How to Do a Lookdown on a BMX Bike

If you're on a quest to get some big air on the BMX vert ramp, and you want to earn some style points while you're at it, then you need a lookdown in your bag of tricks. A fully clicked lookdown is rad.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• BMX Bike Brakes
• BMX Bike Forks
• BMX Bike Frame
• BMX Bike Gloves
• BMX Bike Parts
• BMX Bike Pegs
• Bike Pumps
• Bike Tools
• BMX Bike Helmets
• BMX Bikes

1. Have your basic air tricks dialed. Also, be able to consistently ride and jump a few feet above the lip of the ramp. The higher you go, the more hang time you have to do this. These instructions describe a lookdown jumping to the left. If you go to the right, simply switch directions in these steps.
2. Approach the ramp with enough speed to get at least 5 feet of air.
3. Turn your handlebars to the left as soon as you leave the ramp. At the same time, move your body forward and to the right.
4. Use your legs to keep the bike straight up and down at this point.
5. Bring your body in front of the handlebars, which you turn 180 degrees. The left side of the handlebars should come behind your left leg or into your hip. This should all be done before you reach the apex of your air.
6. Use "body English" (mostly in your legs, some in your shoulders) to turn the bike around to match the direction of the handlebars, which are already facing down. This should happen at the apex of your jump.
7. Be sure you're in a downward riding position by the time you reach the lip of the ramp and start to land.
8. Land as you would with a normal air, smooth and balanced, and you are done.

Tips & Warnings

• Body positioning and the use of body English is difficult and takes practice to master. You can get the feel for this trick by lying on the ground and holding the bike up. Put your feet on the pedals and hands on handlebars, and get into the lookdown position.
• To totally click a lookdown, your bike should be perfectly straight at the apex of the air, with your body a little to the side, and the handlebars should be turned either completely backward or a little farther around.
• Baggy clothing can get tangled up in the bike during tricks like this, so be careful.
• BMX freestyle is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.
• Always wear a helmet.