BMX - Cruiser, how to manual

I'm still relatively new to the sport. Bought a cheep cruiser last year. I am ready to start manualling (is this the proper spelling?) in the parking lot but I can't pull the bike up not matter how hard I try. I have come to the comclusion that it is the bike. Maybe the bars are too low, or the fram is too long or both.

Suggestions please? I'm 5'9" and approx 165lbs.

Make sure your bars are even with the fork and not forward.

Rolling along... have legs somewhat bent.... pull back on bars hard enough to get the front end up..... use legs (push pull) to keep the front wheel up where you want it.

Now repeat over the rhythm section at your local track. Much harder.

ive never tried a crusier but ive notice on 20" that the lighter and weight evenly distributed bike are easier for me to manual.

you can "preload" your arms by bending them before pulling up and back.
make sure you get your butt as low and far back as you can, without looping out.

what are the toptube and chainstay lengths?

Tope tube is 21.5 to 22. I thought this was long, but it doesn't seem to be for a cruiser. What is chainstay length?

Tope tube is 21.5 to 22. I thought this was long, but it doesn't seem to be for a cruiser. What is chainstay length?

The bottom tube that goes from your BB to your dropout.