Learning Pivots On A Long Wb Bike

[Mod-out]

I'm just curious as to any techniques for rear-wheel pivots on a long bike. I ride a 2004 Zoo! Pitbull (1090mm wheelbase), and am 5'8". I have read the trashzen tutorials, but it's just such a struggle to lift the front wheel, let alone pivot once lifted (read, i can't pivot at all). Is there any trick to pedal-assisted pivots, or are they just not useful?

I can front-wheel pivot OK, but I find that I can never go more than 90º (it's been that way for maybe 2 years). I assume the trick here is going to be working up the will to lift the rear wheel higher...

To give an idea of my "level", I can trackstand (brakes on) in any position, backhop, do about 10-20 back wheel hops, and 10-20 consecutive pedalkicks consistently.

Background: I got into bike trials through trials unicycling *dives for cover*. I've ridden offroad and unicycle trials for 8 years, and bike commuted for 5 (rode a 2004 Fuji Panic). That's how I learned flat bunnyhops (whoops), trackstands, and basic pivots. I switched because unicycle trials got boring (there's much more emphasis on urban moves in unicycle trials than bike trials).

Edited December 31, 2009 by Mod-out

[rupintart]

Rear wheel pivots are a lot trickier than the front because you do not have pivot point, i.e the headset. You can pretty much look straight down, and still pivot.

With the rear, you have to turn your head and shoulders to point your torso where you wanna go. It is significantly harder because of the problem you stated, getting the front wheel up. On the front wheel, most of your weight is already there and you can pretty much just lift your legs and shift the bike. With the rear, you have to get the front up, and twist with your shoulders. It takes a bit more body language, even more than you initially think.

The trick to getting the front up is leaning back HARD, or do a slight pedal to help get the front up. If you're wanting to get 180 degrees, you'll notice that the 1st 90 degrees are the front coming up, the next 45 are with the bike up, and the last 45 are on the down end.

Get in the push-up position on your knees, and to do a 180 pivot on your knees, notice how much shoulder twist and movement you need and how hard you have to push(pull) up. Look at where you want to go and lift and twist your shoulders. Do the same thing, but on the bike. It's a pretty similar movement.

Anything more than 180, and I can't really help you as I'm not very consistent with more than 180 and not leaving the ground. For me to get more than 180, I have to hop.

But good luck!