Am I just crap, or is my bike the wrong size/shape?
Discussion
Afternoon,
To cut to the chase, I can't, and never have been able to wheelie, manual, or bunny hop a bike, or take drop-offs.
It feels like the bike weighs a tonne, and my whole bodyweight is on the handlebars.
If I sit up straighter to take weight off the bars, I can't reach them.
I've had the current bike a few years, nothing special, a hardtail Trek. 18in frame, and I'm 177cm tall.
Am I just s
t and lack mad skills (y0!), or is there something wrong with the bikes setup.
I can get the front wheel up about 4 or 5in, at speed, the rear wheel feels like it's raising off the ground, but it won't be more than an inch or two at best.
Oh, and I'm not a powerfully built director, 11(ish)st of flubber, am I just a weakling?
To cut to the chase, I can't, and never have been able to wheelie, manual, or bunny hop a bike, or take drop-offs.
It feels like the bike weighs a tonne, and my whole bodyweight is on the handlebars.
If I sit up straighter to take weight off the bars, I can't reach them.
I've had the current bike a few years, nothing special, a hardtail Trek. 18in frame, and I'm 177cm tall.
Am I just s
t and lack mad skills (y0!), or is there something wrong with the bikes setup.I can get the front wheel up about 4 or 5in, at speed, the rear wheel feels like it's raising off the ground, but it won't be more than an inch or two at best.
Oh, and I'm not a powerfully built director, 11(ish)st of flubber, am I just a weakling?
Move seat back and shorter stem? Moving a seat backwards generally takes weight off the arms - easy to see why...
Bend over when not on a bike. You stick your bum out, don't you? However, you're balanced and no weight on the arms.
Now, try doing it (near settee or whatever) without sticking yer bum out. Now, you've either got weight on your arms, or you've actually fallen over and are resting on your forehead. I set my bikes so that i can assume riding position with hands off the bars using my core for support - that way once your arms are in play neither arms, shoulders or back end up achey
Bend over when not on a bike. You stick your bum out, don't you? However, you're balanced and no weight on the arms.
Now, try doing it (near settee or whatever) without sticking yer bum out. Now, you've either got weight on your arms, or you've actually fallen over and are resting on your forehead. I set my bikes so that i can assume riding position with hands off the bars using my core for support - that way once your arms are in play neither arms, shoulders or back end up achey
bike sounds about the right size, so unless you have your seat post up too high to allow for such shenanigans or you have a really long stem then it's probably not your bike.
how long have you been riding?
wheelies and bunny hops take a while to master, and are frustrating when you are trying to learn
how long have you been riding?
wheelies and bunny hops take a while to master, and are frustrating when you are trying to learn
Side on pic of you on the bike please.
Assuming everything is OK size wise.
Wheelies
Low gear. Normally middle ring, big sprocket is a good start
Pedal slowly then accelerate a bit.
AS you accelerate. Throw ALL your weight backwards. Yank on the bars.
The idea is to OVER rotate the first time. So you end up standing behind the bike with it on the back wheel. Don't clip feet to pedals or toe clips. You want to be able to get off easily.
Do this several times.
Eventually you'll get a feel for the balance point.
The aim then is to get to that point. Then hold it at that point.
If the front starts to drop, more pedal
If the front goes to high. small dab of rear brake.
You'll get there in the end
Assuming everything is OK size wise.
Wheelies
Low gear. Normally middle ring, big sprocket is a good start
Pedal slowly then accelerate a bit.
AS you accelerate. Throw ALL your weight backwards. Yank on the bars.
The idea is to OVER rotate the first time. So you end up standing behind the bike with it on the back wheel. Don't clip feet to pedals or toe clips. You want to be able to get off easily.
Do this several times.
Eventually you'll get a feel for the balance point.
The aim then is to get to that point. Then hold it at that point.
If the front starts to drop, more pedal
If the front goes to high. small dab of rear brake.
You'll get there in the end
I am able to pop some half decent wheelies on my MTB, using the rear brake to correct any potential disasters........Tried the same on my road bike the other day. Caliper brakes are many times less efficient or grabby then disk brakes, this resulted in me looping straight off the back, tearing my new saddle and a considerable graze on my elbow, all with my feet still in the cleats. I am a 45 year old knobber, not Peter Sagan.
Get some tuition is my suggestion!
Chances are, the reason you can't do any of those basic moves is because your whole position and basic technique on the bike is wrong.
Biased i am, but i can't recommend Tony at UkBikeSkills enough!
UkbikeSkills
He'll sort you out, to the point where, with practice, the world is you oyster ;-)
Hops & stands:
Proper cornering:
Jumps & Drops:
And much much more!
I am by no means a "natural" on a bike, and i didn't start properly mountain biking till in my mid 30's, so if Tony can teach me to be Reasonably Rad (TM) on a bike, he can teach you ;-)
Chances are, the reason you can't do any of those basic moves is because your whole position and basic technique on the bike is wrong.
Biased i am, but i can't recommend Tony at UkBikeSkills enough!
UkbikeSkills
He'll sort you out, to the point where, with practice, the world is you oyster ;-)
Hops & stands:
Proper cornering:
Jumps & Drops:
And much much more!
I am by no means a "natural" on a bike, and i didn't start properly mountain biking till in my mid 30's, so if Tony can teach me to be Reasonably Rad (TM) on a bike, he can teach you ;-)
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 6th May 20:40
Oh, and having looked and seeing you are in Yorkshire, this guy is worth a visit too:
Great Rock, with Ed Oxley
Great Rock, with Ed Oxley
Dave^ said:
JEA1K said:
If you are unable to perform a wheelie or bunny hop before the age of 11, then I would serious give up!
This is/was kinda my fear... 
Thanks for the advice chaps... See you in A&E...
Old dogs can learn new tricks, I'm 40 and only started riding XC recently, never been able to bunny hop ever, but since i stopped putting my saddle up in the maximum power roadie position and dropped it a bit I no longer feel like I'm riding a toppling skyscraper and can manual rollers and drops, lower CoG is helping me enjoy twisty stuff more too. (6'2" riding an XL Scott Aspect 740 Hardtail, which in saddle up position is friking massive!)
Dave^ said:
training is something I've thought about before, but thought I'd look a bit of a tt...
In my experience, whilst you might feel a bit self conscious when being taught to "ride a bike" (although frankly, you'll be having so much fun you won't notice!) you'll feel less of a wally than when you completely fail to pull off a "rad" move due a lack of skills in front of a group! ;-)t...If your bikes st and your st you need tutorial. And or a new bike.
Heavy st bikes don't jump, they'll get air but you won't land it in good shape. The landing will be jolty, throw you all out of shape and if you can't hold it, throw you off.
Ive just got a 29er cube acid hard tail. After setting the front air shocks for me it's the most compentent hard tail I've ever jumped. It lands beautifully and stays on line without any jittery st.
Want to jump ? Get balance, spend more money .
t and your st you need tutorial. And or a new bike.Heavy s
t bikes don't jump, they'll get air but you won't land it in good shape. The landing will be jolty, throw you all out of shape and if you can't hold it, throw you off.Ive just got a 29er cube acid hard tail. After setting the front air shocks for me it's the most compentent hard tail I've ever jumped. It lands beautifully and stays on line without any jittery s
t. Want to jump ? Get balance, spend more money .
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