8 Days On My Manual Machine: Does it Work?
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- čas přidán 15. 02. 2020
- I used a manual machine for 8 days in a row for 20-30 minutes a day to see if it would improve my skills. Here's the results.
It's been a few years, so here's an update on the trails and conditions. Enjoy!
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Hey everyone! Thanks for all of the encouragement and advice. I've had a couple of people ask if it worked, and the short answer is no. I can wheelie much better than before, but I can't manual yet. I'm going to keep practicing on the trail, and I'll make an update if I can get it.
You need to take off the chain if you want a more realistic experience. I can manual for a pretty good distance and I hate manual machines. They teach you how to pull it up, but after that you gotta do everything for real. Good luck.
@@ryanlittle1525 Thanks! I've pretty much stopped using it and I'm just practicing on the road. Hopefully I'll get it.
The key to a manual is a down hill grade/slope. The faster you are going the futher u can manual. Your ability to unweighted you front wheel is the most beneficial transferable skill from this practice.
@@ryansmith7974 I have a decent hill in front of my house. I think I just need to work on the commitment piece.
So did it benefit you on wheelies?
USE YOUR LEGS, KEEP ARMS STRAIGHT!!
Keep your head up. When you look down, your center of mass goes forward and your front wheel drops. Kyle and April do a nice job explaining.
Thanks for the advice!
I was just watching this video and was about to suggest Kyle and April. Kyle did a really great job in covering this skill. Well, he does in each of his video.
Ditto was gon say same thing
As someone who can hold a manual for unlimited distance in ideal conditions, all I can say is that there is no secret hack to learning it except to practice practice practice. Find a good sloped road with no traffic and just keep doing laps lol.
This might be the best advice I've heard. I think learning to manual might be my quarantine goal. I have the perfect hill for it in front of my house.
This is the truth. Why use a machine when what is actually needed is a gentle hill (which incidentally are much easier to find...)? I learnt to manual by practicing it on my commute every single day. After doing this for almost 3 years I would say I am very good at them. Definitely haven't mastered them yet though - they are tough.
gamblore514 3 years... I don’t think u added any support for simple practice
@@sonicnendez it didn't take me 3 years to be able to do one, but continual practice over that time means I can do them consistently and much further. manuals are a skill that can always be refined more.
this is a great idea ! i start riding 2 weeks ago and i found that manual are super important in mtb thanks for sharing i like your videos keep the good videos
Thanks!
Lmao benefiting from students projects! I love that.
One of the perks of being a teacher!
Cool! Looking forward to seeing how it helps a real manual in the street. Good luck!
Thanks! I'm going to try a few on my next ride. We'll see what happens.
I’m about to build one - I was told taking your chain off is a more realistic way to ‘unlock’ the drivetrain when stationary.
Your student did a nice job. She gets an A+ in construction. The progression you had is very similar to mine. It is super nice to use one of these to find that there truly is a balance point where you can just float. It can provide some confidence. Thanks for sharing a real life example.
She did do a nice job. It's nice to hear that someone else had a similar experience. Most of the comments I'm getting make it seem like it's an easy thing that I should already know how to do.
Thumbs up if y’all instantly thought of recommending Kyle & April’s channel.
great vid love how you put your student to work on this one and little tip ive picked up is to try taking your chain off it helps to make the pedals feel more natural by being able to move them forward
Thanks!
good way to pass time in this quarantine we have, also I'd try it the other way around for practicing stoppies/nose manuals
I don't know if I'm ready for that, but it's definitely a good way to pass the time in quarantine!
You need to take the chain off so you can back petal
Super cool machine and video, thanks :)
Thanks, and no worries!
Just came across your channel today, good idea, I will do that as well.
New subscriber!
Thanks! There are lots of plans and videos on how to build it, and the materials are cheap. Good luck!
Your student did a great job of that! Good on her!
She really did!
Hey man, good job you are on the right path to learning how to manual! IMHO, by starting on that machine we tend to develop bad habits, I could see that you were not preloading enough before you pull back and when you were pulling back you were using your back not your weight. It is good to see you are still at at, if it was me my back would be broken by now. I ain’t no manual master, I’m also still learning.
Thanks. I'm practicing on the street now, and hopefully I'll get it!
That was a great video. I'm in the same place you are in terms being unable to manual and like you the first day, it took me a bit to sack up and lean back on my machine
Thanks!
@@MTBTrailReview I am following your 30 minutes/day regimen and just finished the second session and I am definitely better than I was yesterday
@@JamesPoli That's awesome! I hope it works out for you.
Very good! I will try too.
Good luck!
I have learned the manaul last year and I am also started with a manual machine. But I can tell you now it gives you only a idea how the manual feels like, doing it while you one your bike on the street is a whole different thing. I can give you three tips that helped me. First of all, don’t look at your front wheel you don’t have to check if it is up. ;)
Second: lean back and don’t pull on your handlebars ... the manual move is like a L, where the short part is up ... move your weight down and then push your bike away in front of you ... that’s all the magic stuff. Third: keep practicing it ... I’ve practiced this thing for three months maybe 30 rides with 12km per ride and I’ve nothing other done like pedale up, „manual“ down ... pedal up ... that was really annoying and sometimes extremely frustrating but: practise makes perfect 👌🏻
I think the pedal up and maul down for several rides is what I need to do if I really want to get it. Thanks for the tips!
Good video brother! I have been trying to decide whether I should build one of these or not. I mean, Blake made it look so easy on the gmbn video it looks like any idiot can do it! Lol. I can manual over one or two bumps but I want to be able to ride a manual all the way down the street around the corner into the trail if I want to!
Thanks! I'm hoping I can get to a point where I can manual over a few bumps, then go from there. I was messing around a little today on the trail, and I'm definitely more comfortable.
awesome! keep practicing, I noticed you probably need to add a bit more air to your rear shock also.
Thanks! I'm sick of that shock. I have it pumped up to 310 right now, and I'm afraid to go any higher. The shock is proprietary for that bike, and I can't find another one that fits.
Hi,
Thanks for the video and updating us...
Did you try with no chain like some advice here?
Did you see any damages to the wheel?
No worries! I did try with no chain, and it is much different. I've switched to practicing on the street, though. I didn't have any wheel damage, but there are some other people that have. I think it depends heavily on your side to side balance.
Adding to all the advice: don't look down. Look up.
You probably already know got to manual by now but I just learned how to do manual the past few weeks. The longest I’ve gone is like maybe 100 yards maybe a little more before my legs get tired and my form goes to poop. But one thing that helped me was focusing on keeping my heels down. Looking good keep it up.
Edit: like many have said, bend your knees.😎
Thanks, and good work on your end!
great video
Thanks!
Rad video! Nice progress! Had it transitioned to the trails yet?
Thanks! It hasn't transitioned yet, but I'm going to keep at it. When are getting one?
When you give me yours!
Set it up so that your back is up against the wall. In a real manual you will able to control the fall backward by feathering the brake to bring the nose down. The hardest part I dealt with was finding out how far my butt needs to come back over the rear axle. Then it is pretty simple... arms locked out, squatted with knees bent and just little weight shifts to maintain. Great job...Keep at it!
Thanks, and thanks for the advice. I haven't heard that yet!
Not sure if you know this, buuuuuuuuuut.................. you don’t have to back pedal every time. Hahaha. Messing with you. I think this was a great video. Typically you see pros showing us something they already know how to do. This is great to see a real, normal guy showing us his experience. Thank you.
Thank you for the kind words. I'm about as average as they come on a mountain bike!
Great vid and really good info, think may make one now. But come on we want to see how your manuals look on your road now please 🤔 has it helped? Thanks
It honestly hasn't helped much. I am going to do a follow up video soon. My wheelies are much better, but I still can't manual.
@@MTBTrailReview that's useful to know. Shame though eh.
@@Courtiow Agreed. It's still fun, and I've found other uses for it, too, but the manual isn't there yet for me.
I saw another video where they took the chain off the bike to simulate the movement of the cranks and I may try that next
I've heard that, too.
@@MTBTrailReview I took mine off. Much more difficult
Heard that the machine has some differences to what it’s really like to manual but very similar
Wery Nice work. Praktice makes perfekt
Thank you!
2nd question: Do you have both front/rear susp. fully open? Mid? Or locked? Thanx
I have everything in trail mode, so mid.
Thank you
I spent countless hours trying to manual my 170mm enduro bike and couldn't do more than 10m... plus my back and fingers were sore. Bought an old dirt bike for 200euro and made 50 metres on the second session :) It's way easier, cause you don't need that hard pull to lift your front wheel up - in fact you can stay low and just push the bike forward, keeping your head on the same level, and your back straight. Just sharing, cause I could've spared myself so much struggle... I'm going out to practice :)
That's awesome! I don't know if there is a dirt bike in my future, though.
get lower to the rear wheel, drop then push back sort of like a backwards L, I am keen on seeing your manuals now!!! keep shredding
Thanks, but I can't go more than a couple of feet yet. Once I get it a little better, I'll do an update.
@@MTBTrailReview document it for progress
You're about the same size as me. I feel like I am really heavy when I try to do it. Not to mention my arms are kind of short-ish. At this point it feels like I'll never be able to do it LOL. But I guess I'll keep trying
I'm kind of feeling the same way. I'll keep trying, too.
2 questions: If you dont mind, whats your weight? I saw this machine advertised on IG for $200+ and I'm not sure if it can handle my 250lb frame + bike weight
I weigh 248 lbs, and it feels secure. $200 seems expensive. If you have the tools, or know someone who does, I'd try to build one. I spent a total of $25 on materials for this one. Good luck!
I can see you know exactly what you need to do (eg straight arms not bent) and you’re working towards it.
Slow and steady!
Your seat may be in the way but it helps if your legs are bent almost 90 degrees like a wall sit. Arms straight always. I also like to have my back foot lower than my front but that may just be preference
Thanks for the advice!
Just a tip when your doing it the technique is squat down to your seat and then back gmbn have a video on how to manual
Thanks for the advice!
Apparently disconnecting the chain is the way to go with for stationary training
Sorry if you already have a video answering my question, but what do you use to mount your bike on the wall like that?
I use the Clug. I love it! If it's something you decide to get, just make sure to measure your tires to get the actual size.
@@MTBTrailReview thanks man! Ive been trying to find a way to mount my bikes and get them to take up a little less space
@@Zelli1013 No worries. I definitely recommend them!
Everyone else is giving you the obvious guidance of straight arms and using your legs. I'll give you the guidance of alternating which foot is forward. I've always hit jumps, etc. With my left leading and I'm retraining myself to have either forward. Start now!
That is something I will have to try. Thank you!
Your biggest problem is not keeping your head up and looking UP and wayyyyy out in front of you. When you you wheelie or manual remember “ where you LOOK is where you will go.” So if you are looking down at your front wheel then you will be extremely hard pressed to maintain a wheelie or manual.
Thanks for the advice!
I’m liking the manual machine not seen one befor, tip of advise your pulling the bike up you need to pre load it makes it easyer so compact the front forks befor you do your pull on the handle bars for the manual but good work I know it can be a nightmare to learn
Thanks for the advice!
This also works well for doing bunny hops, they took me along time to work out
We did also build one, but the machine only lets you find the sweetspot, cause you not moving. And the back rim was totaly fuckd up. We then just spend time on trying it on the road and now we can both Manual. Most ppl dont get it that it takes time, time , time practice , practice , practice. Just start low, took me month to get the hang of it, most ppl give up if they cant Manual after 2 weeks…. Just go out and Practice and dont give up.
Agreed. I've been practicing on the road, too. My wheelie has gotten significantly better, but I still can't manual. I think it's more of a commitment issue for me.
It took me too really really Long, and i was often so frustrated that i said i will never get it. But it did get better month for month, and i noticed so much stuff that i made wrong at the start . Like allways Keep you arms straight , bend Needs , push the heels down, and then the balance when you start getting it for a couble off seconds Right.... Some ppl learn it really quick and ppl like me it took very Long time. I can say never give up and commit to it, watch all vids you can find and then practice practice practice . And even if one week Nothing is getting better just practice practice practice. I rember when i could hold it for the first time for a couble of meters , man i was happy ;) What i see in your vid is never bend your arms or pull or push them , allways Keep your arms straight and do it only with your bodyweight down and back. What also helped me a lot and really alot dont look at the front Wheel.
I would love to have seen your progress on a real manual then. And yes, keep your arms straight, even though they are really strong.
Unfortunately, I didn't really make any progress on the real manual. I'm just to afraid to commit. My wheelie significantly improved, though.
im not sure if the technique is different on a full sus, especially since your seat is alot higher, but instead of pulling yourself into the manual try bringing your ass down and back above your back wheel, almost like your going to sit on it, in a smooth motion and your front wheel should come up, you can then regulate your balance without your knees. Rather than jerking the bike with your arms you get alot more control.
again a full sus is alot heavier than the trials bikes i ride so this maybe it doesn't apply here, but food for thought. no harm in trying.
(edit. put front wheel instead of back, im tired )
I've been using my hardtail to practice on the street. I'm able to drop my hips to get the wheel up, but II'm having trouble finding and keeping the balance point. More practice, I think!
Гениальное изобретение!
Thank you!
I so need to build one of these. Its great seeing your progression over a short time. Check out Paul the Punter, he did something similar to this. he took his chain off to help get the feel of the cranks moving around.
Thanks! I'll check it out. Taking the chain off is a good idea. I might have to try it.
How’s the progress coming? Good luck!
It's coming along. I need to practice on the street more. Are your manuals getting better? I feel like the last time we rode you were going longer.
It’s a constant work in progress, sometimes I can get a good one but not even close to consistent. I’m not sure the Manuel machine will help you learn. It will give you the feel of where you are suppose to be position wise, as far as the motion of getting the tire up and holding it, I don’t have much faith in the manual machine learning you
@@ridintwowheels2515 I think I need to get out and do it if I really want to learn.
Nice machine. Looks like you're improving. BTW did it twist your rear wheel, out of true?.
It did not, but I have heard that it has for others.
Eyes on where you are going ,look down front tire goes down,as you improved your head came up making balance point more natural arms straight so they stay static ,knees bent to make balance coorrections 😋easy peazy
I think this will get you past the fear of the lean back.. so crack on.. hah. Also..which Trek is that bike your on please bud?
It's a 2016 Slash 9.8. Getting past the fear of finding the balance point was exactly what I was hoping to achieve.
I have my manual to I made last week, I will also upload my result..lol
Good luck! I hope it works for you.
tang ina pinoy k? hahah
have you bent the rear wheel？
I haven't, but I could see how it's very possible.
Fantastyc
Thanks!
A little late, but drop the chain off the cranks and then do this for the right pedal rotation feel.
Thanks for the advice!
Watch out for bad habits that you can easily develop using that thing e.g. pulling the break when your front wheel is dropping. And remember to take the chain off. So, did it help you? It helped me a bit, but practicing in the street was essential.
It helped more with wheelies. I'm still not even close to doing a manual.
The path: wheelie first, than the coaster wheelie and finally the manual worked for me (and many others). Good luck☺
take your chain off. That way you dont need to back-peddle, and reset your cranks everytime
I think it's time for me to just practice on the street!
I think this is a underrated tip that doesn't get talked about in any of the videos I've seen about these. With the chain off you can keep your cranks level and it feels much more like it does outside. So if you have gone to the trouble of building one go to the trouble of taking your chain off as well
Zach Berning yes take chain off like he mentions. The chain tension is also letting you cheat when rolling on street -no tension. Also keep arms strait at all times (move your hips) and get lower your center of gravity is way to high. I tell my girlfriend to try and hide behind the handlebars. Your shoulders should not be higher than your bars.
OMG. I've been waiting and at last at 8:46 the vital "bend your knees". All in the legs, not the arms.
Arghhhh... then just finished watching the rest and you're back to all arms no legs. ARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!
@@markmccall6273 Yeah. I need more practice.
@@MTBTrailReview For the record, my manuals suck too.
Is this safe for your derailleur?
Probably not. Mine came out okay, but I think it depends on how the machine is built.
i cant even lift my front wheel more than 2 inches lol
A lot can happen with a little practice!
So with a manual the lower the front wheel the better, unlike a wheelie where the higher the front wheel the better. Both are indications of skill achieved.
FLO RIDA!
What helmet do you have?
I have the Giro Montara. I love it!
Good posture = good manuals
It doesn't matter how big your butt is. Your entire torso weighs more. If you are trying to counter balance the weight of the bike with just your booty hanging out over the back tire, you are not going to have a good time. Butt in, shoulders back, try to keep your spine vertical and it will be much easier to maintain balance, because you have the weight of your whole body to work with vs a 30 lb bike.
I picked up a dirt jumper since making this video, and that has helped a lot with finding the correct posture.
Awesome build... But I don't think it helps you with manauls as much as people hope. We're aslo in a lockdown situation here in South Africa, and that has given me time to practice some stuff. Which I will be posting on my channel in the next few days.
But I feel when in motion it brings a whole lot more variables in play. Balancing and "feathering" the rear brake is just so much extra. I'm currently on wheelies and that balancing point is a doozy. Not to mention the difficulty in steering.
I agree. I've gotten pretty good with the wheelie, and I think the machine really helped. I still can't manual.
@@MTBTrailReview it just looks super easy if you watch someone like Blake Samson or Neil Donohue or Sam Pilgrim. But its really hard. I think most people started out on bmx. That might be a easier bike to learn them on.
@@WestCoastMountainBiker I would definitely agree. It seems like people that have a bmx and/or dirtbike background tend to pick it up easier.
I built one not that long ago too. I was also (as somebody below mentioned) inspired by Blake@GMBN to do it. Frankly if he recommends it ought to be good. But it's. a pity my Q about wheel damage was not answered below his video.
As you (and probably many others) found out you can easily destroy your rear wheel on this machine if you are unlucky and lean to the side. In the end I reused the wood on this and built a ramp instead.
Personally I think the best way is to train outside. But Blake did recommend this, so .. :)
Wheel damage is something I definitely thought about. I've been lucky so far, and I'm about due for a new wheel set soon anyways! I could definitely see how it could go wrong, though.
Its not the same. There are also other factors to take into consideration. Such as the gyroscope created by the rotation of the wheel.
Very true. I can definitely find and hold the balance the point on the machine, but I'm not even close to being able to manual on the trail or street.
just go out and try some. have fun.
Thanks! That's the approach I'm taking now.
Keep those arms locked straight !!
Thanks for the advice!
Hi. Dont bend ur arms mate, keep em straight. Otherwise great vid, enjoyed watching even tho im able to manuel :)
Thanks, and thanks for the advice!
I don’t know how to manual either but the videos that I’ve watched I saw two mistakes that you were making. Keep your head up & eyes forward and stop bending your arms. Try that I think you’ll be able to do it just fine. Thank you for your video!! I’m going to have my husband build one because of you. Sorry husband!!! 😂😂
Good luck!
Before you set to the street you should still learn how manual. Your Legs look way to stiff. You should be also able to keep the balance while sitting on the seat relaxed and not loosing any energy. More practice required I’m afraid 👍🏼
Will it help to learn wheeli?
I think it helped more with my wheelie than manual.
Thank you very much, i will build this machine to get the perfect wheeli,:-)
In the future we’ll be able to perform manual by pressing a button!😎😂
That day is probably pretty close!
MTB Trail Review Hopefully!🙏😂
Looks like you need to learn to keep your balance with your legs, not your arms. By moving your weight back and forth with your arms you are shifting the center of gravity over your handlebars, not keeping it at rear wheel where it belongs. When moving, your way of adjusting balance will throw you forward over the front wheel. All you are doing is creating an upside-down triangle out of your body, with the center of gravity at the bottom point of the triangle. That bottom point should shift forward and back to keep your balance, just as you would move your hand when balancing a broomstick, for example.
Thanks for the advice. I'm going to keep working on it!
I keep my arms locked and knees bent. If your doing it right you will be humping the air a bit. I second the taking your chain off. Just slip that bad boy off the chainring. This really is a great idea tho
Completely agree with keeping your arms straight, move your hips back if front wheel dips, or forward if you go too far back.
And lower your seat. It’s stopping you from getting lower. You should almost be scared your arse will rub on the back wheel
I'd be scared that I would bend my rear wheel.
It's a definite possibility. I'm about due for a new wheel anyways.
@@MTBTrailReview when a wheel costs almost as much as my bike I take no chances lol.
@@bobbyhempel1513 Fair point!
Use an old, cheap bike for practice.
I can't manual very well but I bet taking your chain off and keeping your arms straight would help. Bend your knees instead instead of your arms.
Getting the form down is really tough. I've been making a conscious effort to keep my arms straight and use my lower body.
@@MTBTrailReview try looking at the window on your garage door instead of your front wheel be more like looking down the trail IRL
@@capelde I'll try that. Thanks!
What is the of your bike pls
Trek Slash 9.8
You need to balance your self and your bike out. Watch some videos from Kyle Warner about balance. Your grip is even off you want your levers lower.
You’ve got to almost sit on the rear tyre and get way below the seat. Also keep your arms straight
Thanks for the advice!
I KNOW FROM MANUALING THAT IT GETS HARDER THE SLOWER IT GETS, AND EASIER WITH SPEED
THANKS FOR THE ADVICE
Its good to put your finger on brakes but if you don t brake ... and extend your arm
Thanks for the advice!
я буду искренне рад когда научишься делать это в движение. Спасибо за видео.
Thank you!
I built one of these a couple of years ago and have to say it is of no real use at all in learning how to manual in reality. There is no forward/backward movement in the wheels so is far easier to lift the wheel (I.e. all your effort goes directly into lifting the wheel, but in reality a lot of this effort will be transferred into pushing the bike forward). This will show you where the balance point is but that's all. The actual technique you need to get there and hold it when rolling is very different and pushing the back wheel forward and back is key. Something you can't learn with it stuck in a wooden frame. Good fun though and something to do in lockdown :-)
Wonder how many rear wheel have been destroyed by these lol
I bet it's been quite a few.
Any updates??
I still can't manual. I'm planning on putting out an update video next week.
MTB Trail Review look forward to it!
I have a better manual machine in mind. Basically balancing everything on a 2 inch square. Is it like a unicycle, with bars?
Give it a try and let me know how it goes!
Thats Not the same 😉 ride down a hill and make Manuals thats give you more Room with the Gravity 😉
I could manual 25m after 2 weeks but you should derail your chain to make it more accurate. Good luck!
That's awesome! Thanks for the advice.
@@MTBTrailReview hey don t forget you can also work on your front wheel and try some nose manni :) You might need to shorten the pieces of woods that holds your wheel, just so your fork does not hit it too early when your back wheel is going up. Give it a try it s a lot of fun! Even post a video about it! You can find my fb if you want to chat about it.
Have fun! At least we can ride even during that quarantine time.
If you have any spacers left above your stem then raising your stem will make it easier.
Good to know, thanks!
Now all I need is a student who is willing to build for me
It definitely helps!
Watch the Scotty Cranmer video on how to manual. Keep your arms straight.
Thanks for the advice!
Take it to the streets to see how well you can do it
That's the next steps!
Man stop looking down it makes a big difference
Thanks for the advice!
The space between the wood and the derailleur gave me anxiety the whole time
I realized later that it was occasionally hitting the wood.
@@MTBTrailReview oof, guess that's what hangers are for! 😂
That music cant be helping🤣
I cried from laugh 🤣
If you dont take your chain off it's not like a real manual because the chain helps you stay up
Thanks for the advice!