Shorter stem / higher rise bars or more practice?

[Pieter1]

I think it also helps with learning to bunny hop properly, and to a certain degree learning how to do drop offs in certain situations.

It really does. Even if you can’t manual for days it helps in a lot of situations.

[TyronLab]

I think being able to manual for an extended amount of time isn't really a trail skill, but, learning the balance needed and the bike manipulation that goes along with it should make you more comfortable in the air and in floating over obstacles rather than bashing through them.

[Jewbacca]

Yes agreed knowing how to lift your front wheel to clear obstacles is important, but its not quite the same as manualling.... Manualing is basically wheeling while you are standing up....for fairly long distances (more than a couple of feet).

 

Learning to lift your wheel over common obstacles (log, rock, ditch, puddle, ect ) is much easier to learn compared to manualling like the videos teach.

There is a big difference between 'lifting your front wheel' and a manual. 

 

It puts you in a position where you can transition to being 'weightless' on the pedals. It also sets you up for bunny hops. Both of these allow you to 'skip' obstacles, thus carrying more speed than someone who can pick up their front wheel but wheel bashes everything with the back wheel.

 

I guess if you aren't using it and you're comfortable you probably don't need to start now?

 

Ever wonder how the really fast guys carry SO much speed through rock gardens or rollers into doubles or scrub jumps at 50kph? Manuals are the gateway 

[SwissVan]

There is a big difference between 'lifting your front wheel' and a manual. 

 

It puts you in a position where you can transition to being 'weightless' on the pedals. It also sets you up for bunny hops. Both of these allow you to 'skip' obstacles, thus carrying more speed than someone who can pick up their front wheel but wheel bashes everything with the back wheel.

 

I guess if you aren't using it and you're comfortable you probably don't need to start now?

 

Ever wonder how the really fast guys carry SO much speed through rock gardens or rollers into doubles or scrub jumps at 50kph? Manuals are the gateway 

 

 

Yes agreed knowing how to lift your front wheel to clear obstacles is important, but its not quite the same as manualling.... Manualing is basically wheeling while you are standing up....for fairly long distances (more than a couple of feet).

 

Learning to lift your wheel over common obstacles (log, rock, ditch, puddle, ect ) is much easier to learn compared to manualling like the videos teach.

 

 

That's the point i'm trying to make, for the average joe doing xcm / xco type riding, manuals are a nice skill to have but not an essential skill. I'd rather spend time practising other skills (cornering, descending, climbing) and improving fitness.

 

I wish i could manual properly tho, cool pre and post ride trick to impress the guys and girls