Why is it so Hard to Ride Backwards on a Bike? || How to Fakie

Why is it so difficult to control a bike rolling backwards? Through a couple of years in which I've practiced Fakies a ton, I found an interesting secret about this technique, which should help you understand it better when you're learning it.
I'll also show you a couple of easy ways you can practice them more efficiently.
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Instagram: @max_fiergolla
inquiries: [e-mail]
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Songs (in order):
Tip Toes by Myuu
Tiptoe Out the Back by Dan Lebowitz
The Curious Kitten by Aaron Kenny
It'll Be Alright by R.LUM.R
Here's Why it is so Hard to Ride Backwards on a Bike
#howtofakie #learntofakie

[@TheUselessTrials]

I want to add that the forwards-riding-'counter steering' to lean into a turn from going straight was explained in a very simplified way here. The KZbin channel 'minutephysics' has some great videos explaining the weirdness of bike steering in more detail, if you're curious to learn more! kzbin.info/www/bejne/op21nJlnm9OBeq8&

[@xistsixt]

I've needed 15 years of riding and 3 years of it intense downhill to figure that out consciously... Interesting that the body was doing it many years allready...

[@thebikehippie6562]

4:26 Dude!

[@clooskey]

This. Made me do the "what the fuck just happened" look :D

[@GasGrassOrAssetto]

When he did the fakie 540 I had to rewind it a couple times to process what just happened

[@huck2998]

@@GasGrassOrAssetto 540 cab

[@Palpitacje]

As usually - supreme understanding of technique, great insight and useful tips. Keep it up!

[@DavidTube5]

This is genius. I've been riding BMX for 4 years and haven't figure out how to fakie consistently. Definitely will try leaning back

[@segoriskjohnny7916]

I've been riding a month now and I can fakie consistently over and over. BUT... Only right away from a flatground 180/ramp. If I have to travel any kind of distance. God help the scooter kid behind me 😂 cause I will just change direction with each rotation of my crank.

[@mrNeko126]

Stay Careful. Just yesterday, i leaned back and went down hard. Now i got a sprained wrist/ possibly a fracture. 😅 Best of luck

[@segoriskjohnny7916]

Ok it's been 2 months now and I have to say, this video changed everything. I can now fakie very consistently even into full cabs and tyre slides both directions. The trick is like he said leaning back like a manual when you're going fast. (Also for the tyre slide) Just beware of looping out cause you can bash your head hard from this position when you're sending it... So.. stairs, rocking quarters or even 180'ing flat if you're going fast enough. The whip is real, I could totally imagine myself bashing the back of my head off the floor. I have fell on my back a few times! Definitely wear a helmet people! 😂

[@PeepMeRide]

Hey Max! That makes a lot of sense about moving the rear wheel to the direction you’re failing when going fast. I assumed my struggles when doing faster fakies were from over correcting. Great video!

[@TheUselessTrials]

Yeah, it gets quite confusing, doesn't it? I actually find fast fakies easier to control than slow ones now that I've got a lot of experience with them.

[@danielchen8153]

Yes, i have the same problem. Good at slow fakies and fail in faster ones. This tutorial is great!

[@alexnelson09]

What a fantastic explanation. I find it rare that other bikers think mechanically or physically about how to ride. Thank you!

[@alimantado373]

GOAT of fakie tutorials... still cant do them long but!... Still the GOAT of Fakie Tuts!

[@jeffmckinley452]

Now that's proper teaching tech thanks mate.

[@swoofty1]

You've done it again mate, another superb tutorial. Keep it up!

[@jakewojack5817]

No doubt the best bike channel on youtube right now

[@mtb_hucker]

This is fantastic! I really enjoy your break downs, insights and educational approach. High quality stuff!

[@aaron.biketrials]

I Love How analytical you get into these videos is fascinating to hear a different point of view

[@astral_brain]

Perfect! This was the video I was looking for.

[@luca.morell]

Thank you for sharing your deep understanding, so inspiring :D

[@freakyfast2677]

Du machst echt sehr informative Videos =D Vielen Dank für das super tutorial, wird direkt umgesetzt! Mach weiter so!

[@cedrikwepunkt6250]

Man kann sich schon denken wie lange das schneiden alleine gedauert haben muss. Bin sehr dankbar für dieses Video! 🙏

[@Mannny42]

Awesome video! Can't wait to try it out and also waiting for the "How to get out of it"! Keep up the good work

[@konstantinlookeen8663]

awesome ! you solved my problem ,thank you so much , I always did fast fakie with hop and ..I did't realize why sometimes it worked sometimes not .that was speed ! and you explained how it works so brilliant , much apreciated

[@seattlegrrlie]

Great video. I'm obsessed.... I must learn this trick

[@rikwal8635]

Love these tutorial videos

[@suspicioustumbleweed4760]

Reminds me of the reverse steering bike. Well done analysis

[@grantjoslyn3638]

I have been wondering this! Thank you!

[@joketts9029]

Nice video, your way of explaining skills is a real talent on its own

[@Surge_LaChance]

This was great! Thank you!

[@zach3379]

good vid, thanks for the tips man! please keep making more

[@MikelBusta]

Great content Max! Every video of your channel is definetly worth it which doesn’t happen very often nowadays...👌🏻🔥

[@TheUselessTrials]

Thanks Mikel! Your videos aren't bad either ;)

[@paulogoncalvesmtb]

Amazing video, thanks!

[@PunchingCacti]

By far the best video describing how to learn this

[@wellimmike]

Thanks a lot! Very comprehensive, and articulated well.

[@mr.e8282]

Absolutely awesome vid.

[@casefiles1]

Great video! Well put 🤘🏽

[@fernando_dominguez]

Awesome video and great skills, thank you!

[@matthewpope349]

Great video!!

[@GTIMAN2010]

Awesome video. Thank you

[@SH-ry2xi]

Super useful video thank you, gonna try leaning back now

[@monowheeling]

Cool insight!

[@-kev-]

Schön Jena in einem Bikevideo wiederzuerkennen :) super Tipps nebenbei 👍

[@abefrancis4137]

That’s great! Can’t wait for the bunny hop tutorial you mentioned.

[@octaviostim4124]

Helped alot thanks

[@slimsqde7397]

man i wish i saw this sooner, what he talked about on how the bike steers depending on where your wait is is something i figured out only last week. if only i had seen this when i first started learning...

[@NumbNutz12000]

Nice video dude, thanks

[@allloveulsan7850]

Very nice It's so cool

[@th_js]

Way better than all the mainstream channels

[@MP_Soundbox]

I LOOOOOVE this!

[@norrekaka3ks1]

Thank you so much. Your awesome

[@BruceChastain]

I really want to learn fakie, thanks for the video

[@slippy9916]

SWEET ASS RIDE, I Like's the polished look 🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁

[@Wealthescapeplan]

Gotta put in the HOURS 👍🏽

[@gogovitch66]

Allright! Thx 👊🏽

[@PuhlusMaximus]

Thank you bro👍🏻 Now i know what to do and i can try to do a fakie🥰 Your the beeeest🔥

[@TheUselessTrials]

Pleasure! 👊

[@choosing.tangent]

well done!

[@andryushenko98]

Best MTB how-tos

[@cascaderetriever7618]

Thanks!

[@Shootinglefty]

Thank u!

[@mariola7198]

Es gibt auf YT auch Leute die echt durchdacht und verständlich erklären können, aber DU hier - du bist der Hammer!! 🔨 😎🤩 Auch deine anderen Clips... MEGA!! Deutsche Perfektion trifft auf verständliche Ingenieursgedanken! 😎😅 Btw... ...wo ist eigentlich der Park mit den Rampen ?? Grüße aus der stuttgarter Gegend! 🙂

[@luisernst91]

0:34 xD. I have the same back wheel. Absolutely the same one. I also have one for my frontwheel butni dont use it. The wheel is on my old bmx. Tomorrow im getting a new one

[@notsaucemanofficial]

Best fakie lesson ever. Hello from Russia!

[@TheUselessTrials]

✌

[@kudosbudo]

that thing you mentioned about your body position. On a scooter I've found that like a bike moving your weight backwards aids fakie. EDIT update!. I made progress. I switched back to learning it on a 24" BMX. I have learnt to hop into fakie and can make it a meter or two! Originally I was learning to 360 off teh floor but not being strong enough yet to lift all the way round I landed 180 with the intention to learn to come out of that fakie position straight away. But instead found my earlier nose bump endo to fakie practice meant I could actually gain some distance fakie. Now I just need more practice AND to learn how to come out of fakie without putting one foot down (I'm very close to learning it!). Thanks for the vids, they are very helpful. oh EDIT!. Interesting little trick for you to learn. I have no idea what its called but its related to BMX pump track tricks. The idea is to see if you can get your bike moving forward with ONLY the front wheel/steering. So you would swing the bars left and right and gain speed similar to how a snake propels itself along. So far I can use it to sustain speed and increase speed from a very low start speed. Its a really fun simple physics trick I think you would like.

[@crocker7687]

It's called flat pumping I think 🤔👍

[@sinsemilea7290]

Extremely helpfull my bones Thanks you protecting them for me xd

[@TheOnlyDJChillWill]

I like this.

[@sambike2436]

Make a sick riding edit with music and stuff please! Keep up the work,I really like your channel!🤘👍

[@mtbhighlands]

Fantastic video! Any chance you could do one on reverts at some point as you seem to have them dialled!

[@JAYFLATLDN]

I've been doing this for many many years, I didn't know it was so hard until i watched this video.

[@andulasis6283]

took me days - weeks to land my first fakie. even now i only land 1/20 or so. its quiet hard to master

[@schildknaap_van_gent]

nice !

[@vinzaputra]

I do skateboard, but i always wonder why it's so difficult to ride backward in bike. Great explanation mate

[@Banana-rg9pz]

I already know how to do fakies. But i watched the video anyways because of the great quality

[@chain.driven]

Awesome video, thank you. I’m trying to learn this on a trials bike/motorcycle. It should still be possible to roll backwards and keep balance without peddling right as long as I have momentum?

[@mountmckinley5924]

Where is this park? Looks great but not too big. Thanks for your great tutorials. Learned a lot since

[@TheUselessTrials]

It's in Weimar, Germany. Might be a bit far away for you. :D

[@rguezmunoztomas]

Was the mentioned bunny hop tutorial ever done? I cannot seem to find it This video is great, very clever!

[@TheUselessTrials]

That video still requires a lot of work. It should be out later this year.

[@rguezmunoztomas]

@@TheUselessTrials thanks for replying. I'm glad it's going to be an in-depth video then!

[@sideisrehn9691]

waiting for the bunnyhop :)

[@easystyle4747]

Sitting down makes it way way easier. It took about a month to get decent at it doing the ramp method sitting down. Don't worry about going straight when you first learn too. I was carving all over the place. Standing fakies took much longer. I was able to hang on for short distances to get out of 180's quickly but to actually go 10+ parking spots took more than 2 years. You'll notice that you're going to be better at turning in one direction. Once you realize this, force yourself to really practice turning the other direction. Also, when you do the leaning back thing, try to get into that position as quick as possible, especially after a 180. Don't linger on the front even for a second. I also think a freecoaster is easier for maintaining speed and keeping the lean back position.

[@baldomiglecz2520]

When I do a fakie I always feel like Michael Jackson.

[@proforttv5676]

Your insane can you do a downhill vid

[@Vimau02]

ESTA INFORMACIÓN VALE MILLONES. JPG

[@EvangelosMTB]

Nice video man! Thank u! I only have one question (checked the comments dint see it...): If you do Fakie with a MTB, which gear is beter to use? I m learning, but i have diffuculties in choosing the best gear...

[@TheUselessTrials]

It doesn't matter a whole lot. A medium to high gear should be good, so you don't have to pedal insanely fast.

[@archetypex65]

I like your videos and your instructions Max 👍 But with the counter steering you've got it a bit wrong. The rider does not turn the bars in a different direction to initiate a turn. It's actually the front wheel and the steering axis that does that. When you want to turn right you push on the right side of the handlebar. For a brief fraction of a second the wheel will actually Point left and then fall into the right. This is known as counter steering. If a rider pushed left and then pushed right there would be a lag or a delay in being able to turn right and at higher speeds it becomes very dangerous to push both left and right depending on the lean angle. It's different if you're going through a chicane or a series of Corners with space in between the apexes. so what's you're explaining is the physics of the bike not the rider I think you just got it mixed up but you do understand the concept 👍👌 And as far as why the rear wheel will not steer, is because there is no steering axis it's solidly attached to the frame with no pivot or axis point. You provide a great explanation of why the rear will not steer and why you have to shift your weight 👌

[@henrylaird9028]

Can you do a street ride video of the skatepark in the video?

[@tomasbernat9]

Super video and CAN you get on KZbin video about jumping no street trial bike please i need it

[@IgorDz]

Bunny hop is the same technique for any bike, from bmx to full suspension DH

[@tomasbernat9]

Yes but theuselestrial heve Very good videos

[@downhill2472]

Please do a how to crankflip

[@Devast8r34]

👏👏👏

[@rolfvomgolf3721]

Kommst du aus Jena? Die ecke bei 0:40 kam mir bekannt vor

[@eter1001]

great ! I want to go back to riding bike like useless trials for example and not boring ride forward :D, but tell me, what is your bike ? What wheel size ? 20" or 24" only "Inspired" is making frames like yours ? What to look for ?

[@OlExtraRegularBass]

I rode a track bike for my twenties, just got a BMX for my 37th birthday. Hopefully riding backward circles in parking lots will transfer something to the small bike.

[@Snapback1881]

What bike is the grey one? Looks really nice! Is it a 26"?

[@TheUselessTrials]

It's my old Inspired Fourplay, which is a 24" street trials bike.

[@Snapback1881]

@@TheUselessTrials Oh, really? 24"? Hmm, how long was u in the video?

[@jomorkenstrseth3526]

please tech us to turn a quarterpipe, the steps before going over the coping, just the getting around part. I just cnat get my head around it, and it looks super easy. Just going up yhe quarter and coming down the other way...|

[@sole__doubt]

Thank goodness for planetary coasters. :)

[@adamlummis7519]

I can fakie out of a 7 foot quarter pipe took me a couple weeks then the whole park was turnin their heads to me and my bike 🤟🏼

[@anthonyrybczynski5420]

Are you always wearing a clip in style shoe and pedals? Or just plain shoes?

[@1tapheadshot664]

any tips for doing a fakie on a freecoaster when you dont gotta pedal backwards??

[@philippseidel3733]

I got a freecoaster👌

[@kroger8507]

Max ,what kind of bike is this?

[@JSB-2Z-2K]

for real the simplest things are the hardest on a bike. I cannot ride fakie or manual and wheelie on a bmx but on a skateboard it's easy to learn even if its for a small time, but i cant do it on a bmx even for a second

[@beefnacos6258]

I got good at riding wheelies but sucked at fakie and manual

[@JSB-2Z-2K]

@@beefnacos6258 I'm not even trying manuals or fakies now they feel way too awkward for me and it feels like i will eat pavement everytime. Weird that these are harder on a bike then a skate, while bunny hops are easier to learn then ollies

[@nilschuiche7558]

Kannst du später mal bitte ein Tutorial zum Backwards Manual machen?

[@TheUselessTrials]

Vielleicht 😁

[@thomaswarren2699]

"..doing this a couple times, you feed your brain with data on what certain steering inputs do" Spoken like a true German!

[@sprocketcycles4424]

What brakes do you use on your trials bike

[@TheUselessTrials]

The old Saint M810 because they're more reliable than the new ones.

[@jasonconcepcion4200]

What kind of bike is that? It’s cool

[@TheUselessTrials]

They're called street trials bikes. The one in this video is an Inspired Fourplay.

[@markusvakalis7369]

Straightening your arms and leaning a bit back makes it much easier

[@dim8436]

how to fullcap?

[@VlogEpicness]

Once I fakied 3 feet 👌🏻