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Manual Machine - will it help me learn?

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Dopaminer_09

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#6 ·
Problem I've found using these stationary manual machines, if that the lift is not realistic. It's pretty easy to thrust the hips back and up to get the lift when the back wheel is planted in place. Whole different ballgame when you're whole bike is active without any bump-stops.

I've thought a more realistic one to build would have the entire platform on a set of rollers so that the unit would slide back and forth creating a more realistic lift n hold feel.

BTW, I suck at manualling. Never learned how to do it it or wheelie in my bMX days, so now I'm 45 and kinda jammed against the fear of busting my butt going over backwards.
 
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#7 ·
I held off responding to the thread as my manual is no where near as good as my wheelies, not sure if I can be the spoke person on this subject. But, instead of building a manual machine, as a kid, I used to lean my bike against the wall next to the stair case and try to find balance point. This was the days when I didn't know how to hop around on the rear wheel. However, what really did the trick for me was a 20" bmx and practice after practice after practice. Smaller wheels allowed a much easier effort to loop yourself over compared to a full size bike with 100mm XC stem.

My current manual took 6 years of two-three times a week half an hour practice during lunch. Some skills you must put the time into it. The smaller wheels make it easier to get the feel.
 
#8 ·
kevin_sbay said:
Lollygaggin -- What particular exercises/drills did you do at pump track to help your manual? I'd love if you could share them, since I suck and want to suck less.
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It was the progression of speed - without pedaling

I found at a certain level of speed, think mostly around tightly spaced rollers, it felt good to leave the front up, and just pump the back - providing a good opportunity to practice the manual motion (which is really a lot of kicking out with your feet).

I would also try stuff like starting from a trackstand, and see how many rollers it takes to get up to top speed.
 
#9 ·
FYI, if you use a manual machine, you need to take your chain off. The chain provides tension for your cranks that you'll naturally use, but you won't have that tension when you're actually manualing your bike. So you may rock on the manual machine with the chain on, and find it's totally different when you actually try to manual. Also, small wheels are easier to manual. My 29er is definitely harder to manual than my 27.5 bike, even with the same reach and a shorter wheelbase.

Here's my contraption.
 

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#10 ·
I'm not really a fan of the manual machines. I think the action it trains is too isolated when compared to what goes on with an unassisted manual. If what is holding you back is that specific action then sure, manual machine away, but if not then I think it's better to just practice a lot and practice/develop the whole thing together.

For instance when I was first learning to manual I found that I'd pull harder with my dominant arm and skew the whole thing to one side. I can't imagine the manual trainer would help me correct that imbalance.

I think folks should remember that these things take lots of practice, the muscle memory won't develop in a day (though it might overnight) and the best training/practice safety is the rear brake and/or knowing how to bail. Also it's easier to balance when carrying a bit more speed (but seriously cover that rear brake).
 
#11 ·
Lollygaggin said:
It was the progression of speed - without pedaling

I found at a certain level of speed, think mostly around tightly spaced rollers, it felt good to leave the front up, and just pump the back - providing a good opportunity to practice the manual motion (which is really a lot of kicking out with your feet).

I would also try stuff like starting from a trackstand, and see how many rollers it takes to get up to top speed.
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Thank you. Some valuable insight, which I will put to use when the rain clears and track dries... hopefully soon!
 
#14 ·
I built a manual machine. It was kindof a fun project and only cost $15 in wood and an hour or 2 of time.

I haven't found it very helpful for learning manuals. As others have said, it is much easier to loft the front wheel on the machine vs a real manual. It is a good core workout though.
 
#15 ·
Loll said:
My current manual took 6 years of two-three times a week half an hour practice during lunch. Some skills you must put the time into it. The smaller wheels make it easier to get the feel.
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You could have learned Mandarin with all that effort ;)! I don't see myself ever putting in the time to get it. If I could go back to being a kid I would cut my video gaming down by 50% and be a damned wizard old man on the bike by now.
 
#16 ·
I can’t and didn’t try until this year, im 48. With all things bicycle I strongly feel you use the bike and only the bike. Rip Row, manual boxes, scooter bikes...if its meant to be you would have the skills to manual using your bike without attachments. Cheat codes don’t work with mtn biking. Clearing 12’ gaps, tail whips, riding chunk - gotta learn the good ol fashioned way.
 
#17 ·
Lollygaggin said:
no problem my dude, hope it helps

have you been to lake cunningham? thats been my go to spot for pumptrack/dirt jump

Need to call them and see if they have the dirt stuff draining well.
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Looking forward to Lake Cunningham summer hours, for my first visit. Right now, it's only Sat/Sun for the bike park :( I think the small track (Calabasas) near me doesn't really have rollers but more peaks, meant for jumping.

I did remember your post/suggestion when riding John Nicholas Trail today. They have some rolling sections, and practicing pumping/manuals was AWESOME!
 
#19 ·
Harry Mackenzie said:
I wonder how many young BMX rippers use these sort of aids for training?
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Zero. These things are strictly limited to middle-age and beyond MTBers who bought dropper posts thinking THAT would be the magic purchase that would make them all of a sudden be able to manual. Turned out that didn't work, so time go shopping for something else! :lol:
 
#20 ·
slapheadmofo said:
Zero. These things are strictly limited to middle-age and beyond MTBers who bought dropper posts thinking THAT would be the magic purchase that would make them all of a sudden be able to manual. Turned out that didn't work, so time go shopping for something else! :lol:
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Yep, my son learned to manual in about a week when he was 10 or 11 years old. But he also thinks falling is fun! He broke both arms at Skeggs last year, his response, 'it's worth it.'
 
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Lollygaggin
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