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

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

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Old 02-13-05, 03:53 PM
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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.
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Old 02-13-05, 04:12 PM
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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.
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Old 02-13-05, 04:13 PM
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its hard to learn and it takes awhile, but remeber, its all body english
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Old 02-13-05, 04:58 PM
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Picked it up really quickly.
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Old 02-13-05, 05:00 PM
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its a little easier if you can whelly standing up, it kind of gives you the feel
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Old 02-13-05, 05:01 PM
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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.
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Old 02-13-05, 05:07 PM
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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
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Old 02-13-05, 05:08 PM
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I'm assuming manualling is just coasting on the back tire or something?
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Old 02-13-05, 05:08 PM
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me...manual...only in a car.
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Old 02-13-05, 05:09 PM
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Its like a standing wheelie without pedaling basically
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Old 02-13-05, 05:09 PM
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gotcha... I can't even ride a wheelie, so I know I can't manual.
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Old 02-13-05, 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Maelstrom
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.
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Old 02-13-05, 05:34 PM
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what's the purpose of a manual??
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Old 02-13-05, 05:40 PM
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its a trick, like a wheelie
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Old 02-13-05, 06:06 PM
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Originally Posted by PWRDbyTRD
what's the purpose of a manual??
So you look cool in front of the chicks!
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Old 02-13-05, 06:20 PM
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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.
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Old 02-13-05, 07:18 PM
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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
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Old 02-13-05, 07:52 PM
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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.
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Old 02-13-05, 07:54 PM
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me... 21 years in april and still counting hahahahaha
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Old 02-13-05, 08:09 PM
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Originally Posted by PWRDbyTRD
what's the purpose of a manual??
Learning and riding them hones your balance and bike control skills.

Plus, they look cool.
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Old 02-13-05, 10:01 PM
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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.
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Old 02-13-05, 10:04 PM
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I can do a front manual, for about 5 sec.
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Old 02-13-05, 11:04 PM
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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.
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Old 02-14-05, 12:57 AM
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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.
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Old 02-14-05, 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by notfred
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.
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