Hook, Tap, Sidehop, And Up To Front Help.

[matt tomlinson]

i searched for a while with this sites search function and looked in the frequently asked questions but i didn't find anything on this topic. basically i am looking for help with the moves mentioned in the title (hooks, up to fronts, sidehops , and taps). i guess so i don't get overloaded i am going to concentrate on the up to front and hook first. my problems with the up to front move is that i just cant commit ,there seems to be a mental block whenever i try it. i can picture the move and i feel i have a pretty good grasp on what needs to happen but i cannot for the life of me put it into practice. i guess i am looking for suggestions on how to commit more or ways to practice the body motions without actually doing the move. on hooks i also have the basic grasp i just don't think i am reacting fast enough. i also have a few questions on the actual mechanics of the move. when i get up i don't think i am keeping my body moving up which is pretty integral from my understanding of the move. what i think kills most of that momentum though is not really knowing what to do after i get into position do you guys keep the front brake on and pivot the bike up from the front tire or not use the front brake and just push the bike up the rest of the obstacle. i can't really tell from watching videos of others.also i am not trying to do this up a wall, i am using a stack of pallets with one pallet on the side that makes a sharp 80 degree angle, i figured it would be easier to learn this way. i know video of myself would help this thread immensely but unfortunately i don't have any of these moves. thank you all in advance for any help.

[Revolver]

Pro tip: Splitting your post up onto different lines makes it easier to read and so more people will want to help.

The fundamental part of up to fronts is that the front wheel lands after the rear wheel takes off, so I practice doing that on relatively low stuff, maybe up to 2 feet or something, 3 feet. Bear in mind the technique changes as you get higher, you need to go up more.

[matt tomlinson]

Pro tip: Splitting your post up onto different lines makes it easier to read and so more people will want to help.

The fundamental part of up to fronts is that the front wheel lands after the rear wheel takes off, so I practice doing that on relatively low stuff, maybe up to 2 feet or something, 3 feet. Bear in mind the technique changes as you get higher, you need to go up more.

yeah i guess i could of separated the parts that are about up to fronts and doing hooks, but at the time i felt that it worked fine that way.

back on the up to front deal i was trying it on a two foot stack of pallets this afternoon but i always just freeze on it. i guess essentially what i am asking here is how the hell do you learn the motions without going out and just trying the move. because just going out and trying the move is not working and at this rate i don't foresee it working. what can i do to become comfortable with the move beyond just throwing myself at a pallet stack?

for example when i learned how to pedal up i did so on flat ground first then transfered this motion to a wall, however because this move is essentially doing a endo onto a object you cant really do that. i am pretty sure i understand the physics the move and while trying the move i think about the move, but always just end up doing a large a pedal kick to rear to get to where i want to go. its incredibly frustrating literally having such a mental block on doing new things on the bike without the default "kick to rear" setting in.

Edited November 25, 2010 by matt tomlinson

[Matt Burrows]

I've been riding for over 10 years and still struggle with all of these moves! If you figure out any secrets be sure to pass them on. Even though in the past I have done all of these moves to a decent standard, I have mental blocks which make it hard to match what I used to do.

[dann2707]

I've recently just learnt the up to fronts, albeit the highest I've tried it on would be something around 3foot. Its a weird move, very weird indeed.

I first learnt on going up to front on curbs, holding it there for a second or two then hopping back down to my back wheel. I then gradually got bigger. I found it solid getting the motion switching to back wheel and I still barely manage it but I can tell I'm getting there. I don't let go of the front brake (I don't think from what I remember) but you really have to throw your weight back quickly and pull back on the bars to get that flicky motion.

Just try on smaller stuff, get the movement right. I also find it much easier rolling towards the wall rather than starting it from static into a pedal hop. Sorry if that barely makes sense I'm typing on my phone and can't review what I've said right.

[matt tomlinson]

nope that description definitely makes sense. i guess i just need to start lower than i was. hopefully that will allow me a better grasp of the move. i think finding that happy medium between the right height and making the move still the same may be hard though. heres to hoping the mental block goes away when i try this.

[Matt Vandart]

I've recently just learnt the up to fronts, albeit the highest I've tried it on would be something around 3foot. Its a weird move, very weird indeed.

I first learnt on going up to front on curbs, holding it there for a second or two then hopping back down to my back wheel. I then gradually got bigger. I found it solid getting the motion switching to back wheel and I still barely manage it but I can tell I'm getting there. I don't let go of the front brake (I don't think from what I remember) but you really have to throw your weight back quickly and pull back on the bars to get that flicky motion.

Just try on smaller stuff, get the movement right. I also find it much easier rolling towards the wall rather than starting it from static into a pedal hop. Sorry if that barely makes sense I'm typing on my phone and can't review what I've said right.

This + best tip I have ever had is make sure you drop your wheel below the level of the object you are going up!

[N.Wood]

With hooks, go fast as you can and still be able to pull the front up. Hit it hard and fast.

Taps its all about timing and where your body is when you hit the wall.

So what I'm trying to say is just practise.

[bikeperson45]

In case you didn't know

http://www.trashzen.com/

[JD™]

I'm just learning up to fronts after 10+ years of riding, and I was really struggling with the same situation as you. I've been watching people doing them for years so I feel I've got the knowledge of it right, but just never wanted to do them before. I was struggling to do it straight up something, so I decided to actually make it a gap up to front. Putting in that extra piece of difficulty actually helped me to get the motion sorted, and I'm now getting the hang of doing it without the gap.

Might be worth a try