I’m back again for more of your advice. This is my first time doing a bunnyhop(the real reason why im doing the manual is to learn this trick). I’m fat, old and new to biking and I cant seem to make my bunnyhop go higher as Ive seen on tons of yt videos. I had success after following one of the videos to just preload the legs without going really far behind the rear axle then do the row and anti row motion on the handlebars and not even scoop the pedals. I know I need more time to practice it but can you give me more tips please. Biking helped me deal with my health problems, stress and anxiety. Ride safe and thank you.
by SnooGrapes8334
4 Comments
this height is kinda okay for newbies right?
https://preview.redd.it/1jy38vnsnhsc1.jpeg?width=1549&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=931c124ac924e15440a0a9fa45cbaf6e97248527
https://youtu.be/jVUqPceZB5g?si=RUEIfqjso7oL7OZg
It does appear you’re using too much arm and upper body. Incorporating more lower body helps. It looks kind of like you are pulling up the bike with just muscle.
Try to hop and bring the bike with you instead if that makes sense. A lot of mtb and general cycling technique relies on lower body more than some would think when first starting.
The technique is 3 parts.
1. Elevate your platforms higher with a manual
2. Jump upwards using the higher pedals as the push off platform, which gets you more height. Because your bike is at an angle, you kinda have to also pull the bars more towards you while pushing with your feet to kinda “squeeze” yourself upwards. Your handlebars should end up at your hips.
3. Pull the bike up by the handelbars and push it forward while tucking your legs to get the rear end up. Some people do scoop the rear with their feet if they don’t want to push with their hands much.
Its best to practice at slower speed, and get each technique down instead of trying all three at once. You need to be able to do a good manual first (don’t have to hold one for long, but you do need get the wheel up high enough in a controlled manner).
Then you add an upward motion to where you extend upwards with your body, trying to get the handlebars to your hips, but the rear wheel says on the ground.
Then once you are comfortable with that you start exploding upwards harder and getting small amount of air, but landing rear wheel first.
Then you start working on the push/scoop to get more height.