How to Do a Tail Tap on a BMX Bike Ramp

A tail tap is a trick where the rider goes up a ramp, lands on the deck, and goes up on the rear wheel. From there, the rider jumps back onto the ramp, and rolls away smoothly. The tail tap on a BMX bike ramp is a cool trick and takes some time to master. You can learn the fundamentals so you can start dazzling the crowds.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Make sure your brakes are working well. Doing a tail tap on a BMX bike ramp relies heavily on properly functioning brakes. To put it another way: no brakes, no trick.

2. Approach the ramp with a little more speed than usual. You will need this momentum to get you up on your back wheel.

3. Fly onto the deck by pulling up the front wheel of your BMX bike. Make sure your position is steady and that you are far enough on the deck for a nice, flat landing spot.

4. Stand on your back wheel by holding your brakes. Make sure your body is centered over your bike as you're doing a tail tap on a BMX bike ramp.

5. Lean into the ramp and jump back so that the front wheel is facing down the ramp.

6. Swing the front end of your bike toward the ramp as you're beginning to learn how to tail tap your BMX bike. This will make it easier for you to make sure you go back down the ramp than topple off it in the wrong direction. As you get better and better, you'll be able to hold that position up on your rear wheel longer before having to make the transition to back down the ramp.

7. Take it slow. If you have good balance and are able to control your BMX bike, doing a tail tap on a BMX bike ramp should be pretty easy for you to master. Above all, be safe and wear your helmet.

Resources

• Michael Novelli discusses doing a tail tap on a BMX bike.
• EXPN provides a useful BMX glossary.

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