How to Do a Manual on a Bicycle

Last Updated: December 30, 2019 References

A manual, also known as a coasting wheelie, is similar to a catwalk. The difference is that manuals do not require pedaling. The lack of pedaling means that manuals can be done at much higher speeds.

Steps

1
Master the wheelie before trying the manual.^{[1]
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2
Get up to a reasonable speed. You want to go fast enough to provide momentum, but not so fast that you can not control yourself.^{[2]
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3
When you are ready to manual, get your pedals parallel to the ground.^{[3]
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4
Load the front wheel.
5
Pop the front wheel off the ground and shift your weight back on the bike in one motion. Your arms should be straight when you lean back. You are not holding the front wheel up with you arms. You are shifting your body weight to balance the front wheel in the air. Your center of gravity should be right over the rear axle. Make sure to have your legs strait so its easier to stay up.^{[4]
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6
See how long you can keep your balance.^{[5]
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7
Pull your body forward and the front wheel will drop.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I keep my balance?

Conner Oram

Community Answer

Keep steady and keep the bike straight and it will work.
Question

How do I keep the manual going?

Community Answer

You can find a place to practice on a hill. Once you can master going uphill with a manual, then you can start trying to work on downhill.
Question

Why can’t I get the front wheel high enough to find my balance point?

Jack Gauld

Community Answer

If you lean back more, it will help because there's more weight on the back.

Warnings

Sometimes you will over-rotate and fall of the back of the bike. Do not use clip-in pedals when you are learning to manual.

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If you lean to far back and you fall off make sure that you jump off the bike on to your feet so that you're holding the front tire off the ground.

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Wear a helmet whenever you are riding your bike.

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