10 Bmx Tricks

By: Susanne Hopkins

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Bmx has rapidly become its own art form, and these ten Bmx tricks can take the ordinary biking experience to a whole new level. No matter your skill, there are Bmx tricks to match your level, and with enough practice any trick can be mastered.

Start easy. The Barhop is a simple trick that can build your confidence and help your overall balance. To execute this trick, you simply have to go a little faster than normal and jump over the handlebars of the bike. Keep your feet flat and pulled up, and then balance the bike out with your body. The speed will help you until your body can right the balance.
Continue practicing. The Manual is one of the most basic tricks, but it is the stepping stone to more complicated maneuvers. For this trick, pick up speed on the bike, then lift up the front end and lean back. Find a good balance by bending your knees to lower the height and leaning back to raise it. This is another good trick to practice balance on.
The Bunnyhop is a little trickier. For this trick, go at normal speed and get your balance. Lift the bike by pulling the handlebars and push them forward while in the air. Keep the bike even. It can be difficult to keep your balance and the bike even at the same time, but it is well worth the practice.
Start jumping. To do an X Jump, you'll first need to catch some air with a ramp. Once in the air, lean back so that your knees are centered on the seat and then turn the handlebars around so that your arms make an "x". Twist the handlebars back before landing.
Learn the ways of the ramp. Ramps may seem easy, but it takes a little practice to master them. To drop in on a ramp, you're going to stand at the top of the ramp and, making sure you have your balance, ride down at a slight angle. This prevents the pedals from catching on the ramp. Simply drop in and maintain your balance, and in no time, dropping in on the ramp will be one of the easiest things you can do.
Do a 180. Before trying to learn this, make sure you have completely mastered the Bunnyhop. Simply do a Bunnyhop but turn the handlebars slightly. Turn your head at the same time in the direction you want to go in, and turn the bike so that is facing the opposite way.
Bigger Bunnyhops. A 360 Bunnyhop is much harder than the original, but fun. Gather a moderate amount of speed, pull the handlebars up and slightly turn them while looking over your shoulder and down in the direction you wish to go. Keep your knees bent. It will take practice to learn when you need to turn and how much speed you'll need, but soon it will become second nature.
Learning harder tricks. A Feeble Stall is having the front tire on the top of the ramp while the back tire is on the ramp itself. When your front tire lands on the top of the ramp, turn it facing the ramp so your back tire stays on the ramp itself. To go back down, do a small Bunnyhop to get the front tire over the ramp.
This trick is one of the hardest. An Abubaca involves riding straight up the ramp and landing on the top with your back tire, balancing the bike. For this you have to keep your eye on the top of the ramp, lean back in the air, and hit the brakes hard when your tire lands. Once you have your balance, jump backwards onto the ramp.
The grand finale. The trick to the 540 Caballero is turning with as much speed as possible and turning your head constantly. Make sure your body is at a 90 degree angle to help keep your balance. This trick involves constant spinning, and will require you to continually turn your head so you can get the most spins.