Great video Ali. Correction hope and running before walking are so relevant to me. I need to reel it in a little and refine the things I can already do, until they are perfect.
Is really nice listens your tips and "rules" Ali, is amazing see someone with so much experience present their point of view. I started to ride alone in my childhood and I've never had someone to explain this things to me, this helped me a lot man, thank you! I was a professional athlete for seven years and I know how hard is control your mind, things you talk about confidence these days, would have helped me a lot in the past! (If one day you come to Brazil, please come to my house for some coffee xD)
Nice vlog, very actual topic. I would like to add couple of things that I have seen in a lot of modern videos and imo they are also weird. 1. Correction hops during fakie rollbacks/fakie lines. If you lose your balance or can not roll out properly you should redo this. 5 hops during 4m fakie look lame. 2. 180s in the and of the line. Doing 180 after every second trick in 2 min video is not a good idea. Same goes to a line ending, lines could be ended with different tricks cranckflip, oppo3, bars or whatever.. May be I didn't explained it in the best way, but hope the point is clear. Looking forward for a new vids! Cheers.
what I love about this vlog series is I see yourself and Danny and others who are really talented riders attempting things again and again until they get it right. When I was a kid I was into football, throw me a ball now and I can do keepie upies for ages because I put the time in as a kid practicing. Your videos were the first to make me realise the way to get to the point where I can do something was repeatedly trying to do something and failing until I get it right. I now try to wheelie, manual and bunny hop and other things in the street outside my house daily, most days I am a little less shite, someday I will be capable and move on to being shite at more difficult tricks, but I will know that really talented riders also struggle, so im cool with that
I'd be interested in whether you think you're so strict with yourself because riding is your job, or whether riding is your job because you're so strict with yourself?
I agree fully... I actually find it quite useful to be able to do tricks opposite and normal. I didn't have anyone showing me how to do tricks so I just went with what felt right and learnt the tricks. Now I'm focusing on being able to do tyretaps, 180's, 360's and so on, clockwise and anti-clockwise. (I learnt tyretaps, 180's, 360's and side hops opposite. Then after I heard which way is correct, I instantly got the hang of normal 180's, backwards droppoffs and rockwalk drop-offs...) Cheers Ali Keep up the awesome vlogging!
+Ali Clarkson Thanks for the quick reply! I'll start focusing on learning the correct way to tyretap but I find rotating that way is super hard...but it'll be super rewarding to do tyretaps both ways :) Hope your ankle gets back to 100% soon!
Haha yeah gotta love that so true about the Danny generation and I'm not a part of it I'm still at the trackstand and back hops part and hearing that from you makes me feel that much easier about how slow progress can be or at least feel, thanks Ali!
Very good points Ali. The computer game analogy summed it up pretty well. The correction hop thing is something I've only started really noticing in videos in the last year or so, and when I see it I'm normally wondering why they didn't try it again. Then again on the flip side of that, that could of been the 500 th attempt and that was as good as they could get. In situations like that, where you just couldn't do the line as you envisioned at first, would you drop it from a video altogether, or just change it's position in the video?
I'm so relieved haha, I thought I'd been riding oppo for four years now lol good to know it was just everyone else... As for the how-to's, would you consider a solid up to front a prerequisite for hooks?
How do you do good side hops and side jumps to a higher landing spot. I can do ok side hops up to about a foot, but above that is hard. I’m on a mountain bike doing these things. Do you have any tips on where to look or good techniques? And my side hops on from 2 wheels-jump-2 wheels. I’m working on back hops rn. Do you have any tips for learning?
Hey Ali, regarding goofy spins, I agree for sure with your view on the helpfulness of spinning the right way but with my riding I have sort of the opposite problem..I do everything on a bike as if I was right foot forward with the exception of me solely riding left foot forward, for instance if someone was to ask me my preferred way of jumping on foot and spinning 360 I would spin to my left, it feels awkward for me to spin the other way, if I am playing football my right foot is my strong foot, if I was skating my right foot is again my stronger, when it comes to riding a bike though it feels awful for me to try and ride with my right foot forward and ever since I started riding I've always favoured riding left foot forward.This has made spins and other trials related linked moves harder for sure but I've always managed to stay clean and manual 180 without bitch cranking, also my riding has always felt more comfortable and pleasing without correction hops if at all possible, so for me the best option would probably be to re-learn riding right foot forward rather than spin and do every trick the opposite to what I do now :pJust to add if I'm on a wall and want to spin off to the side whilst static I tend to out spin 450 off to the left (which is what I used to see Martyn Ashton do too) rather than in spin 270, again it feels much more natural for me to do that.Have to say loving these weekly Vlogs, really has me pumped up to ride more often, hope you're back on the bike and filming some new riding clips soon :)
I wanna see your barsin, if I am not mistaken you hurt you self on that lol, btw I agreed to quite a lot of these ideas and thoughts, but what inspired me was the correction hops, will definetly go back and work on that. And as long as I rememberd, I've been kind of copying your style a bit, I'll try to develope my own style as well. Very nice video Ali!
Alot of good points mentioned in this video things that riders who are very strict on themselves will come across, the "mmeh it can always be a little better" mentality. Correction hops can be nasty or they can be awesome. As a viewer I'm more than happy to see a rider have a bad moment and see how well he can get out of it. If riding a skinny and things go wrong swing that leg in ways it can't even bend because the battle is something the viewer can engage with. Good video.
I must say that I agree with all of this despite being pretty bad for doing it. I find that I just don't have the commitment or confidence in myself so I end up either wussing out or having to just take the BCs. I have a ~35" stack of pallets in my garden which I can bunnyhop fairly easy, but when it comes to actually applying it on the streets I ride up to stuff and bail at the last moment every single time even if it is a 2/3 lower and often hurt myself in doing so (like taking a tyre to the sack as the bike hits the wall... :p ) The weird thing is that I ride moto trials too and this isn't an issue in the slightest and I'm happy to have a go at things. Your opinion on this kind of issue would be great. I know it probably comes down to self belief, but it has kept me stuck on a plateau for the best part of 18 months and just gets a bit annoying seeing as I know I can do it but can't at the same time. On a brighter note, cheers for sticking at the UA-cam stuff Ali, I love the content. It really gives me something to look forward to and I get really pumped when I see a new video in my sub-box :)
+Ali Clarkson Yeah, I'm a weird one though. I ride my moto in a completely streety bicycle style, for example doing fakie halfcabs down slopes, 180s out of slopes and even trying the odd nose pivot 360 (still got a fair way to go on that one though :p ). But on topic of BCs and oppo spins, I was in bed when I watched and commented on this, but I got my shoes on and went out on the bike and learned regular 180s and sketchy 3s in the time between this comment and the first one! Cheers for that little bit of motivation, although I'm going to have to bill you for a new pair of socks because I tore mine on my pedals trying it ;)
I wouldn’t call that a bitch crank, bitch crank are more fit when someone is doing a bunnyhop. If you’re on a long comp style bike and doing stuff from static then a pedal is all part of the technique
Really good video Ali, 100% agree with everything you are saying especially about the quality control and videos! The advice is really helpful as I have never heard about the unwritten rules since I started riding and haven't had a more experienced rider around to tell me off for these things. So greatly appreciate all the advice in this!!! Means I won't be passing on bad habits to others...hopefully. :P One question though, narrow wall or a rail and jumping to the next rail or wall, would you consider a small pedal kick a form of Bitch-Crank?
Great video, Ali. Caught you in Inverness for the first time the other week. Really enjoyed it! I agree with your purist approach. I'm like that myself. You thought about doing a tutorial series, starting with the basics? I've not long been riding street trials and have been practising the basics to get to grips with balance - although currently obsessed with mastering the manual.
Hi Ali! Thanx for the tips! Just wonder if I got this right. If I have my left foot forward, should I spin to the right? I’m struggling to relearn, I think I spin the wrong way.. Anyway, you have inspired me alot with your UA-cam channel! / Nick (Sweden)
Hey Ali! What would you say are the absolute first things I am to learn? I know you said basics, but what would you say them basics consist of? Thanks in advance and cheers from Guatemala! :)
Regarding keeping foot on the pedals I kinda like the look of landing a big power move onto an obstacle and then a quick foot jab to the side of the bike to balance. You're right though, it looks kinda goofy doing it on a skinny.
Hi Ali! Could you talk about side hops in the next vlog? To me that's absolutely one of the hardest things to improve. I'm right foot forward and I hop on the right side, I know it's not good but it's the only way I can do it. Maybe you could explain these aspects in one of your next vlogs. Keep it up. You have the best riding style I've ever seen. Yo.
I did think many of your points were 'harshly put', but I totally get where you're coming from and I'm quite the same way. Its being a perfectionist and it is a good mindset since it makes you better at achieving your goals and your best self on/off the bike. I've always been this way and can be very critical of myself and how I can present my riding in the best form aesthetically. I've had my stock trials for a few months now but only recently started to get it dialed and had the time to play on it regularly. As much as I want to ride things that are big and challenging, I'm restricting myself to dialing in my basics on this unique geo compared to mtb and only biting off what I can actually chew at the moment. Just step by step progress and its showing. It isn't my fav vlog of yours to be honest, but I can for sure take some of your points and use them to my benefit in some form another...although I do agree with them for the most part. Also, good touch with laughing at yourself about style and the riding kit. It lightened up the video in my view. Bang on vlog as always Ali, looking forward to more riding clips! Heal up soon!
I think I emphasized the 'harsh' bit too much, it wasn't bad at all IMO. I guess it was appropriate in order to persuade others to better themselves as you mentioned. I appreciate your honesty!
Basically if a technique can be done without using the pedals (usually moves where you already have momentum like bunnyhops and spins) then it always looks best not to jab the pedals (bitch crank). If the technique requires a jab on the pedals (usually moves where you’re creating movement from static like a gap or sidehop) then that’s not a bitch crank because there’s simply no other way to do that technique. A bitch crank is called a bitch crank because you’re bitching out of fully committing to a “proper” technique
Wow ! Seems you're really strict with yourself, the nicest thing is it works. You're certainly not "right", nor "wrong", but those are pretty useful tips for the newcomers (and not only...).
Is it a bitch crank if I give a kick with my pedal while doing high side hop from the back wheel? And is it wrong to train oppo side hop and 180 pivot and stuff like that?
Firstly I wouldn’t use the term “right” or “wrong”, I may be mentioning unwritten rules but I still approve of people going out trying stuff no matter how they do it so go out and practice any direction you like (that will make you a better overall rider anyway) As for sidehops, no that’s not a bitch crank...a bitch crank is simply adding a jab to the pedals when you already have enough momentum to be able to do the move from body motion alone. If the move is from static then a jab on the pedals is necessary to generate the momentum needed.
That's OK, but some riders in Russia make the difference between manual and surf. When you keep your point of balance only with your arms and legs it's called manual, but when you keep the point of balance with your rear break it's called surf. What do you think about it?
This video is awsome . You should do more vlog videos like this. Dont be shy about talking more on camera man, the main problem I have with your newer videos is that you don't talk enough!!
Does it really matter which way you turn on a 180? Just comparing it to a 180 dunk at basketball. It's not that you don't want to spin the one way or the other. It's just the way people turn; just like having the right or left foot in the front in trials.
In your "correct" example of hopping up to the rail... is that not a bitch crank? Or is it "acceptable" to BC once you're already on the back wheel by simply pulling up/manualling etc?
Yeah! I see many people today, who started riding street trials, but haven't any trials background. And then they start to do some very basic trials stuff, it looks very unstable and strange in some ways. :)
I watched this episode when I first came across your vlog, and not knowing much about trials and not having any experience riding trials I wasn't really all that sure about what exactly you were talking about. Now though, after having started riding street trials (directly because of your vlog), I completely get it! AND...I'm definitely guilty of bitchcranks!!! I suppose good to have discovered it now as I'm only new and it'll likely be a quick fix, than to have continued with it and made the habit permanent. One question though... Is there ever a time when a bitch crank is appropriate? For example, when you don't have a run up that allows you to get enough speed up to execute a proper bunny hop? Anyway, as always, great vlog and always cool to look back on older episodes!
I ride for fun not to look good :) looking great is just a bonus can you please do a tutorial on front manual s with out brake s I no the basic s and how to back manual just finding it hard with front manual with out useing the brake please would love a tutorial
My completely selfish request for a future video is for you to come to Santa Cruz with Danny and go riding with me. I'm liking the vlog, especially you talking to yourself on the rail a few videos ago.
I agree with you on your points but you have the advantage of age & experience. Im not world class and many people are not pro like yourself, but for comparison my 20 years of skateboarding, yes with aforethought and if I had my youth again I would do things correctly, but I still had a lot of fun doing things wrongly, and still see younglings trying to tre-flip before they can kickflip or ollie. Now my mature self learning street trials, Im older and more patient to follow guidelines, yes its much more frustrating and slower but much more rewarding. In the long run.
I hate that I was "corrected" early on from sidehopping the Tunnicliffe way, or trackstanding the Ryan Leech way, but it seems like you might be doing the same thing here. What combos/lines exactly can a good BMXer not do regular or opposite or switch? You keep saying you can't really wallride towards your back foot and then 180 out towards your forward foot...yes you can. In fact it's easier for some.
On re-listening to the part about opposite-wallride-180s I realize I might have misunderstood. I guess you meant if you normally spin regular and then you link up a line with regular spins PLUS an opposite-wallride-180 then it might not flow as smoothly (like an Indian giver) or something? I thought you were saying that opposite-wallride-180s don't "work" properly somehow, like when I used to hear that sidehops toward your forward foot don't "work" :P. Although I'm still a bit confused by how you can spot a goofy rider by their "weird style"...that seems like saying you can tell when a person is left-handed just by their "weird" writing. Isn't it identical?
Okay, I've looked into it, and I definitely think there are some goofy-footed BMXers who don't look any different than the best regular-footed riders doing whips, bars, etc. You say "getting harder to spot", I say some are already equal. But I do agree that it sucks not knowing everything in the same direction. I learned both barspins and manual-180s opposite, so now I have to re-learn them if I ever want to do a manual-180-to-fullcab, for example.
My pedal ups and bunny hops have a same hight, so its fine for me to use both techniques. But my touch ups are higher than the p ups and the bunny hops. I belive timing the ''tap'' is only possible when using the cranks. So i dont think this is considered as a bitch crank, but using cranks in manuals, spins, bunny hops doesnt look good at all!
Hey Ali Iam only 12 but I love you vids I seen you in Inverness and realised a trick takes ages to master please do some basic tutorials that would be cool
That's why only my wife and mommy watch my movies :-P I think, from time to time is good to try brakeless ride. For me it have a big impact on bike control. No place for correction when you can't stop :-P
Oh no I fell at the first hurdle, bitch cranks. And opposite rotation I'm a lefty. But I am am trying to correct these issues. Relearning after 20 years and cutting out bad habits
I've become far more focused on the unwritten rules in the last couple years. They can be a pain! We are all guilty of them sometimes, I've even put them in videos. I feel way too guilty about a certain bitch crank in brakeless dosage...
As someone who got interested in to trials and enspecially street-trials by watching Dannys and your videos it's quite interesting to hear your opinions about all of this stuff. I'm living on the land and there probably isn't a soul within 50km of my place who even knows what MTB trial is, yet rides himself. So I just learned all the tricks I can do (not that many, but it's getting better) by myself and by analysing some videos. I guess by riding all by myself I tend to screw some things up quite badly and don't understand why certain things won't work as I'd like them to which might result in some of the goofy things you've mentioned. Never thought about these style things and I think you have some realy good points. Especially the bitch crank in a manual is something I realy dislike. Nice vid and keep them going! :)
whats your secret for your tight pants? what brand style etc, i have big strong legs and tight pants bind me up pretty badly. are you wearing stretchy pants?
It's awesome you apply that level of scrutiny to your own riding. It's what makes your videos so good to watch. I think it's unfair to include your opinion of other people's riding and so on based on your rules though. You come across as arrogant. I think maybe the rules were best left unwritten.
Ali’s argument is well articulated. That’s not arrogant. If this was a 2 min rant without any logical arguments I could see how that would be arrogant but that is not what this video is.
Doesn't it feels uncofortable for your package riding with tide jeans. I agree 100% that tide jeans give some style to the riding, but what about Johny? I feel like i'm killing him sometimes :D P.S I'm serious with this question :D
I agree with the pedal strokes when doing manuals and definitely wouldn't consider a line 'pulled' if a manual needed a pedal stroke.... but, not sure about Anything else? pretty much every single trials move is based around a pedal stroke. Don't think putting a pedal stroke in to get a bunny hop to rear wheel is a bad habit. Pre danny Mac becoming a house hold name it was the norm! Ryan leech started deleting his balance hops to make his trails lines look 'cleaner' and was possibly even the start of the new age trials style but I Don't think anyone would ever watch a Ryan leech vid and think he cheated his way through it with a few pedal strokes..... some of his stuff would still make a danny mac vid 15 years later! Only my opinion of course.....
Incase anyone reading this has only been riding trials since the whole danny Mac thing blew up and has never heard of Ryan leech...... check out Ryan leech, crux from 9 till 5 segment and bare in mind how old it is!
stop trying to apply "rules" to street trials. street trials was created to evade the strict rules of normal trials, spin whatever way you want, free ride and express yourself, have fun, go big and be happy.
Wesley Rath it's not rules it's more like style and good looking riding if you do everythings randomely its ok but doesn't look as good as doing it the correct way and with style.
"Some people like playing video games with cheat codes, other play it on hard." Well said Ali, sums a lot about life, not just bikes.
What if I play my games on hard with cheats?
@@boomerangfreak then its not the game
I guess Im pretty off topic but does anybody know of a good website to watch newly released movies online ?
@Rene Tommy Flixportal :D
@Zakai London Thanks, signed up and it seems to work :D I really appreciate it !
Great video Ali. Correction hope and running before walking are so relevant to me. I need to reel it in a little and refine the things I can already do, until they are perfect.
I thought that to get long distance bunny hops you were supposed to crank the pedals to get forward momentum?
Is really nice listens your tips and "rules" Ali, is amazing see someone with so much experience present their point of view. I started to ride alone in my childhood and I've never had someone to explain this things to me, this helped me a lot man, thank you!
I was a professional athlete for seven years and I know how hard is control your mind, things you talk about confidence these days, would have helped me a lot in the past! (If one day you come to Brazil, please come to my house for some coffee xD)
Nice vlog, very actual topic. I would like to add couple of things that I have seen in a lot of modern videos and imo they are also weird.
1. Correction hops during fakie rollbacks/fakie lines. If you lose your balance or can not roll out properly you should redo this. 5 hops during 4m fakie look lame.
2. 180s in the and of the line. Doing 180 after every second trick in 2 min video is not a good idea. Same goes to a line ending, lines could be ended with different tricks cranckflip, oppo3, bars or whatever..
May be I didn't explained it in the best way, but hope the point is clear. Looking forward for a new vids! Cheers.
Ali you the man bro by far my favorite rider
Running before you can walk - this is what I took from this video, thanks.
what I love about this vlog series is I see yourself and Danny and others who are really talented riders attempting things again and again until they get it right. When I was a kid I was into football, throw me a ball now and I can do keepie upies for ages because I put the time in as a kid practicing. Your videos were the first to make me realise the way to get to the point where I can do something was repeatedly trying to do something and failing until I get it right. I now try to wheelie, manual and bunny hop and other things in the street outside my house daily, most days I am a little less shite, someday I will be capable and move on to being shite at more difficult tricks, but I will know that really talented riders also struggle, so im cool with that
I'd be interested in whether you think you're so strict with yourself because riding is your job, or whether riding is your job because you're so strict with yourself?
Figured that'd be the case, just wanted to put you on the spot!
I agree fully... I actually find it quite useful to be able to do tricks opposite and normal. I didn't have anyone showing me how to do tricks so I just went with what felt right and learnt the tricks. Now I'm focusing on being able to do tyretaps, 180's, 360's and so on, clockwise and anti-clockwise. (I learnt tyretaps, 180's, 360's and side hops opposite. Then after I heard which way is correct, I instantly got the hang of normal 180's, backwards droppoffs and rockwalk drop-offs...)
Cheers Ali
Keep up the awesome vlogging!
+Ali Clarkson Thanks for the quick reply! I'll start focusing on learning the correct way to tyretap but I find rotating that way is super hard...but it'll be super rewarding to do tyretaps both ways :)
Hope your ankle gets back to 100% soon!
Haha yeah gotta love that so true about the Danny generation and I'm not a part of it I'm still at the trackstand and back hops part and hearing that from you makes me feel that much easier about how slow progress can be or at least feel, thanks Ali!
Great advice. Hard to take as a beginner because we want to do the cool stuff fast lol
Very good points Ali. The computer game analogy summed it up pretty well.
The correction hop thing is something I've only started really noticing in videos in the last year or so, and when I see it I'm normally wondering why they didn't try it again. Then again on the flip side of that, that could of been the 500 th attempt and that was as good as they could get.
In situations like that, where you just couldn't do the line as you envisioned at first, would you drop it from a video altogether, or just change it's position in the video?
I'm so relieved haha, I thought I'd been riding oppo for four years now lol good to know it was just everyone else... As for the how-to's, would you consider a solid up to front a prerequisite for hooks?
How do you do good side hops and side jumps to a higher landing spot. I can do ok side hops up to about a foot, but above that is hard. I’m on a mountain bike doing these things. Do you have any tips on where to look or good techniques? And my side hops on from 2 wheels-jump-2 wheels. I’m working on back hops rn. Do you have any tips for learning?
Hey Ali, regarding goofy spins, I agree for sure with your view on the helpfulness of spinning the right way but with my riding I have sort of the opposite problem..I do everything on a bike as if I was right foot forward with the exception of me solely riding left foot forward, for instance if someone was to ask me my preferred way of jumping on foot and spinning 360 I would spin to my left, it feels awkward for me to spin the other way, if I am playing football my right foot is my strong foot, if I was skating my right foot is again my stronger, when it comes to riding a bike though it feels awful for me to try and ride with my right foot forward and ever since I started riding I've always favoured riding left foot forward.This has made spins and other trials related linked moves harder for sure but I've always managed to stay clean and manual 180 without bitch cranking, also my riding has always felt more comfortable and pleasing without correction hops if at all possible, so for me the best option would probably be to re-learn riding right foot forward rather than spin and do every trick the opposite to what I do now :pJust to add if I'm on a wall and want to spin off to the side whilst static I tend to out spin 450 off to the left (which is what I used to see Martyn Ashton do too) rather than in spin 270, again it feels much more natural for me to do that.Have to say loving these weekly Vlogs, really has me pumped up to ride more often, hope you're back on the bike and filming some new riding clips soon :)
As far as goofy spins go, what about for learning opposite 180s? Is it better to do them in a goofy stance or to switch the cranks over?
I was feeling so smug reading this cause I did the 180 challenge a few years ago...............and then you mentioned 360s :'(
Is there a "correct way" to do footjam whips? Like which side do you turn and which foot is on the front tyre?
wow. i'm impressed that you put so much effort into explaining things to your fans. keep it up Ali :)
+Ali Clarkson Thank you that helps a lot! Cheers for taking the time to answer the questions of your fans!
Manual Bunnyhop 180 , left and right, beautyful. I have to try a normal 180 to left, its frustraiting but i have to do. THX for Video
I found out why I cant back hop on one place. I pedal kick just to jump not to move forward. Thanks
I wanna see your barsin, if I am not mistaken you hurt you self on that lol, btw I agreed to quite a lot of these ideas and thoughts, but what inspired me was the correction hops, will definetly go back and work on that. And as long as I rememberd, I've been kind of copying your style a bit, I'll try to develope my own style as well. Very nice video Ali!
When on the back wheel Is using pedal pressure to assist any move or trick considered bad form?
Is a pedal kick considered a bitch crank?
This info directly helps my progression in riding, thanks heaps for your effort.
Alot of good points mentioned in this video things that riders who are very strict on themselves will come across, the "mmeh it can always be a little better" mentality.
Correction hops can be nasty or they can be awesome.
As a viewer I'm more than happy to see a rider have a bad moment and see how well he can get out of it.
If riding a skinny and things go wrong swing that leg in ways it can't even bend because the battle is something the viewer can engage with.
Good video.
I must say that I agree with all of this despite being pretty bad for doing it. I find that I just don't have the commitment or confidence in myself so I end up either wussing out or having to just take the BCs. I have a ~35" stack of pallets in my garden which I can bunnyhop fairly easy, but when it comes to actually applying it on the streets I ride up to stuff and bail at the last moment every single time even if it is a 2/3 lower and often hurt myself in doing so (like taking a tyre to the sack as the bike hits the wall... :p ) The weird thing is that I ride moto trials too and this isn't an issue in the slightest and I'm happy to have a go at things.
Your opinion on this kind of issue would be great. I know it probably comes down to self belief, but it has kept me stuck on a plateau for the best part of 18 months and just gets a bit annoying seeing as I know I can do it but can't at the same time.
On a brighter note, cheers for sticking at the UA-cam stuff Ali, I love the content. It really gives me something to look forward to and I get really pumped when I see a new video in my sub-box :)
+Ali Clarkson Yeah, I'm a weird one though. I ride my moto in a completely streety bicycle style, for example doing fakie halfcabs down slopes, 180s out of slopes and even trying the odd nose pivot 360 (still got a fair way to go on that one though :p ).
But on topic of BCs and oppo spins, I was in bed when I watched and commented on this, but I got my shoes on and went out on the bike and learned regular 180s and sketchy 3s in the time between this comment and the first one! Cheers for that little bit of motivation, although I'm going to have to bill you for a new pair of socks because I tore mine on my pedals trying it ;)
no offence but on my jitsie race line competition trials bike i cant get on to the back whel with aout an bitchcrank or the back brake
I wouldn’t call that a bitch crank, bitch crank are more fit when someone is doing a bunnyhop. If you’re on a long comp style bike and doing stuff from static then a pedal is all part of the technique
Really good video Ali, 100% agree with everything you are saying especially about the quality control and videos!
The advice is really helpful as I have never heard about the unwritten rules since I started riding and haven't had a more experienced rider around to tell me off for these things.
So greatly appreciate all the advice in this!!!
Means I won't be passing on bad habits to others...hopefully. :P
One question though, narrow wall or a rail and jumping to the next rail or wall, would you consider a small pedal kick a form of Bitch-Crank?
Great video, Ali. Caught you in Inverness for the first time the other week. Really enjoyed it! I agree with your purist approach. I'm like that myself. You thought about doing a tutorial series, starting with the basics? I've not long been riding street trials and have been practising the basics to get to grips with balance - although currently obsessed with mastering the manual.
+Ali Clarkson Sweet! Looking forward to it!
Hi Ali! Thanx for the tips! Just wonder if I got this right. If I have my left foot forward, should I spin to the right? I’m struggling to relearn, I think I spin the wrong way.. Anyway, you have inspired me alot with your UA-cam channel! / Nick (Sweden)
Hey Ali! What would you say are the absolute first things I am to learn? I know you said basics, but what would you say them basics consist of?
Thanks in advance and cheers from Guatemala! :)
Regarding keeping foot on the pedals I kinda like the look of landing a big power move onto an obstacle and then a quick foot jab to the side of the bike to balance. You're right though, it looks kinda goofy doing it on a skinny.
Is what your calling a BC different from what I know as "pushes"
Hi Ali! Could you talk about side hops in the next vlog?
To me that's absolutely one of the hardest things to improve.
I'm right foot forward and I hop on the right side, I know it's not good but it's the only way I can do it. Maybe you could explain these aspects in one of your next vlogs.
Keep it up. You have the best riding style I've ever seen. Yo.
I did think many of your points were 'harshly put', but I totally get where you're coming from and I'm quite the same way. Its being a perfectionist and it is a good mindset since it makes you better at achieving your goals and your best self on/off the bike. I've always been this way and can be very critical of myself and how I can present my riding in the best form aesthetically.
I've had my stock trials for a few months now but only recently started to get it dialed and had the time to play on it regularly. As much as I want to ride things that are big and challenging, I'm restricting myself to dialing in my basics on this unique geo compared to mtb and only biting off what I can actually chew at the moment. Just step by step progress and its showing.
It isn't my fav vlog of yours to be honest, but I can for sure take some of your points and use them to my benefit in some form another...although I do agree with them for the most part.
Also, good touch with laughing at yourself about style and the riding kit. It lightened up the video in my view.
Bang on vlog as always Ali, looking forward to more riding clips! Heal up soon!
I think I emphasized the 'harsh' bit too much, it wasn't bad at all IMO. I guess it was appropriate in order to persuade others to better themselves as you mentioned. I appreciate your honesty!
i agree with you on the 'right way' discipline.
You might be able to get something done the wrong way, but the right way is always the best way.
I am new to riding and am sooo confused about “bitch cranks”. So you shouldn’t use the pedal crank to do gaps?
Basically if a technique can be done without using the pedals (usually moves where you already have momentum like bunnyhops and spins) then it always looks best not to jab the pedals (bitch crank).
If the technique requires a jab on the pedals (usually moves where you’re creating movement from static like a gap or sidehop) then that’s not a bitch crank because there’s simply no other way to do that technique.
A bitch crank is called a bitch crank because you’re bitching out of fully committing to a “proper” technique
If you are hopping on the rear wheel and press down the crank to move, does that count as a bitch crank??? Thanks
Ali Clarkson thanks - I agree with all the rules by the way, very good videos 👍
What shoe is that? Five ten freestyle?
Do you know when it gets realised? Should i wait or buy a free style model? Whats your opinion?
Thanks Ali, very inspiring! Although I keep the bitchcranks just for safety reasons, but I definitely work on the correction hops. :)
Wow ! Seems you're really strict with yourself, the nicest thing is it works. You're certainly not "right", nor "wrong", but those are pretty useful tips for the newcomers (and not only...).
Is it a bitch crank if I give a kick with my pedal while doing high side hop from the back wheel?
And is it wrong to train oppo side hop and 180 pivot and stuff like that?
Firstly I wouldn’t use the term “right” or “wrong”, I may be mentioning unwritten rules but I still approve of people going out trying stuff no matter how they do it so go out and practice any direction you like (that will make you a better overall rider anyway)
As for sidehops, no that’s not a bitch crank...a bitch crank is simply adding a jab to the pedals when you already have enough momentum to be able to do the move from body motion alone. If the move is from static then a jab on the pedals is necessary to generate the momentum needed.
@@Ali_Clarkson okay thanks for the reply and the good video
Thanks for your thoughts!
I tried some of them today and yes it works!
Ali, do you use your rear brake when you do manual fast down the hill(street) or you keep the balance only with your arms and legs (knees) ?
That's OK, but some riders in Russia make the difference between manual and surf. When you keep your point of balance only with your arms and legs it's called manual, but when you keep the point of balance with your rear break it's called surf. What do you think about it?
This video is awsome . You should do more vlog videos like this. Dont be shy about talking more on camera man, the main problem I have with your newer videos is that you don't talk enough!!
Hi Ali your an amazing rider and it was awesome seeing u at drop n roll a week ago
Ye it was hope to see you up at Inverness soon again
If i write them down are they written rules then?
your opinions are absolutely correct and I agree with them cuz as hard a trial rider will face tricks as better he will become.
with love from India
Hope you can get out riding again soon Ali!
+Ali Clarkson that's good then. Looking forward to the next video.
Does it really matter which way you turn on a 180? Just comparing it to a 180 dunk at basketball. It's not that you don't want to spin the one way or the other. It's just the way people turn; just like having the right or left foot in the front in trials.
In your "correct" example of hopping up to the rail... is that not a bitch crank? Or is it "acceptable" to BC once you're already on the back wheel by simply pulling up/manualling etc?
I do 180's right foot forward and spin to the right
"Danny Mac generation" lol the shit is real!
Yeah! I see many people today, who started riding street trials, but haven't any trials background. And then they start to do some very basic trials stuff, it looks very unstable and strange in some ways. :)
how old you started riding Street ?
I think he ride like 23 years
I don't understand what's wrong with Bc's if you are a trials rider. Like you said, bmxers do that
I watched this episode when I first came across your vlog, and not knowing much about trials and not having any experience riding trials I wasn't really all that sure about what exactly you were talking about. Now though, after having started riding street trials (directly because of your vlog), I completely get it! AND...I'm definitely guilty of bitchcranks!!! I suppose good to have discovered it now as I'm only new and it'll likely be a quick fix, than to have continued with it and made the habit permanent. One question though... Is there ever a time when a bitch crank is appropriate? For example, when you don't have a run up that allows you to get enough speed up to execute a proper bunny hop?
Anyway, as always, great vlog and always cool to look back on older episodes!
Exact same question I have as a beginner. Ever find the answer?
I ride for fun not to look good :) looking great is just a bonus can you please do a tutorial on front manual s with out brake s I no the basic s and how to back manual just finding it hard with front manual with out useing the brake please would love a tutorial
My completely selfish request for a future video is for you to come to Santa Cruz with Danny and go riding with me. I'm liking the vlog, especially you talking to yourself on the rail a few videos ago.
I agree with you on your points but you have the advantage of age & experience. Im not world class and many people are not pro like yourself, but for comparison my 20 years of skateboarding, yes with aforethought and if I had my youth again I would do things correctly, but I still had a lot of fun doing things wrongly, and still see younglings trying to tre-flip before they can kickflip or ollie. Now my mature self learning street trials, Im older and more patient to follow guidelines, yes its much more frustrating and slower but much more rewarding. In the long run.
did you go to trials lessons
I hate that I was "corrected" early on from sidehopping the Tunnicliffe way, or trackstanding the Ryan Leech way, but it seems like you might be doing the same thing here. What combos/lines exactly can a good BMXer not do regular or opposite or switch? You keep saying you can't really wallride towards your back foot and then 180 out towards your forward foot...yes you can. In fact it's easier for some.
On re-listening to the part about opposite-wallride-180s I realize I might have misunderstood. I guess you meant if you normally spin regular and then you link up a line with regular spins PLUS an opposite-wallride-180 then it might not flow as smoothly (like an Indian giver) or something? I thought you were saying that opposite-wallride-180s don't "work" properly somehow, like when I used to hear that sidehops toward your forward foot don't "work" :P. Although I'm still a bit confused by how you can spot a goofy rider by their "weird style"...that seems like saying you can tell when a person is left-handed just by their "weird" writing. Isn't it identical?
Okay, I've looked into it, and I definitely think there are some goofy-footed BMXers who don't look any different than the best regular-footed riders doing whips, bars, etc. You say "getting harder to spot", I say some are already equal. But I do agree that it sucks not knowing everything in the same direction. I learned both barspins and manual-180s opposite, so now I have to re-learn them if I ever want to do a manual-180-to-fullcab, for example.
lol I also figured out a few weeks ago that Danny only hop whips opposite... which I just... just whah.. whie
things weirdly XD hahahahahah
Could you do some how-to's, eg how to bunny hop higher? 👍🏻
+Ali Clarkson sounds good!
Hey Ali, thanks for this video :) I'm a new rider and its hard to understand what is technic, style or a cheat :D Ride on!
I agree with it all, its how I aim to ride, I'm on a strict no hop deal in lines now, it takes ages but that's the fun part for me. #thestruggleisreal
+Ali Clarkson thanks Ali, that's an extra boost to improve more, you need to venture down our way for some bikes soon.
I'm right foot forward and I wallride to the right and spin to the right.
Why don't you do some tutorials about basics
Is the moment right yet?
Is the pedal up a type of bitchcrank?
My pedal ups and bunny hops have a same hight, so its fine for me to use both techniques. But my touch ups are higher than the p ups and the bunny hops. I belive timing the ''tap'' is only possible when using the cranks. So i dont think this is considered as a bitch crank, but using cranks in manuals, spins, bunny hops doesnt look good at all!
I'll take a fullface helmet and try it out :D
Hey Ali Iam only 12 but I love you vids I seen you in Inverness and realised a trick takes ages to master please do some basic tutorials that would be cool
That's why only my wife and mommy watch my movies :-P
I think, from time to time is good to try brakeless ride. For me it have a big impact on bike control. No place for correction when you can't stop :-P
Missed this one
Great video.
Oh no I fell at the first hurdle, bitch cranks. And opposite rotation I'm a lefty. But I am am trying to correct these issues. Relearning after 20 years and cutting out bad habits
Love it !
I never do bitch crank in my 180 now i know why take me long time do it :)
I've become far more focused on the unwritten rules in the last couple years. They can be a pain! We are all guilty of them sometimes, I've even put them in videos. I feel way too guilty about a certain bitch crank in brakeless dosage...
Yeah BMX was the main trigger. My riding group always teased each other when we broke a rule.
As someone who got interested in to trials and enspecially street-trials by watching Dannys and your videos it's quite interesting to hear your opinions about all of this stuff.
I'm living on the land and there probably isn't a soul within 50km of my place who even knows what MTB trial is, yet rides himself. So I just learned all the tricks I can do (not that many, but it's getting better) by myself and by analysing some videos. I guess by riding all by myself I tend to screw some things up quite badly and don't understand why certain things won't work as I'd like them to which might result in some of the goofy things you've mentioned.
Never thought about these style things and I think you have some realy good points. Especially the bitch crank in a manual is something I realy dislike.
Nice vid and keep them going! :)
I agree with you Ali with bitch cranks and spins
hmm.. i think i train for two more years and then ill watch this again. maybe ill understand what hes talking about :D
oktobull lol
whats your secret for your tight pants? what brand style etc, i have big strong legs and tight pants bind me up pretty badly. are you wearing stretchy pants?
Yeah
It's awesome you apply that level of scrutiny to your own riding. It's what makes your videos so good to watch. I think it's unfair to include your opinion of other people's riding and so on based on your rules though. You come across as arrogant. I think maybe the rules were best left unwritten.
+Ali Clarkson And zoot alors on instagram the trials version of rodeo peanut.
Ali’s argument is well articulated. That’s not arrogant. If this was a 2 min rant without any logical arguments I could see how that would be arrogant but that is not what this video is.
A little bit ocd ali😜
why bitch crank is bad? its just another technic to get it done easier. its totally legit.
about bitch cranks, i say pulled is pulled, but that's just me
23:23 lol. that made me laugh :D
im gonna wear skinny jeans from now on :D
haha right. everyone needs to see my hot curves^^
Doesn't it feels uncofortable for your package riding with tide jeans. I agree 100% that tide jeans give some style to the riding, but what about Johny? I feel like i'm killing him sometimes :D
P.S I'm serious with this question :D
I think that you sometime just have to make a compromise :/ You can spend some extra time with Johny after riding.
haha :)
i just think you are using a trick from trials to assist you in tricks
Bitch cranks is a very useful thing
I agree with the pedal strokes when doing manuals and definitely wouldn't consider a line 'pulled' if a manual needed a pedal stroke.... but, not sure about Anything else? pretty much every single trials move is based around a pedal stroke. Don't think putting a pedal stroke in to get a bunny hop to rear wheel is a bad habit. Pre danny Mac becoming a house hold name it was the norm! Ryan leech started deleting his balance hops to make his trails lines look 'cleaner' and was possibly even the start of the new age trials style but I Don't think anyone would ever watch a Ryan leech vid and think he cheated his way through it with a few pedal strokes..... some of his stuff would still make a danny mac vid 15 years later! Only my opinion of course.....
Incase anyone reading this has only been riding trials since the whole danny Mac thing blew up and has never heard of Ryan leech...... check out Ryan leech, crux from 9 till 5 segment and bare in mind how old it is!
stop trying to apply "rules" to street trials. street trials was created to evade the strict rules of normal trials, spin whatever way you want, free ride and express yourself, have fun, go big and be happy.
Wesley Rath it's not rules it's more like style and good looking riding if you do everythings randomely its ok but doesn't look as good as doing it the correct way and with style.