Learning to do tricks

[jonboy]

Re:

Having been out on my bike more times in the last few weeks than the last decade, I am having fun learning to wheelie again. Used to be able to endless coaster wheelies down anything with a slight gradient. (is that called a manual?)

Managed a few 30 - 50 metre wheelies the other day but i wasn't entirely in control of the direction of travel towards the end. Coaster wheelies are still a good few practices away still but i can feel the 'balance' coming back! The kids love the fact their 43 year old dad can do wheelies. :facepalm:

 

[Trialsmeister]

Re: Trick riding..

The Deakinator, put out a video recently, based around the skills...

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH5YKxvOSh8[/youtube]

All good stuff.

My 1994 GT Zaskar at 16" is still my favourite bike to trick ride today...




Just as it was then....

 

[renaldo]

Re:

Has anyone ever tried using something like this for practicing indoors? Any thoughts? Better than nothing if you're stuck in a flat with no garden?
https://mtbhopper.com/products/balance

 

[Trialsmeister]

Re: Re:

Has anyone ever tried using something like this for practicing indoors? Any thoughts? Better than nothing if you're stuck in a flat with no garden?
https://mtbhopper.com/products/balance

Thats pretty cool, but if it's only for balance on the flat, we used to just wedge the front wheel against a wall and sit and read a book for an hour.

 

[renaldo]

Re:

I've been trying trackstands against a wall after watching this:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tZsy_lIF34[/youtube]

I find it much more difficult than doing them outside on a slight incline. Could that be a psychological thing, as you can't just ride out when you feel you're losing balance?

 

[Trialsmeister]

Re: Re:

I find it much more difficult than doing them outside on a slight incline. Could that be a psychological thing, as you can't just ride out when you feel you're losing balance?

Try initially, with the bars turned, say to the left, pointing at the 10 o'clock, (where straight on would be 12). With the contact point of the tyre, meeting the wall there, holding the front brake on will then give you that fulcrum where a micro adjust of the bars, saves the balance. It's much easier with the leverage adjustment available, of the turned wheel, leaning against the wall, over just pointing the front wheel straight into the wall, if you see what I mean? Obvs, if you're steadier turning the bars to the right, in the 2 o'clock position, go for that.

EDIT; What Ali demonstrates, at 5.30!

Also try this sitting down, with the saddle at a lower height than normal riding position. Keeps the centre of gravity lower. Let me know how you get on!

 

[renaldo]

Re:

Thanks for the tips, will give it a go!

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

Re: Re:

Has anyone ever tried using something like this for practicing indoors? Any thoughts? Better than nothing if you're stuck in a flat with no garden?
https://mtbhopper.com/products/balance

Er, yeah, but mine didn't cost that much...

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