isitafox Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 Not ridden for a few weeks and swapped the tensiles on my stock for some trialtechs until I get some Tryall carbons sorted so thought I'd best have a quick spin today in preperation for Sundays comp. Went down the road and thought I'd film myself sidehopping so I can watch it back to see what I'm doing and where I can improve my technique, not very interesting but thought I may as well post it here for any advice. Please bare in mind my laptop is on its last legs so editing video is nigh on impossible currently so I apologise for the dodgy bits inbetween and stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 I'm not an expert by a long shot, so take this with a pinch of salt, but it appears that your main sticking point is your real wheel control rather than the sidehop itself. Your actual sidehop technique isn't all that bad in itself, it gets you up the height you're playing with well so let's put that to the side. The hop at around 2:30 was much tidier, and you looked a lot more comfortable with it. Once you're on the back wheel, you're pretty locked out rather than looking relaxed and comfortable on the bike - try to chill a touch and bend your arms/legs a little more. Also, next time you're out try sitting on the back wheel and see how long you can go without putting in a backhop. Not only will it look a little smoother, it really helps you get a feel for your balance in that sort of position. Once you're a little more stable on the rear wheel finding that sweet spot will be a load easier, and you can focus more on getting the sidehop nailed than playing about before it Reading that back it sounds a little harsh, apologies! That wasn't the intention, but apparently the whole 'constructive criticism' thing didn't shine through too well, sorry man! I'm sure someone who's actually got a proper idea will be in here soon enough and say the opposite of what I've just mentioned, but until then maybe it'll help a little. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isitafox Posted April 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 No worries I totally understand! I think the comfort thing is cause of the handlebar change, I really don't like the feel of trialtechs and they feel a lot lower than the Tensilrs I used to have. Cheers for the input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeperson45 Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 (edited) One thing I noticed was that you go backwards a bit, which (I think) will make it harder to keep your balance and make the height suffer. Usually (again, I think) the back wheel will land in line with where it took off where as yours go backwards a bit. Also, with the backhopping bit that's been said, try doing a single pedal kick then sidehop. This is usually how I do them, the kind of pedal kick where the rear wheel doesn't leave the ground, and I find it helps as it makes it easier then trying to keep balanced then hopping. Although that may just be me, sorry if this is gobbledigoop. And how long have you been using the Trialtechs? Edited April 13, 2011 by bikeperson45 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isitafox Posted April 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 I think I go backwards when I land as 9 times out of ten I don't kick the pedals much if at all when I jump, which is one of the main reasons I filmed it so I could watch it back in slo-mo. And I have been using the trialtech bars for all of the 5 minutes it took to ride from my house to that wall! I had them on my Bionic mod before but didn't like them on that compared to my old rage bars so thought I'd give them a go on my stock seen as a lot of people rate them as the best bars to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinkdougie Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 Try take less hops, it kills power Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forteh Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 I dont think I can really add much to whats already been said, I suck at sidehops and can never actually commit to them - my highest is a little over 36" (after riding trials properly since 2005 or so and having a 9kg bike :$ ). What I can add though is related somewhat to lukes comment, relax on the bike when on the back wheel, bend your arms and knees a little more and perhaps bring the front wheel up higher (bars closer to your chest). When Im sidehopping I usually do a couple of tiny correction hops on the spot, preload and launch - alot of the time I bottle it and put my foot down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0zzy Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 like said above your sidehop technique is quite tidy, i think just riding will sort it out... not trying to sound harsh, but improved backwheel control would allow alot more preload and kick into the pedals aswell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan97 Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 what size are you sidehopping at the moment because I dont think I can do that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isitafox Posted April 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 Not 100% sure how big it is, might manage an hour or 2 tomorrow hopefully or if not then next time I take my son out I'll take the tape measure and have a look. Cheers for the comments guys, hopefully once I've got used to the bars I'll regain my balance. I'll also try the rolling onto my rear and going straight up technique and see how that goes, have to admit all the small hops absolutely rapes me of energy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isitafox Posted April 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 Nipped out with a tape measure earlier, didnt measure the wall in the vid but checked another I did which was slightly bigger at 38" which I'm happy with, especially withmy ropeytechnique! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siontyrex Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 i also think that you need to practice more at backwheel balance if you put some more pressure in your tires you will hop less... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan97 Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 Nipped out with a tape measure earlier, didnt measure the wall in the vid but checked another I did which was slightly bigger at 38" which I'm happy with, especially withmy ropeytechnique! wow thats pretty big I can only manage 28", then any bigger and I cant get the power to get me up. I think also the thought of falling off the side of 6 pallets which ive already done puts me off a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Vandart Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 You are too close to the wall, that is probably what is making you have to hop around so much before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary-mac Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 Nice wee vid man, i think they really help when looking back at them and studying the technique!! As said by most the guys here its really the back wheel control that needs mastered first as you sidehop looks spot on! Since am trying hard to suss the sidehop i'll take a video tomorrow of my technique and pop it on. was up at 47inch but needed to use the front to help me as i just can't get the power to go streight to both plus my technique still aint right. Def try to get the balance point on the rear and relax before preloading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theom Posted April 15, 2011 Report Share Posted April 15, 2011 Concentrate on getting those arms and legs bent a bit, youve really got to sit into the bike when you preload. Just stick at it the rear wheel control will come, focus on getting those arms bent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmcycles Posted April 15, 2011 Report Share Posted April 15, 2011 You are too close to the wall, that is probably what is making you have to hop around so much before. i too suffer from doing this from time to time. i try and get close to the wall to make sure i make it. but getting close makes it harder to clear it which means i have to balance longer to get the right distance. this video and comments are very helpful to me aswell thanks for posting the video Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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