How To Manual Like A Pro - MTB Skills

Get manuals - an essential, and cool mountain, bike skill - dialled with the help of this video.
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Start by lifting the front wheel up using the correct technique; rely on using your bodyweight to get your front wheel up rather than pulling your arms. Aim to progress to longer manuals - the cool ones - by adjusting your bodyweight.
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Music:
The Spitfires - Spark To Start
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Music - licensed by Cue Songs

[@attilabenedek15]

I tried to manual, I lifted the front wheel too much, I nearly fell on my back so I scared and I grabbed the brake and I hit my balls in the seat😂

[@larskristianimenes3543]

Off

[@oddarntnes7079]

learn to bail

[@awesomeperson8092]

;)

[@glfr1044]

I’ve done that so many times!lol

[@anuar.m.y]

i was so pumped up i tried practicing a manual in a public parking lot. I got the middle point and slowly but surely I went backward in slow motion!! a girl in skates came over to ask me if I was ok, I have never been so embarrassed in my life.. and she was boss level in skates tho! she was stupid hot too!

[@ninejets]

i kinda sat on the wheel accidentaly and got my balls stuck between the tire and the frame

[@CarsByVincent]

+ninejets OUCH! that doesnt sound good!

[@ilikerealflight]

R.I.P

[@zapbull7012]

R.I.P chance of children 69-96

[@AeternWarrior25]

Instructions unclear, balls stuck in bike frame.

[@sp00n]

Man, you're not supposed to do that naked!

[@Vesell11]

Here is what helped me in doing manual. At first, i got this video totally wrong - i was just trying to make everything with my hips. There are 2 stages which blend in 1: picking the front wheel up and then sort of pushing your back wheel under it. Stage 1: Bend your arms and legs(king of squat) to lower your weight and pump. It's your ready position Stage 2: You need to make a movement like you want to lay on your back. Just pull the front wheel with your back backwards with straightening your arms. It is similar to how you would move a sofa or a heavy box that you can't lift with your arms. Stage 3: Almost immediately push your pedals(like you want to jump from the bike) with straightening your legs to move your hips towards the back wheel axle. The more you transfer your weight back and down with this motion, the higher your back wheel will get. I recommend to use pedals that are not too grippy - at first you will be jumping off your bike a lot and grippy pedals might make you fall on your back.

[@marcchoo6254]

you sir, make quite a good explanation.

[@Nanchi]

dude thx I will try this got a bunny hop but can't hold wheel up maybe it isn't high enough this really explains it to thx

[@lucifer579x]

This really helped me to get from only lifting the wheel from the ground to actually reaching the balance point. Step 1 is REALLY important from what I gather. Next step is to learn feathering the brake correctly, because I kept just slamming right down in the ground. Related to this is also to learn to trust you will not go too far back. Anyway, with the tip from the video I learned how to hold my wheelie properly for easily 50-100 meters (however, here the only balance point I have is the pedaling) - keeping straight arms and adjusting with your legs and hips is really important!

[@thegamingdutchone8033]

Nanchi same for me

[@Nanchi]

The Gaming Dutch One I can now bunny hop over a curb with plenty of clearence Just don't stop practicing lol I got good enough to use it on trail never used it and now I am learning all over again. Haha

[@putridvomit]

RIP BALLS 1994-2017

[@Comment_User]

10 tutorial videos watched 9 weeks spent practicing 8 hip movements 7 hours in day to train 6 bike lessons 5 times i fell 4 people mocking me 3 shorter stems bought 2 chain rings in front 1 time i succeeded.

[@DmxAng]

lol, really?

[@smellslikeblackberries5355]

Comment_User similar story here

[@PeerBechHansen]

How did it work out using a shorter stem? I have had the same idea because I'm kind of small for my bike.

[@emsis3956]

Same with me lol

[@deltaninjadrm]

only fell 5 times in 9 weeks?

[@vertiqa225]

1:00 Thanks for clarifying this. I always made this mistake but now I know!

[@clymbr]

DUDE your video helped me SO MUCH! No matter how hard I tried I just could not get my front wheel high enough off the ground even though I was following the low hips and straight arms advice from other videos. The "L shape" is like actual magic!! I never thought I'd be so happy to loop out haha! Thank you!!

[@Commandmaster92]

I should get rocket boosters on my front wheel

[@rreevv.]

I have a jet booster for a project i could try this

[@anitalandkroon]

😂 me to

[@AlM9SlDEWlNDER]

About feathering the brake, I found that setting my lever position closer to the handle bar and squeezing it just until it dragged before manualing let me control the braking better vs panic pulling and having the brake trigger full force really early. I feel like the panic pull reaction is due to having 0 braking for a good amount of travel of your lever before the brakes engage. By presqueezing, you give a slight pressure, and the brakes have an immediate effect, vs zero braking for half the lever travel, then sudden braking.

[@Olimorveu]

I guess I'm going to need a dropper post on my XC bike ;)

[@RobAndersonLeedsMTB]

Thanks what I'm thinking!!

[@Sam-w9des]

pick me one up too ; )

[@peterlang5047]

or just lower the seat post every time.

[@stevewalston7089]

A proper dropper?

[@toasterboiardee7033]

my " XC " bike is a commencal meta ht am that came with a dropper

[@danielmackey6594]

I've watched a lot of videos on how to manual, but this is the first time I've heard lock your elbows (I already do this for wheelies... so it makes perfect sense now), and make a down and then back movement with your hips. I think this should really help! Thank you for sharing these tips!

[@victor2410]

Great teacher! The L-shape tip worked great. Just realized I've been pumping and pulling quite a bit with my arms and it caused arm pain when i practiced. Now I can practice manuals without my arms getting worn out.

[@britishgecko8502]

This video may be 6 years old, but thanks to this video I have managed to reach balance point, get past balance point, cut my knee and break my grip... 10/10 advice and instructions, now I just gotta actually get good. 😂👍

[@vitek_lorenc6517]

this video may be 8 years old, but helped me too xD

[@IIIIIIIIII395]

@@vitek_lorenc6517 same

[@chtubing81]

Neil! Unbelievable! After trying for months- i finally found your vid and yesterday i tried while keeping in mind and focussing on the L-shape-thing with the boday! And... I almost fell of my bike backwards!.... Wow! Thank you so much and keep coming with these fantastic vids!

[@mitchmoe6224]

You guys really have the coolest videos.... Well spoken, concise, no jibber jabber

[@canadianroot]

One of the best videos on how to manual that I’ve ever seen.

[@redman2124]

I always used to lift with my arms. thanks dude!

[@jesseb7022]

That tip about the L shape when engaging the manual is probably the best tip I've received for manuals. It really helps my balance once I get into the manual. I've had my smoothest, effortless manuals yet trying them tonight with that tip.

[@mr1988ajk]

Thanks don, i have been trying this for ages and only holding it for a couple seconds. I didn't realise keeping hips close to the wheel was so important.

[@kylemcnulty2710]

Super useful guys! Awesome to have some high quality tips like this. Had been struggling with maintaining the front wheel up the the L shape was hugely helpful, realized i'm definitely not low enough on the bike if I go down in a straight line. Stoked to try this out, thanks!

[@MuhammadHasan-qv6st]

finally after 1 or 2 months i was able to do the manual with the help of this video... now trying to balance in that position... its worth mentioning that i found out if you push your pedals forward during the L shape its alot easier to lift the front wheel... btw thanks gmbn

[@mrpinto3342]

@ RAD RESPECTIVE Oh Yeah, but how long can ya hold it ? 🏁🏁🏁

[@boringuserhandle]

This is the best description I've ever seen for a manual.

[@olivercox6007]

Gmbn has never failed me

[@alexlowe9863]

I have been doing it wrong all this time. Thanks so much for the in depth guide.

[@danilosx]

thanx bro, best manual tuto i've found. quick, simple and easy to understand

[@zachm1313]

I just watched ur wheelie vid and this one and they absoloutely help so much for the last 2 days ive been tring to wheelie and manual and this is gonna help me so much on my 3rd day! thx

[@rohanplatt1721]

clearest explanation ive seen. great video. all gmbn vids are really well presented. thank you

[@CenoWick]

Thank You for your Instruction they are easy to remember on the Trails.

[@markusonmtb4023]

thanks this video has helped me realise what i have been doing wrong when i attempt a wheelie and how to do the manual i now have my day more or less set for tommorow and evryday after

[@imperiallego578]

Finally a tutorial that helps and does what’s supposed to do

[@komorihirotaka3062]

L shape move really works like a magic. Many thanks.

[@mipendorf]

Another great video tutorial. So glad I found these!

[@Timon_-tc3rp]

Cool Video, I am german, but watch your Videos a Lot, because they help me riding my Bike better.

[@patdistefano523]

Hi GMBN going down towards the seat and then back has helped me heaps thanks pat

[@MultiAlxndr]

best tutorial i've seen on this thanks heaps

[@williamkeys5701]

Thanks fort the best video on this technique on the interwebs. I used it today on a drop and it was the smoothest I've ever done. This after ten plus years of riding off road!

[@gmbn]

William Keys Thanks and well done! Neil

[@DirtDigglerDetecting]

Best Explanation i have heard yet. thank you 2020

[@lachlanmtb7540]

Thanks to this video I can now manual better then I ever imagined!

[@sergiosepuxD]

This video is the most helpful that i found in all Internet

[@gregbess3302]

I have watched this vid SO MANY times and still not got this sorted ... then last week i saw it differently ... when Neil shows the backward movement of his hips in the L Shape he talks about pushing his weight back ... if you watch his body in relation to the background he (Neil) is travelling in a constant speed but (when he pushes back) his bike accelerates forward ... i saw this as him pushing the bike forward rather than pushing his weight back ... this was like turning a light on for me ... I am now thinking of pushing the bike ahead of me in that moment and i can immediately see and feel what Im trying to achieve so much better ... its deffo helping ... maybe it`ll help you too thinking of it this way ...

[@marciliomarques2243]

thank you! now I'm evolving. I thought I was old enough to learn that.

[@diamondcakeyvr6940]

This helped! I was cutting the corner every time!

[@ag2338]

Thanks!only me in my class known manual whellie endo fakie and bunny hop i learned that from u gmbn best

[@domtom010]

Thanks for posting this man. I’ve been doing this wrong for years! No wonder I could never do it lol Subbed 👌🏾

[@ryanthompson2314]

Wow I have been doing this wrong for a long time! Thanks for the great video, I'll try it tomorrow.

[@Igormigo]

It is a really cool teaching of the manual! Kudos for it, and thanks to upload it!;)

[@gmbn]

Daniel Rucsko No problem, glad you find it useful. Neil

[@gilbertoberretta4361]

Thank's this helped me a lot

[@JuanCarlos-nt5gt]

Great..... not a lot of channels explain manuals like you do, keep going..

[@abassi1173]

Digging the Nomad color scheme 👌

[@Oatmealforlife]

Hey guys I love your videos they're very interesting and helpful I have been subscribed to you guys since you had 2000 subscribers I have watched all your videos I watch them every day. Keep making videos they are awesome and remember life's to short not to go big.

[@gmbn]

Zachariah Ramos Hey Zachariah, Thats cool we really appreciate your support. Thanks for your comment, Marc

[@stevestephens7167]

LOVED THIS VIDEO! VERY INFORMATIVE!!!!

[@chanunpornu7589]

Thanks, this is a big help for a beginner like me.

[@rikoshea4221]

Thanks guys this was helpful

[@naveed_]

Best mtb channel out there

[@egs7233]

awesome instructions!! great professor!!

[@janrie7330]

a word on geometry: it's probably the most important thing in a manual. I never got my front wheel up on my hardtail. Two day ago I got my Canyon Spectral and now I can instantly do a 2-3s manual. So, if you have trouble getting your front wheel up despite pushing hard into the pedals, get a smaller bike!

[@bigred3336]

wish i had youtube back in the 90s when i was kid to learn all these tricks!

[@philipmaffey2680]

Great explanation. Thanks

[@mizsbae5545]

Very useful. Thanks for the tips ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍

[@pink43560]

As always superb videos!

[@hiyyer1]

Nice one mate...thank you....

[@Sticks0915]

So I'm one of those that's been doing this wrong since I started mountain biking 20 years ago. Found this video and put on some gym shoes instead of my clipless shoes and started working on it. Dropped my saddle and started trying. first 10 min I could tell I was pulling with my arms too much. Kept thinking about the L shape (hard to tell if you are physically doing it wrong because you can't see yourself). Kept working and felt like the wheel was coming up better then BAM the last time freaked me out because it was effortless and the wheel really came up. I was a bit surprised :-o. Must have hit the L just right. Definitely need to work on it more, figured I'd stop while.i was ahead and maybe find some grass instead of the blacktop so if I do go.back it won't be as bad. First this then on to properly doing a bunny hop and not charting pulling up with my clips! Thanks for all your videos fellas you are helping make me a better rider!! Looks like I might need to invest in a dropper post. Thanks for this video Neil!

[@zelachotv8940]

best tuto for manual ever

[@acroashleyxo]

this is so awesome for BMXERS too... THANKS man

[@mundaydrums]

That's the "L" shape! Perfect demo! I see it now. Thanks!

[@tebebiketok4950]

Yep, that was the key. Just learned to manual with my Trek Slash today. I would also emphasis the importance of pushing with your feed.

[@declanallan885]

super awesome video dude!

[@albertrynkowski3599]

thank you!

[@Foxcastle472]

excellent tips, can't wait to try this weekend. How about some tips on how to hit jumps, im always jealous of the guys on the trail doing whips

[@HammerBlow500]

You guys make this look so easy. I just tried it and fell off several times >_< I need a lot of practice lol

[@coreygauthier4132]

don't lose hope. It's a skill that is really difficult and takes lots of practice.

[@MrWookLoaf]

I would like to add to this. I've found stem length played a factor in this for me personally. I had a stock 5" stem on my bars and was having a bitch of a time. I thought a shorter stem would let me get my hips back further, so the local bike shop had a cheap bin and got a new one for $15. After that I found it quite a bit easier to get and keep my front wheel up.

[@DenverPTJon]

Awesome video. You guys rock. Love your channel. Come to Colorado and ride sometime.

[@rockethound69]

You guys seriously kick ass!

[@jujurock64]

Awesome video by the way!!!

[@MarsRacingYorkshire]

great video..it's highlighted 2 things I'm doing wrong. need to practice man I really want to manual.!

[@charlespalmerii4299]

i know you made this many moons ago, but I wanted to first thank you...... Your videos help me a lot as I am getting back into MTB after 15 year of being away from it, and even back then I never knew how to do the things you are teaching me today. I just got a 2021 Giant Trance 3 29er , and my goal is to get through all the basics you are your team of riders have created for us.... So big thanks to you and the team.... I want to be the best I can be as a MTB Rider, I live in a Great area for it , near Tucson , AZ, some of the best riding in the USA... Your videos are a big help to me and my family.... :)

[@woogie2027]

ayy same bike u just got 29er's

[@hokiejosh08]

Totally nailed using my weight to get the front wheel up for the first time today, rode the manual for about 15' ... before i completely forgot to cover the rear brake, bailed, and took chunks out of both palms. Next time, manual, next time.

[@richardkovanda1707]

well described, cheers!

[@bikeinquire9307]

Awesome.

[@117Oblivion117]

I'm kinda scared that I'll push my weight too far back and end up flipping. Not that I'm particularly heavy, but it's that weird feeling. I recently learned how to do a simple hop on my Yeti ASR (the triangular shapey one, probably older model) and these videos are helping me loads. One day I'll get the hang of the Yeti and trails. It's weird, being primarily a roadie, but ehh best of both worlds. No idea whether you guys have the 'how to adjust shock/front derailleur ' kind of videos, I'll thoroughly check this channel out though.

[@Panagiwtis_Agrimis]

Very usefull! Thnx!

[@zavolaine8565]

this rly helped me

[@SamuelMARTYN]

for 300 000 special do a montage of manuals, wheelies, big jumps and stuff like that.

[@gnarlyharley9825]

Great video!!!

[@roberts3423]

Recommended practising doing this on a flat grass surface, like a football field, can find those in most cities or a park. The grass will cushion if you fall backwards.

[@recseiroland2748]

Thank you

[@alltermfusion6090]

Sick video! 🤙🏾

[@robertonjr10]

I tried a month ago and no success, Then got back at it, and got it to lift the front for a second or two (which is nice), also what helped me the most was that I started to focus on pushing the bike with my legs to do the L shape

[@IFTY_MTB]

Neil you are such a good presenter. Thanks for the videos

[@M4ri4zs]

thank you

[@dfbrownnz]

I needed a new bike. Had a 10 year old sepc and the upgraded to a new entry level hard tail. Huge difference in frame geometry helped me balance my weight back. How about a video on why you should upgrade... frame geo is the big one but bars grips brakes tyres have all improved and how this effects a persons ride.

[@justridemtbofficial9483]

thanks

[@karaandtannerhopkins666]

Tjis is al i need thanks

[@FreeworldOL]

How to jump, beginnners through to advanced incl whips?

[@gmbn]

FreeworldOL Hey Freeworld, Our jumping edit is on its way, keep an eye out for that one. We are also working on how to Whip as well, It will be a separate edit. Thanks for your comment. Marc

[@punatanii278]

Well explained

[@lucaspeters1463]

I can manual pretty well on my bike(XC-Sport Trail Hardtail), sometimes i can't lift my back wheel high enough to feel the balance point though. It does take a pretty strong pump to lift the front wheel high enough to feel the balance point... I tried manualing my friend's bike, a VERY short Ghost full sus XC bike(full carbon or partially carbon, not sure), it's quite a bit lighter than my bike which is 13kg but it also seems like a much smaller bike. When i tried to manual that thing with the same technique as my bike the front wheel came up like a rocketship,i fell on my back as i didn't even have enough time to jump over the back or even hit the brake, IT WAS INSTANT... I'm not gonna try touching that bike again, but i realised that bikes do make a diffrence.

[@MrConner008]

Thank you=)

[@Santac82]

That was cool I'm going to try and I'm just in grade one 😁😁

[@mikemumford1327]

Thanks

[@AlexanderMacleod]

Great Video

[@valdresgutadn8762]

Thx❤