Mountain Biking - So how long did it take you to learn to manual, anyway?

I've been trying this off and on for a while now, and I still can't do it. I can get the bike up around it's balance point, but I can't hold it there for more than s econd or so. Still, I know I've improved, because when I started I couldn't even get the bike up to that point. At least I can get myself and the bike in the right position now, even if I can't hold it.

Just curious how long it took everyone else to get the hang of this.

I still haven't gotten it and I've been working on it for quite a while. It's just one of those things that you just have to keep practicing and eventually you'll be going longer and longer.

its hard to learn and it takes awhile, but remeber, its all body english

Picked it up really quickly.

its a little easier if you can whelly standing up, it kind of gives you the feel

I've never even attempted it, to be honest. I know for a fact I can't do it, though. Therefore I don't bother. Plus I don't see much purpose in it.

I suck at it...but...I find it much easier on a small bike. BMX I could double what I could on my xc bike. But in reality, I only wanna do it 5 ft. If I can do it slow and that distance I can drop anythng

I'm assuming manualling is just coasting on the back tire or something?

me...manual...only in a car.

Its like a standing wheelie without pedaling basically :)

gotcha... I can't even ride a wheelie, so I know I can't manual. ;)

I suck at it...but...I find it much easier on a small bike. BMX I could double what I could on my xc bike. But in reality, I only wanna do it 5 ft. If I can do it slow and that distance I can drop anythng

That's basically why I want to learn to do it.

what's the purpose of a manual??

its a trick, like a wheelie

what's the purpose of a manual??
So you look cool in front of the chicks!

and its great for lining up for drops and obstacles, if you can manual, its a lot easier to keep the front wheel up than trying to pedal at the last second.

I think it makes it easier if you know you're about to go over the edge of a drop... I can't get the front wheel too high on flat ground, but if I know there's a drop ahead, its easier to :S

almost did one on the weekend, for like 1/2 a sec. i find its a lot easier when you're dog tired and trying to practice something else.

me... 21 years in april and still counting hahahahaha

what's the purpose of a manual??

Learning and riding them hones your balance and bike control skills.

Plus, they look cool.

5 years and counting it is the holy grail search for me. I can do jump to manuels descently but just pulling one up out of no where isnt that great i can only go 20-30 feet at the most. Its always great to ride with some local bmxers that have no back brake that can manual seriously forever.

I can do a front manual, for about 5 sec.

not sure exactly how long it just happened one day it seems. i would practice wheelies constantly and while rolling on the back wheel i was gradually able to do it without pedaling.one you feel that balance point it jsut comes natural. i find it easiest to do while rolling down a slight incline. remember to bend you knees and pull straight back on the bars.

I've been practicing for about 1 month and can only get about 5-10 feet. I have now worked out how to keep my balance up and down, but I am starting to fall to the side now and when I concentrate on not falling sideways I fall forward. :crash:

Just curious how long it took everyone else to get the hang of this.

It took me about a season of regular practicing to get a good high speed manual for 40-50 feet.
That was after I could already ride long regular wheelies.
The faster you go, the easier it is to manual, but the consequences for flailure are higher.