The Snitz
5th May 2004, 01:26 PM
i need advice on cliff hangers kinda. i can get my feet up under the bars and let go a little like about 6 inches
The Cliffhanger is one of the all-time favourite tricks of any rider. Not one FMX Vid gone by would not have a Cliffhanger of some description in it. The Cliffhanger only recently has been upgraded to tricks like the Jackhammer and Christ Air which look absolutely awesome! The cliffhanger always looks good because the fact your feet are where your hands SHOULD be, and hands are where they aren't Supposed to be ... In the air!! :p This is what makes the Cliffhanger quite a dangerous little trick but treated with respect and caution, is one of the best feeling tricks to pull.
When you are thinking of doing the Cliffhanger, you need to know you can let go of the bike without fear, and also be able to move your body up above the bike and do no footers with ease.
The cliffhanger is best to be explained in sequence for your convenience as that is how it is performed in the air:
1. Approach the ramp in normal position, and make sure to keep yourself standing up off the bike in the "ready" position to push your body up off the pegs and bike to begin the Cliffhanger.
2. When you leave the top of the ramp, begin to bring your knees up to your chest, with feet pointing forward as to catch under the handlebars. Make sure you get your feet in a good spot under the bars, some people like their feet to be hugging the side of the forks, while some like their feet under the curve of the handlebars near where you hold on.
I find it best when starting out, to keep your eyes centred on the handlebars so you can see your feet under the bars, and you can also see your hands letting go, rather than looking at the ground.
3. When you feel that your feet are firmly under the handle bars, watch the handle bars, pull yourself closer to the bars a little with your arms, so you know your body is close to the bars incase you want to grab on.
4. When you feel comfortable holding yourself above the bike with your feet tucked under the bars, you can begin to let go with one hand for starters. Go up and tuck your feet in and then let go with your left hand. Do this very small, just let go and grab back on quick as this will be a natural reaction. Then as you get more confident, bring your left hand up higher and higher until you can throw your hand way up into the air.
5. Now that you have the confidence to take one hand off and throw it way up, you want to bring the right hand off and throw it up... If you feel confident enough, then by all means go for it, But, it may be better for you to start small again, Leave the ramp, bring your feet up under the bars and then just very quickly take both hands off the bars and grab back on quick... Keep taking small steps in working both hands off the bars.
Extension tip #1 :
When you want to extend the cliffhanger, instead of being cramped up the front of the bike, what you can do now, is when you let go of the bike with your hands, bring your arms straight behind your back like a "Suicide no hander". This will make the trick look alot better and you will feel alot more confident within yourself too. Then you can maybe try and bend your arms Up and backwards which is the way most riders extend the Cliffhanger.
Extension tip #2 :
You can also extend the Cliffhanger by straightening your legs out, or try to push up higher above the seat. It all depends on what you prefer really and what you think looks cooler, but it's best to know both just to mix it up.
When you leave the ramp, make sure your legs are locked in tight, and keep pressure on the inside of your boot on the handlebars also (To give you more confidence when extending your legs).
To lay back more, simply keep your bum just up off the seat, and push your legs straight out. This way you aren't too far from the bike at all times, and you are also getting good extension.
Extension tip #3 :
To kind of stand taller on the bike though, you want to keep your body up close to the front of the bike. Make sure your looking down at the bike to know exactly how high you are from the bike. You want to keep your knees bent as you let go, keep your hands pointing down as your first beginning to push up into the sky, as you may feel disorientated also. And al you have to do is pull your bum forward to straighten your back, this will make the cliffhanger look great also. (Also it will get you in a great position to start working on Jackhammers :))
*Bike Tip* - Skatedeck Grip can be used on the side of the forks. I've seen Jamo do this and it works wonders. It grips your boots to the forks whilst your doing a cliffhanger. Stick a length about 20centimeres long up the forks at the top and this may help you gain confidence in letting go and making sure your feet stay where they should :)
The cliffhanger is one of the earliest tricks but like I've said it can still look really good and is a platform for bigger and better tricks, take it easy and don't go too hard at this when beginning. Good Luck
Pic - This is a cliffhanger keeping your bum closer to the seat, still has good extension and looks good.
Copyright © Steve Sommerfeld 2004 All Rights Reserved.
The Cliffhanger is one of the all-time favourite tricks of any rider. Not one FMX Vid gone by would not have a Cliffhanger of some description in it. The Cliffhanger only recently has been upgraded to tricks like the Jackhammer and Christ Air which look absolutely awesome! The cliffhanger always looks good because the fact your feet are where your hands SHOULD be, and hands are where they aren't Supposed to be ... In the air!! :p This is what makes the Cliffhanger quite a dangerous little trick but treated with respect and caution, is one of the best feeling tricks to pull.
When you are thinking of doing the Cliffhanger, you need to know you can let go of the bike without fear, and also be able to move your body up above the bike and do no footers with ease.
The cliffhanger is best to be explained in sequence for your convenience as that is how it is performed in the air:
1. Approach the ramp in normal position, and make sure to keep yourself standing up off the bike in the "ready" position to push your body up off the pegs and bike to begin the Cliffhanger.
2. When you leave the top of the ramp, begin to bring your knees up to your chest, with feet pointing forward as to catch under the handlebars. Make sure you get your feet in a good spot under the bars, some people like their feet to be hugging the side of the forks, while some like their feet under the curve of the handlebars near where you hold on.
I find it best when starting out, to keep your eyes centred on the handlebars so you can see your feet under the bars, and you can also see your hands letting go, rather than looking at the ground.
3. When you feel that your feet are firmly under the handle bars, watch the handle bars, pull yourself closer to the bars a little with your arms, so you know your body is close to the bars incase you want to grab on.
4. When you feel comfortable holding yourself above the bike with your feet tucked under the bars, you can begin to let go with one hand for starters. Go up and tuck your feet in and then let go with your left hand. Do this very small, just let go and grab back on quick as this will be a natural reaction. Then as you get more confident, bring your left hand up higher and higher until you can throw your hand way up into the air.
5. Now that you have the confidence to take one hand off and throw it way up, you want to bring the right hand off and throw it up... If you feel confident enough, then by all means go for it, But, it may be better for you to start small again, Leave the ramp, bring your feet up under the bars and then just very quickly take both hands off the bars and grab back on quick... Keep taking small steps in working both hands off the bars.
Extension tip #1 :
When you want to extend the cliffhanger, instead of being cramped up the front of the bike, what you can do now, is when you let go of the bike with your hands, bring your arms straight behind your back like a "Suicide no hander". This will make the trick look alot better and you will feel alot more confident within yourself too. Then you can maybe try and bend your arms Up and backwards which is the way most riders extend the Cliffhanger.
Extension tip #2 :
You can also extend the Cliffhanger by straightening your legs out, or try to push up higher above the seat. It all depends on what you prefer really and what you think looks cooler, but it's best to know both just to mix it up.
When you leave the ramp, make sure your legs are locked in tight, and keep pressure on the inside of your boot on the handlebars also (To give you more confidence when extending your legs).
To lay back more, simply keep your bum just up off the seat, and push your legs straight out. This way you aren't too far from the bike at all times, and you are also getting good extension.
Extension tip #3 :
To kind of stand taller on the bike though, you want to keep your body up close to the front of the bike. Make sure your looking down at the bike to know exactly how high you are from the bike. You want to keep your knees bent as you let go, keep your hands pointing down as your first beginning to push up into the sky, as you may feel disorientated also. And al you have to do is pull your bum forward to straighten your back, this will make the cliffhanger look great also. (Also it will get you in a great position to start working on Jackhammers :))
*Bike Tip* - Skatedeck Grip can be used on the side of the forks. I've seen Jamo do this and it works wonders. It grips your boots to the forks whilst your doing a cliffhanger. Stick a length about 20centimeres long up the forks at the top and this may help you gain confidence in letting go and making sure your feet stay where they should :)
The cliffhanger is one of the earliest tricks but like I've said it can still look really good and is a platform for bigger and better tricks, take it easy and don't go too hard at this when beginning. Good Luck
Pic - This is a cliffhanger keeping your bum closer to the seat, still has good extension and looks good.
Copyright © Steve Sommerfeld 2004 All Rights Reserved.