Pedaling while pump-manualing?

This question is spurred by Pedaling in attack position?

Lee,

Do you have any pro tips how to pump-manual while still pedalling? It’s OK to me if I want to do it on a table-top or with a small speed, but when the speed goes up and bumps get bigger I can’t keep up with the terrain…

Jakub

WITH VIDEO

Hey Jakub,

What a great question!

To tell you the truth, when I got your note I’d never pedaled while pump-manualing (manualing between two rollers).

That is a very high-level skill. You have to be very good at pedaling, and you have to be very good at pump-manualing. I’ve been working on both skills but I hadn’t been ready to put them together. Thanks for the challenge: Yesterday I went to school on my backyard pump track.

Setup:

• Captain America the experimental Specialized Stumpjumper HT EVO-R.

• Fox 831 fork, 50mm Answer stem, Gamut guide, Point One Racing pedals, low seat

• 2:1 gear. This yields the same gear-inches as a BMX bike or single-speed DJ bike.

Here’s how I approached this skill:

• Did some riding and got loose.

• Practiced pedaling over rollers. This is pretty tricky. If pedal-pump-manual is PhD level, pedal-pump is Masters level. Don’t pull forward or lean back. Stay centered and turn the cranks while you pump the rollers. (Both your pedaling and pumping have to be smooth before you rock this.)

• Practiced manualing between rollers. Don’t pull forward or lean back. Stay centered, drive your feet down and anchor your hips to your bars. You know it’s right when you stay balanced on your feet the whole way.

OK, then:

• Pedaling while pump-manualing! This felt awkward at first, but I had the basics in about 10 tries. Check out this hot video action:

Tips based on my short experiment:

• Relax. While power helps, this is not a power move.

• Stay on your feet. Everything is about balance. Everything.

• Don’t pull your shoulders forward. You will bonk your front tire.

• Drive your hips forward. Anchor your bars to your hips, and your hips to your bars. Extend upward like a dead lift.

Start slow on mellow rollers. Gradually increase the speed and size as you get better.

Tell us how it goes!

Lee

Know more. Have more fun!

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