Description:

Hang-5 is one of the most desired tricks by newcomers to flatland. Let me tell you right off that this trick is not easy and will take you probably several months to get somewhat consistant. Don't worry, it is just one of those tricks that is a huge stepping stone and when most people start trying it, they shouldn't be working on it just yet and so it seems to take a lot longer to learn than any other trick. I would recommend learning backwards hang-5's first as this will help emmensely with the learning curve.

Anyhow, to attempt this, roll forward at slow speed at first and practice pulling the ball of your foot on the peg back towards you while pushing the bars forward. This takes pratice and will come with time. It helps to watch you wrists pivot to the balance point so you know exactly where you need to stop pushing forward on the bars. The seat will also be in your butt at this point. You will need to use your leg for balance more than you think, esp. without brakes. Now watch the video till your eyes bleed, then go out and practice!

UPDATE: It will also help if you can do smooth sqeakers in a straight line. Then, take that to rolling bw hang-5. You will then already be familiar with the balance point. Then I would recommend trying them in the grass first. This will help you get the feel without hurting your face on the concrete :). Also, I found it easier for me to tap the brake real quick to get the backend up when I was first starting. This will help you get the feel of pivoting that peg back under you, but will become also become a bad habbit that I've had to overcome in the past years, so I would recommend you learn them without touching the brakes.

TRICK TIP - Submitted by iRobot: I've been working on hang-5s for a few months now and thought some (smaller) riders may be able to benifit from the following technique:

Before raising the back end I put my upper body near the balance point (above the handelbars). And instead of 'pushing' the handelbars, I kind of guide them by 'pulling' and focus more on the 'pop' or 'launch' with my balance foot.

My seat is setup just below the handelbars. Yesterday I tried hang-5s seatless, then with a raised seatpost. To me, they definately feel better with the seat level to, or just under the handelbars.

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