What is the secret to bunny hopping?

[TigerMom]

Technically, that is a front wheel lift. A rear wheel lift is a completely different move.
1. Get out of the saddle, neutral position. Don't be sitting.
2. Compress the fork, and at the same time you shift your hips back, pressuring through the legs and pedals.
3. It's the sudden shift of the weight/center of gravity back, combined with the release of the compression, that brings your front wheel up.

This is the position to practice from. Practice shifting your hips back and forth. Then, move them back and pressure the pedals. Then, add the compression. It's best to pedal some, slowly, and then coast, tyring the lift, and then pedal some more, coast, etc. Foam noodles are really good to practice: very forgiving.

I was practicing for about 20 min in my cul-de-sac, grunting like a tennis player.

Good news: I improved

Bad news: I can only lift up my front wheel about 2cm. If I am lucky, I can bunny hop over a twig.

Thank you Irulan for the foam noodle idea...although I am not even close to attempting that yet.

Currently my handle bars are on the lowest part without flipping the stem. My handle bars are about 2-3inches above my seat level (I have short legs, long torso). Do you think that maybe I can't lift my front wheel because I need to flip the stem on my handle bars because my handle bars are on the high side?


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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle
2010 Santa Cruz Juliana with R kit and Crampon pedals
2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle (sold)