·
.WestCoastHucker. said:
it takes tons of practice and landing flat on your ass.
Click to expand...
True. However, knowing what to try/emulate helps avoid a lot of bad habit and shortens the trial and error. In this link:


@ 36sec... He gave me the best advice that wasn't called out in other 'how to' vids... That L shape. Don't cut the corner. Anyway...there's another vid that was super good for the OP but I can't find it yet. Somewhere.... Probably the steeziest and one of the most useful skills to learn. Still practicing!
 
#16 ·
.WestCoastHucker. said:
i certainly wish i had a dollar for every person who wants the quick trick to a manual. it takes tons of practice and landing flat on your ass. otherwise everyone would be rolling around on one wheel or another like it was the normal thing....
Click to expand...
I was trying a few weeks ago, landed flat on my rear and totally jacked up my back. It still isn't 100%, but I can put my shoes on now, lol.
 
#17 ·
I can only hold a manual for about 3-5ft or so please don't consider me an expert. However 3-5ft is enough for the riding I do on a XC 29er hardtail. For me to learn this I read books, watched videos, and practiced. It was not until I tried it on my son's BMX bike did I get the feel for it. The short top tube, smaller wheels, and low seat post make a manual much easier. The first time trying a manual on the BMX bike I nearly went over backwards. Then going back to the XC bike it is much harder to get that leverage, but you have the muscle memory and can loft the wheel off the ground a little more naturally.

As discussed you can try a power wheelie too, although not as fun if you are trying to carry some momentum and flow to your ride.
 
#18 ·
Cranx650 said:
I've been struggling to learn how to hold a manual for months now. Every day, I spend at least an hour practicing and I've gotten nowhere. I am fairly confident in other areas and I can do a black diamond downhill trail with ease, except for the drop offs which require me to know how to manual. I've watched many different videos and read many different articles and I still don't know what I'm doing wrong. I can get my front wheel in the air, but I can't keep it there. I figured that one of my problems is that I don't have a completely flat area to practice it, but I fell that I should be able to do it on a slight incline anyway. Any advice? How long did it take you to learn this and what did you do wrong or right? Thanks,
-Jake
Click to expand...
you dont need to manual to do drops. Instead get down low and push your bars forward as you go over the edge. If you are going really slow, then yeah a wheelie drop could be useful, but even if you are going 5mph you can do a regular huck.

some bikes are hard to manual. If your chainstay is > than 17.5" or so it can be tough.

the easiest way to get the feel is to ride up a grassy slope, your wheel will come up very easily (think when you do climbs you cant keep the front wheel down). The key is to get your butt past the rear axle. You dont need to pull up on the bars much as you weigh a lot more than the bike.
 
#19 ·
goodmojo said:
...the easiest way to get the feel is to ride up a grassy slope, your wheel will come up very easily (think when you do climbs you cant keep the front wheel down)...
Click to expand...
I learned that trick decades ago while riding dirtbikes. It is helpful on a variety of levels.
Not only does the front end come up easier, but the rear wheel will be less inclined (pun?) to move in front of your Center of Gravity and cause a loop-out. And speeds are generally slower.
Plus, every laborious, uphill grind becomes another opportunity to have some fun.

There is a quote someone has here in their sig. Forgive me for butchering it, but it's something like;
"There is no greater expression of unvarnished joy than a wheelie."
 
#20 ·
goodmojo said:
the easiest way to get the feel is to ride up a grassy slope, your wheel will come up very easily (think when you do climbs you cant keep the front wheel down). The key is to get your butt past the rear axle. You dont need to pull up on the bars much as you weigh a lot more than the bike.
Click to expand...
That advice is good for learning to wheelie. To manual, it is recommended to do the same but on a slight decline.
 
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