I can manual for about 3 seconds – though it probably doesn’t count as a proper manual more of a case of just pulling the wheel up and trying to delay dropping it as long as possible as opposed to a proper manual where you find the balance point and hold it for a time. But even with my clumsy attempts it is one of the most useful things i’ve learned out of the trail, especially for drops, small and large, puddles and just smoothing out short rocky or rooty sections.
I’d love to be able to do them properly. Everytime I do pull the wheel up high enough to get the balance point I tend to crap myself and grab the rear brake.
There is a pump track near me and I’d love to get a BMX and have a go and learn properly, but I can’t get over the fact i’d feel like a bit of a prat – a 43 year old man in amongst a load of cool kids.
My wheeling is coming on nicely now, I feel like i’m on the cusp of cracking them. That is a bit of a pointless skill, but i’m hoping once I’ve cracked that the manuals will follow shortly after.