How-to: Hip Flexion - Video by diamondbackusa

58 Comments

56 2

Nickerless (Jul 19, 2012 at 2:58)

What you need is a laser penis

57 0

lightningskull (Jul 19, 2012 at 6:01)

pew pew pew

EpicNovice (Jul 19, 2012 at 13:21)

apple working on it, should be available in time for next Christmas.

12 0

tanner-greiner (Jul 19, 2012 at 19:09)

iPenis

46 0

andrextr (Jul 19, 2012 at 4:21)

www.pinkbike.com/photo/8415259

lol

trevor-attridge (Jul 19, 2012 at 19:22)

I think this is super helpful because while I can't ride due to injurie or broken down bikes, I can still learn

23 0

rbreish (Jul 19, 2012 at 2:11)

I bet shakira's good at this. Also why would I buy their dvd's when i have PB?!

BeardlessMarinRider (Jul 19, 2012 at 10:42)

Sad technical point: What does hip "flexion" have to do with this technique? Sure there is a small amount of extra hip flexion (sagittal plane motion) as you open up the inside knee but the technique is more about a rotation of the hips and torso in the transverse plane (which is not flexion!). That is all

10 0

Robotra (Jul 19, 2012 at 17:21)

Flexion is a cool word

simsalonaut (Jul 25, 2012 at 15:20)

Nailed it, Robotra.

Matt-W (Jul 19, 2012 at 12:51)

This video is a little misleading, calling it 'hip flexion' doesn't add anything because you aren't flexing them, you are twisting into the corner to counter the force and increase stability, the uncoiling of this twist works as pump when the rider returns to their normal trail position.

Dally666 (Jul 20, 2012 at 22:04)

I was playn around with this technique yesterday on a long steep fireroad in between some fun single track. I tried keeping evergthing super straight except my hips. My bike turned every time. I was surprised how much I turned. I know I do this instinctively but increasing the flex does help. I never get tired of these vids. Thanks guys.

hillatoppa (Jul 19, 2012 at 0:27)

Mmmm, sweet double berms... where are these trails?

kwilliams420 (Jul 19, 2012 at 0:38)

Duthies Hill, 30 minute drive from Seattle.

hillatoppa (Jul 21, 2012 at 8:11)

Ok thanks, I'll be right over.

rhys-the-rider (Jul 19, 2012 at 0:43)

it sounds like a sex manoeuvre...

zixs (Jul 19, 2012 at 5:20)

guys, just look at this pic of Greg Minnar, a guy who doesn`t know how to ride

pic is here : www.3minutegaps.com/assets/riders/greg_minnaar.jpg

Elbry, you`re right. Upper body should remain static and not leaned inwards,if so the bike will skid out.
The correct technique is to turn your body mostly from the hips in the direction you want to go. It is the same technique in skiing,moto and so.

OS141121 (Jul 19, 2012 at 10:57)

With that said, he is a world cup racer and I'm pretty sure he won a race

weezyb (Jul 19, 2012 at 9:50)

So remember, when making those turns:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PbRZ5QMAs0

pball19ac (Jul 19, 2012 at 10:56)

Don't have problems with cornering but certainly would like to learn how to do more of a controlled cuttie. Any advice? I want to be able to do a power slide through a corner without grabbing any brake. Other than going fast and unweighting the rear end what's the secret? Basically I want to be able to do what Fabien does at 41secs in on this video www.pinkbike.com/news/Fabien-Barels-videos--how-to-cornering.html

rdompor (Jul 19, 2012 at 11:18)

He locked up the back wheel. You can see the wheel stop spinning.

pedal-progression (Jul 19, 2012 at 12:56)

drifting both wheels is all about perfect weight distribution. You need to be able to ride so that you need minimal movement to put more weight on the front to steer or more weight over the rear to get the front to slide too. Practice getting your body position right by riding an easy trail with a loose grip on the bars and getting it so you support your weight through your legs not through your arms. You'll have to have a good posture on the bike to do this without nailing your back...

SuperSlowDH (Jul 19, 2012 at 18:53)

It requires balls. When you feel it starting to go don't grab up on the brake and get vertical.

cloudkap (Jul 19, 2012 at 19:08)

i can tell you the secret right now. I learned this on snowy roads but you can do this on wet grass, or loose/fine gravel (has to be consistent not rutted or bumpy). take your hands off your brakes, get however much speed you're comfy with, (doesnt take much) and do 2 things: lean the bike over DRAMATICALLY before turning the wheel (helps break traction) and put a foot down/footplant (takes weight off the back wheel)
Any directional change at that point will bring the rear out pretty quickly. Counter steer with the front as needed.
Then, as you go faster and get more comfy, you will get longer and more controlled slides, and need less force on the foot plant, until the foot plant isnt needed any more (you can preload the front/back before steering and get the same effect) (kinda like a "wiggle")
By the way, this method, (if you remember to LEAN the bike over to break traction early), is a great way to get the front wheel loose in a controlled manner, and get some nice 2-wheel slides going, and get used to the breaking point of traction of yer front wheel too.
The reason i learned this was cuz i was riding a bmx with no brakes in the winter, and i basically learned how to hockey stop/carve with it to slow down

Dally666 (Jul 20, 2012 at 21:39)

pball91ac I've been trying to do this for years. I just can't seen to get my back wheel to break traction that feels controlled Funny though it wasn't too long ago that people screamed when ever anyone broke ground on a trail. Now it seems you can't watch a vid without seeing roosters fly on every turn. I still don't think trail builders dig it (literally). My feeling is that it looks cool but isn't as functional. Just a thought, no ill will man.

gromryder (Jul 19, 2012 at 2:20)

this isnt too different than what i learned at sgc. STEER WITH YOUR BELLYBUTTON

luis-beri (Jul 19, 2012 at 8:30)

i have much more difficulty in turning right than left! i can really rely on turning left with foot off, but to the right no... even when riding my motorbike it happens this... why?

cloudkap (Jul 19, 2012 at 19:09)

you're not an ambi-turner.... =)

luis-beri (Jul 19, 2012 at 8:37)

i have much more difficulty in turning right than left! i can really rely on turning left with foot off, but to the right no... even when riding my motorbike it happens this... why? what can i do better my right turns?

bunkey (Jul 19, 2012 at 9:48)

Depends which foot you ride forward. I can lay into left handers because i ride left foot forward so its easier to drop the right pedal, dip the bike to the left and let it hang out. I also find it easier to countersteer right when I'm turning left because, being right handed, thats my natural direction. Just play around with it and try riding your opposite foot forward. Its just one of those things which comes with experience. Find a steep field, stay off the brakes and carve your way down as tight as you can. Oh yeah, and get loose for the grin factor.

jknox1030 (Jul 19, 2012 at 11:08)

I have the exact same problem. I ride left foot forward and have a much harder time railing right turns. Thanks for the insight. This was a great video! Thanks PB!

joeyjoedotorg (Jul 19, 2012 at 0:17)

Point with yer pecker!

philaaay (Jul 19, 2012 at 2:31)

I miss the Fluidride shop... so close to where I lived when I lived by UW... but Big Tree Bikes is right down the block so it's no biggie =)

taletotell (Jul 19, 2012 at 4:44)

I hate you

mikethespike (Jul 19, 2012 at 6:01)

Nice - more like this please PB!

bik34life (Jul 20, 2012 at 4:12)

Hey Simon I don't know if you'll look at the comments but I was that kid who ate shit hard on gravy train a few weeks back. You are one hell of a rider.

wolftwenty1 FL (Jul 19, 2012 at 7:48)

Interesting. Cool to think about why certain movements make things happen.

speshp2 (Jul 19, 2012 at 7:11)

its way to complicated just push you back end out and look, just enjoy the whip not all this scientificy stuff

nikoniko (Jul 19, 2012 at 7:35)

Great instructional video! RideOn!

dfinn (Jul 19, 2012 at 12:53)

Really appreciate the crotch shot!

Tom-Ryde (Jul 19, 2012 at 12:54)

Looks like a very similar technique to edging your skis to turn a corner

pigman65 (Jul 19, 2012 at 16:15)

Kyle Thomas looks like Rafterman out of Full Metal Jacket

tanner-greiner (Jul 19, 2012 at 19:11)

Am i the only one that had absolutely no idea what "Hip flexion" is..?

CdaBikes (Jul 20, 2012 at 15:27)

What is the advantage of wheeling out of a burm?

luis-beri (Jul 23, 2012 at 9:05)

thankx for the tips bunkey

NWthrillbiking (Jul 20, 2012 at 10:52)

Duthie hill!!!

Below threshold threads are hidden

elbry (Jul 19, 2012 at 0:22)

upper body moving inwards, not a very good technique at all . need to unlock you hips and as a above belt/peker point.

Elbry
Trail Head skills coaching

demo8jack (Jul 19, 2012 at 1:11)

could say its personal preference to how you want to do it?

elbry (Jul 19, 2012 at 3:17) (Below Threshold)

bad technique and good , if you promoing it, you should promo the best advice?

taletotell (Jul 19, 2012 at 4:51)

Everything he said made sense. I use he same techniques on a Moto to keep controll in tight forested conditions.

ebxtreme (Jul 19, 2012 at 8:19)

Hey Elbry, how 'bout you put together a skills video, so we can critique your instruction. This entire video is based on "hip flexion" and he differentiates between flat and bermed corners in how he leads with either hips or chest.

shearny (Jul 19, 2012 at 8:52)

Elbry's right, unlocking your hips puts your weight through the tires contact point, giving grip

BeardlessMarinRider (Jul 19, 2012 at 10:39)

Where does this vid say "upper body moves inwards"? This vid is about rotating the hips which is exactly what you are saying yet your comment sounds critical of the vid??? Wierd when you are both promoting the same technique...

ctd07 (Jul 19, 2012 at 6:43)

people need videos for this? lol

Downhill340 (Jul 19, 2012 at 8:15)

Why wouldn't they?

ZDirt (Jul 19, 2012 at 17:26)

It helps new people get more confident in the sport which helps them enjoy the sport more/betta/qucker. Which puts more money into the industry, which in turn makes more money available for RnD, which helps bring more innovation. That innovation keeps things from getting boring and makes me open up my wallet....which all the dealers, bike parks, bike rack companies etc.get more of the ever growing consumers cash...... or something like that.

5 11

iridept (Jul 19, 2012 at 8:34)

i do that naturally... i don't need a freaking video.

11 0

Session603 (Jul 19, 2012 at 11:54)

you are amazing.