Derailled

Okay, so I must have imagined that... I can't find weight specs anywhere. I guess I'll find out in due course.

You'll be sweet as. Takes a bit longer to get rolling and you may have to try harder to get air but you will definitely pick up some new skilz . Let the mad, fun times begin

Got it this morning, threw it together, then took off the front brake (and discovered I need an air compressor to get the grip off to remove the brake lever), then tried bunnyhops - hard!

Weighed it just now - about 12.5kgs. I'm ok with that.

I can already see some upgrades required... the pedals are pretty average and not so grippy. And so it begins...

Bunny hops are all about technique, the trick is to practice getting the front wheel as high as possible, just ride along and pull up, then once you're happy with doing that, simultaneously push the bars up and forward while unweighting the pedals, I've done almost 3 feet before using this technique

Do you scoop your pedals with your feet too? I'm practicing lifting the back wheel with my feet. But putting it all together...?

Just been down to the skatepark on it. Fun times! Place was deserted, apart from one other inept individual on a rangi-as skateboard and scooter bike, and three 'youths' graffito-tagging the bowl. I suck, but I had fun.

Hmmm, not sure, I probably do as they feel pretty planted to the pedals

The practicing unweighting the back wheel is a good'un tho', gets you used to the feeling

Progress... tonight I tried putting it all together and managed to bunnyhop a small 2" rock. It was a full-on effort, with facials and everything! But... success!

I need to work on my timing, technique and height. Might venture out to the track tomorrow if I have time and see how badly I suck at pumping through the rollers.

Nice, thats where it starts, height is just getting your front wheel up higher before you pop, it will come with time as you get more confident

Another little session tonight, and I'm up to 100mm... one third of the way there, JB! It's still a full-on effort (extreme facials ), so I need much more practice to get it consistently and easily. I think I'll have to try hopping up the kerb next.

Nice one Mel!!!

I started with a high jump rig I built and slowly moved it up as I gained confidence, it actually makes you go higher when theres something to get over and its safe cause the bar just falls off if you miss

I've been using a few little rocks in a stack (or, like last night, a kids drink bottle I found), so if I clip it, it topples over and I don't get caught up in it. I think my next goal will be hopping the kerb, but I will have to save a few small cardboard boxes and try hopping over those.

The high jump rig sounds like a good idea.

I've got some video evidence! It's only a small bunnyhop, so plenty of room for improvement.

Nice one Mel!! try slower speed and you will go even higher, I find it hard to get much height at that sorta pace

which skate park do you play in? I occasionally take the mtb though melville although that spot gets a bit dodgy at times

Cheers JB. I'll give it a go in slo-mo.

Slidey, I was playing at Melville. Haven't been back since, just can't fit it in at the moment. I was there at lunchtime, hoping no one else would be around.

Your technique looks mint. The higher you want to go, the more you'll need to lever back onto the back wheel before springing up. Sweet.

Well, not much progression on the BMX of late. I've had a few sessions at the BMX track and really like that. No jumping yet, just pumping and trying to get a feel for it all. Best fun is riding with other women.

Other than that, I've finally sorted out my rear brake issue. I got an Odyssey Slic Linear cable and got rid of the stupid plastic guide that the cable travels through to get around the seatpost. I also made up a 'custom' reach adjuster so I can easily grab the brake lever now. It is smooth and powerful and so much betterer!

Nice one Mel, if you want a copy of a really cool BMX racing howto dvd I've got.

I'd be happy to post you a copy, PM me your address if you are keen

Well I now know why you have been going to the BMX track

I want a 24" Cruiser for playing on, maybe doing a few club race. Been about 20years since I rode a BMX last.

That's what I did, heaps of fun and pretty easy to slip a session in weekday evenings