What makes a bike easy to manual?

wycombephil
wycombephil Posts: 123
edited July 2011 in MTB general
I went on a demo day a year or so ago and tried a Yeti 575. It was the easiest bike I've ever ridden when it came to keeping the front end up over drop offs and manualling over stuff.

My mate bought the same model year 575, same size etc etc so it should ride the same right? Wrong!!

So what is it about a bike build that makes it easy to manual?

Comments

  • JonnyN
    JonnyN Posts: 181
    Balance....
    "Time you enjoy wasting, is not a waste of time"

    "I'm too young to be too old for this shit"

    Specialized FSRxc Expert 2008
    Kona Stinky 2008 (Deceased)
    Trek Scratch Air 8 2010 (Work in Progress)
  • rowlers
    rowlers Posts: 1,614
    The rider, I don't think it would matter what I ride, I'll still struggle to manual!!
    Felt F1
    Deda Acciaio
    Pro6
    Cotic Soul
  • wycombephil
    wycombephil Posts: 123
    Mine or the bike :D

    OK, balance. So what makes a bike balanced?
  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    Burberry caps and tracky bottoms tucked into socks seem to make a bike easy to manual
    2385861000_d125abe796_m.jpg
  • specialeyes
    specialeyes Posts: 542
    Andy B wrote:
    Burberry caps and tracky bottoms tucked into socks seem to make a bike easy to manual
    :lol:
    Hardrock Sport Disc

    Cotic bfe
  • JonnyN
    JonnyN Posts: 181
    weight distribution... weight of forks, front wheel etc...
    "Time you enjoy wasting, is not a waste of time"

    "I'm too young to be too old for this shit"

    Specialized FSRxc Expert 2008
    Kona Stinky 2008 (Deceased)
    Trek Scratch Air 8 2010 (Work in Progress)
  • thepha5e
    thepha5e Posts: 118
    light front end, short stem, low seat
    Hardcore hardtail:
    viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12830105

    And a single speed commuter bike:
    viewtopic.php?t=12787405
  • captainfly
    captainfly Posts: 1,001
    Light front end and heaps of confidence, I also find shorter cranks help the balance.
    -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
    Mongoose Teocali
    Giant STP0

    Why are MTB economics; spend twice as much as you intended, but only half as much as you wish you could afford? :roll:
  • slimboyjim
    slimboyjim Posts: 367
    Short rear triangle, no rear suspension and practice?
  • Raymondavalon
    Raymondavalon Posts: 5,346
    rowlers wrote:
    The rider, I don't think it would matter what I ride, I'll still struggle to manual!!

    I have to agree on the above comment
    My son can manual any MTB, as for me, I couldn't if you held a gun to my head...
    The Bouncer
    The Shaker
  • paul.skibum
    paul.skibum Posts: 4,068
    It is nothing to do with a light front end and what not - body balance on the bike is key (not bike balance) - a short chainstay will help for sure but your balance on the bike is the key thing.

    The good riders around the mountain where I am can manual whatever bike you choose. They are just good.

    But I understand starting with a hardtail with a short stem and flat pedals might be best!
    Closet jockey wheel pimp whore.
  • thepha5e
    thepha5e Posts: 118
    manualing from one pump to another (or another trail feature like roots or bumps) is a good way to learn
    Hardcore hardtail:
    viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12830105

    And a single speed commuter bike:
    viewtopic.php?t=12787405
  • lostboysaint
    lostboysaint Posts: 4,250
    Anyone who says bike and not rider is wrong.

    Obviously there's things about a bike that may make it easier to manual IF you have the technique, but if you haven't you won't be manualling anything.
    Trail fun - Transition Bandit
    Road - Wilier Izoard Centaur/Cube Agree C62 Disc
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  • wycombephil
    wycombephil Posts: 123
    Agree that technique is important but there are definitely differences between bikes. So far concensus seems to be short chain stays, short stem and a light front end.
  • mkf
    mkf Posts: 242
    +1 specialeyes

    every chav can do it, whats with that
  • nozzac
    nozzac Posts: 408
    wycombephil wrote:
    Agree that technique is important but there are definitely differences between bikes. So far concensus seems to be short chain stays, short stem and a light front end.

    You can add high bars, short top tube to that. Anything that gets your weight back and helps with the leverage on the bars. Think BMX vs road racing bike.

    I don't think the weight of the front has much to do with it to be honest, unless you've got a basket full of shopping on there.
  • jay12
    jay12 Posts: 6,306
    a low seat and your skill. sometimes a light front end can help but it's up to you really. just lean back, pull up, keep a finger ready on the back brake incase you over rotate and that about it. i find jumps or similar super easy to manual because the lip naturally brings up the front end so you just have to keep it up
    KINESIS PHA5E WIP

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  • JonnyN
    JonnyN Posts: 181
    jay12 wrote:
    the lip naturally brings up the front end so you just have to keep it up

    ...said the actress to the bishop.
    "Time you enjoy wasting, is not a waste of time"

    "I'm too young to be too old for this shit"

    Specialized FSRxc Expert 2008
    Kona Stinky 2008 (Deceased)
    Trek Scratch Air 8 2010 (Work in Progress)
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    lostboysaint wrote:
    Anyone who says bike and not rider is wrong.

    sorry WRONG.

    If a rider is able to manual a bike then they should be able to manual most. Not true the bike does make a big difference. On a fully the bike set up also makes a big difference.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • wycombephil
    wycombephil Posts: 123
    @Nick


    Please explain (particularly the comment about full sus setup being important...)
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    As your weight shifts back, the suspension compresses more. This affects how easy it is to lift the front end and keep it there. So different amounts of sag, or models will behave marekedly different.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

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  • captainfly
    captainfly Posts: 1,001
    lostboysaint wrote:
    Anyone who says bike and not rider is wrong.

    Really?

    BK3266.jpg
    -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
    Mongoose Teocali
    Giant STP0

    Why are MTB economics; spend twice as much as you intended, but only half as much as you wish you could afford? :roll:
  • mossychops
    mossychops Posts: 262
    Can anyone give me any tips on riding on the back wheel?

    Getting the balance right before going over the back means I chicken out every time before I get high enough!
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Practice practice practice! On grass lol
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • wycombephil
    wycombephil Posts: 123
    Thanks guys - some good ideas to play about with this weekend
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    wycombephil wrote:
    @Nick


    Please explain (particularly the comment about full sus setup being important...)

    it can put emphasis the falling back feel. as your COG moves back the spring has more work to do so compresses more exaggerating the feel that you are going of the back.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Shaggy_Dog
    Shaggy_Dog Posts: 688
    A short stem is the most important thing, as to light front ends making a difference, utter fluff, my '06 Enduro was much easier to manual than my XC hardtail and I'm pretty sure the front end was a fair bit heavier with DH wheels and a fox 36 Van! Wide bars seem to help a little but I have no idea why!
    I had to beat them to death with their own shoes...
    HiFi Pro Carbon '09

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  • Briggo
    Briggo Posts: 3,537
    Meh, who cares about manualling thats what suspension is for :P

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