How to Hop to a Manual BMX

Start off your BMX quest with "the manual."

Performing tricks on a BMX bike can be a thing of beauty. Like any other extreme sport, hours upon hours of practice can make even the hardest tricks and flips seem like second-nature to the athlete. Mastering "the manual" is no different. With such a simple name, this BMX trick is quite tricky to pull off, but gets easier with time and practice.Similar to performing a "wheelie," the manual involves rear-wheel contact with front-wheel elevation. From there, the comparisons end, as pedal-speed, distribution of weight on the bike and hand placement differ.

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Instructions

- 1
  
  Coast around an empty street on your BMX bike and find a flat place to practice.
- 2
  
  Coast to a slow speed, nearly stopping, and pull back on your handlebars while leaning far back.
- 3
  
  Hold on to your handlebars with your fingertips and keep your feet firmly on the pedals. The pedals remain motionless when performing "the manual," and, once the front wheel is off the ground, you should be able to travel a bit of distance based off of prior momentum.
- 4
  
  Flex your knees in and out, or toward your belly button and away from your belly button, to proved the additional momentum needed to move the bike forward.
- 5
  
  Shift your weight back towards the front of the bike to return the front wheel to the ground.

Tips & Warnings

As you start off, gauge your ability by leaning back in moderation and working your way to a position more toward the rear wheel.
BMX tricks are dangerous by nature. Wear proper padding on your hands, wrists, elbows and knees, as well as a helmet.
Choose a location with no cars, heavy traffic or obstacles that could prevent you from practicing, as well as compromise your safety.