Bar Hop

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When you first start trying barhops, be sure that your handlebars are set up correctly. If you don't think you have enough clearance to get both feet over the handlebars at the same time, visit our handlebar setup page.

Bar Hops are a good intermediate trick to work on because working up to the full extension is relatively simple and safe, providing you push yourself and always remember to get back on the bike in a timely manner.

When coming off of the jump/ramp, keep a nuetral body positioning and maintain throttle control. Once airborne, steady the bike and remove both legs at the same time,  bringing  your heels up to the bars/barpad. To aide in this process, work on extending your arms as your bring your legs up, as this will give you more room to work with.  When you have practiced this motion and feel comfortable moving up, the next step is to get your feet over the handlebars. The biggest obstacle in accomplishing this is to not panic while in the air if you get your heels caught while bringing your legs back over the barpad. Remember that the first time you put your legs over the bars you shouldn't allow them to get too far over, because you'll want to quickly bring them back to you in case you get caught up, etc., and need more time to correct yourself.  If you should get hung up on the barpad while bringing your legs back over, push down with your arms (which will push your body higher above the bike) and birng your kneeds up to your chest as far as possible, bringing your feet up and over any obstructions they may have encounntered. The easiest way to get your feet over the bars is to extend your knees (straitening your legs) once you have brought your heels above the barpad. After you have familiarized yourself with the motion of moving your feet over the bars and back, your next step will be to make the motion over the bars as fluid as possible. By moving your legs over the bars in as strait a line as possible, your bodys motions will be smoother and faster, and it will be easier to extend your trick.  This is where the most notable difference in the evolution of barhops is. A few years ago, an extended barhop meant legs straitened and pointing strait up in the air (see image top left). Nowadays, riders make a shorter line in moving their feet over the bars which allows them to get far more extension (such as Drake Mcelroys Dead Body)