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Biketrials pedal hopwith a wheel-transfer
The static hop helps when there is no room for a run-up, with the front wheel already up on some corner. Very useful in real trials riding on sharp rocks or weird shapes. It is a good preparation for launching a pedal hop from an edge where you can only transit quickly on the rear.

Start already in balance with the front wheel up onto some edge or kerb

mountain biking and biketrial skills
1° From there, flex down on the bike as much as you can, like a spring before the impulsion. Keep the brakes full-on all the time.

mountain biking and biketrial skills
2° Full extension in one hop, pushing on the legs but also with the arms to boost your impulsion on the bars (with support from the front wheel).

mountain biking and biketrial skills
3° To follow up with the impulsion, you should pull on the bars to lift the bike forward, while tucking up the knees to let the bike go up.


Then, try to stay in balance on the rear wheel.
See this move in a video and also in slow-motion


trials bike video
Excellent to reach some edges

trials bike video
Climbing on a beam

More tips?
The best places to practice are stairways, or small wood logs. To boost the impulsion, really try to bounce back from your flexion by using the spring of both your legs and arms (and low pressure bouncing tires). When you get the right move, you can land directly on the rear wheel one step higher. In difficult situations, you can even try to combine it with a pedal kick at the very end of the impulsion, to give it a boost.


trials bike video
Rolling on the front

If the obstacle is wide enough for both wheels, just roll over by pulling on the bars after the extension, and then pushing the bike in front of you. That is smoother than pulling up the whole bike in the air (for nothing) and it is less physical. But if you feel like it, land directly on the rear wheel, with the front wheel in the air.


Biketrial video  All the clips in one video  VTT trial
(or right-click to download the .wmv file)


At a Pro level: pushing the move further
Experienced riders are able to run this technique with amazing precision, on sharp edges, slanted corners and other slippery stuff where any miscalculation could result in a nasty crash. Concentration is decisive, especially when the ground is far below you.

trials bike video
Ben Savage hops after rolling-over

trials bike video
Cesar Cañas preparing a gap jump

trials bike video
Chris Akrigg nailing a fork lift truck



If you want more info about this move or would like to share your own experience and tips, just type in your questions / comments in a TrashZen Discussion Thread