Do MTB Manual Machines Work? One Week on the BYCLEX Manual Machine.
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- čas přidán 24. 02. 2024
- If you're horrible at manualling your mountain bike like me, you might want to give a manual trainer (machine) a try... like the BYCLEX Manual Machine. I documented my first week (well, 6 days.... on the 7th day I rested) to see if these things really work.
- Sport
I can only imagine it being a nightmare trying to manual a stationary bike, especially with the chain still on, only advice I can give is to squat down then move back in one motion, also heels down more and knees outwards more.
It's actually a lot easier with the chain on... but thank you for the tips... I still need all the help I can get!
Great video. Looking forward to the on trail video. Good luck! 👍🏼
Thanks for watching... next video will be without the chain plus some follow-up on the street... I never realized how difficult it is to manual (at least for a guy that didn't start mountain biking until he was 40)... I'm glad I got this machine... otherwise, I never would have started to practice... being able to dial in the movement in the garage has given me more confidence to get that front wheel up on the street.
Great job, loved the video. One way to make the trainer translate to trails better is to take the chain off of your bike, it feels more natural. Keep up the good work!
I just watched a video where they mentioned taking the chain off... in retrospect, I probably should have watched other videos beforehand. I just wanted to see if I could figure it out on my own... going forward I'm going to drop the chain. Thank you for watching and the good advice!
Great job Duane. Really great progress. Great little unit as well. Your list looks like mine. Keep it up. Look forward to see the effects on the street and trails.
Thanks Mike, I'm doing it without the chain now... It's about ten times harder... But i'm glad I did the first week with the chain... Otherwise I might have thought it was hopeless.
@@DuanegerZone same path I took. Need to get back to practicing it. Thanks for the motivation.
get a shorter stem and it should make it a quite a bit easier. also your feet should be back and not flat because when your doing a real manual you would be pushing on your feet to get the manual up if it starts to dip down. from my experience manual trainers haven't helped and would actually make you worse at manuals as you wouldn't fall left or right at the same time not learning the bake brake. my recomendation is try wheelies or coaster wheelies.
I'm switching to a hardtail with a shorter stem for the next bike I'm putting on the trainer... thank you very much for the tip... My main reason for picking up the Manual Trainer is when trying manuals on the trail, I always hesitate to bring the bike back far enough... always thinking I might fly backwards off the bike while riding... the Manual Trainer puts me in a more controlled environment, and I know I'll be safe falling backwards without shooting my bike out from under me... I truly feel that the biggest benefit of the Manual Machine is being able to dial in the sweet spot (balance point). Sure, the trainer does not replicate a true "on trail" manual experience, but it definitely can give you a great idea of where that sweet spot is between not going far enough and going to far. I would equate it to using a row machine to train for rowing a boat, or a stair climbing machine to prepare for hiking a 14er... definitely not the same thing, but it can condition you in the right areas... just don't depend on it as your only source of training. Thanks again for commenting it's great to get input and good advice... that stem on the Santa Cruz was pretty long.
@@DuanegerZone if you feel like your going to far back just hit the back brake
I was definitely going too far back... you'll see on the last day, that my finger was on the rear brake, to keep me from going back too far... that's because I finally watched some videos on how to manual the night before 🤣 but I still need to remember to use the brake, because sometimes I'll forget... and sometimes I accidentally hit the brake and fall forward... but I'm working on it... I'm sure I'll get the hang of it by the time I'm 50🤣
Getting comfortable with sliding your feet off the pedals when looping out will be helpful forever.
I've been attempting that when riding on the streets with varying degrees of success. I'm (slowly) editing a follow-up video that shows another week on the trainer without the chain and a few attempts on the street where I have to jump off the back while looping out.... But at least I'm not hesitating so much in getting that front wheel up... The manual machine is definitely helping with that. And I totally agree that being able to jump off the back and land on your feet after going too far back is a very important part of feeling safer when manualing.
@@DuanegerZone Unfortunately it's a life long skill, lol! If you watch crash sections of BMX videos even the best riders are looping out of manuals, it's going to happen you just want to avoid the sack of potatoes type fall to the back of you neck, cheers!
My experience was that it doesn't translate at all! I'm not sure why, seems like it should! Over the years I have built 2 MM's, one for my BMX then later one for my mountain bike. On both I managed to do 60seconds before my muscles gave out, how long was I able to do a manual on the street? About 1 second... on a good day! That's my experience anyway. I binned the MM's. I have since pursued my quest for the manual by buying an Inspired Flow just to practice manuals on, it's definitely easier than the mountain bike and I'm finally making some slow progress, after hours and hours of practice! Good luck with yours, I'll be interested to know if you feel the MM has actually helped!
People recommended to me in the comments, and I also saw a video where you take the chain off... It does feel like it represents the streets and trails a little more closely... It's a lot harder to do. The one thing I do notice is I have the guts to go further back on the manual trainer. But I still hesitate when i'm on the streets and trails... But I have improved on the streets and trails... The manual trainer has definitely helped me dial in the motion and the balance point a little better... I'm able to "get more reps in".
Cut the side legs off the manual machine so it has less sideways stability and take the chain off the bike.
I'll definitely drop that chain... for right now, I'll keep the side legs... I'll have to work my way up to that... I need a little bit of stability for the time being... because God knows I'm waaaay too unstable on my own... at least that's what my psychiatrist tells me 🤣
@@DuanegerZone When life gets unstable on the manual machine, stick it in front of the couch so when you topple backwards, you land in comfort 🤣
@thatguy2201 that's the best damn advice yet!!! 🤣
I cannot believe you bought a MACHINE to learn something that you can learn in ANY car park manualling between spaces.
It's pretty well explained why I did so... Safety concerns about going too far backwards while on the street.. Being able to get more "reps" in while on the trainer... Not to mention the fact that I do not have a "car park" conveniently located in my garage. 🤣 That being said, I am practicing out on the street more and more... Something I'm not likely to have done had I not been practicing on this trainer... I find myself more confident and less hesitant to get that wheel up thanks to the Manual machine.
@@DuanegerZone what do you think that everyone who knows it has a perfect driveway right by his house? You dont need this stupid crap. It teaches you nothing.
@Iggy52 Thanks, Iggy. Good to have another perspective... My driveway is way too short (and steep) for a beginner to practice manuals... even the street in front of my house that I practice on is on a hill... It's much easier to practice on level area.... BTW, I watched your videos of your manual progression: czcams.com/video/G5aMwxv_A7s/video.htmlsi=Z9WzwphjZJ06G04R
Truly inspiring! You should post more videos... and anyone who wants to learn how to manual should check out this video! Just shows where dedication and tons of practice will get you!
You need to take the chain off to truly learn how to manual with a machine.
Yeah, I watched a couple videos where that was suggested. So instead of going straight to the streets and trails, I started doing a second week with no chain... much, much more difficult... and it does help take away the added stability of the trainer for a somewhat more authentic feel.... That beingsaid, I am glad that I did the 1st week with the chain on... I feel that it was imperative for me to "get the feel" for the trainer and work my way up to "chainless".... and eventually, the real deal. Thanks for watching.. and the good advice... I need all I can get.😁
Dude, are you familiar with the L movement at all? You are doing it all wrong and even on the manual machine ☝
Dude, I think it's obvious... I don't know what the hell I'm doing.! 😆 but seriously... you can actually see me "attempting" the L movement at times. Emphasis on the quotation marks around "attempting".... and it's not a sharp 90 degree L... more like a cursive L.🤣 But c'mon, Iggy... cut me some slack... I'm working on it. By the way, I loved your video: czcams.com/video/G5aMwxv_A7s/video.htmlsi=Z9WzwphjZJ06G04R
Anyone who wants to learn to manual should check it out. Awesome dedication.