Anyone who thinks the stoppie is just an ice cream parlour manoeuvre is mistaken. Two of the most important skills on a bike are practised here: firstly, balance and secondly, controlled braking.
Lukas Schäfer shows how the stoppie works:
1. come forward!
Going over the handlebars is the primal fear of every biker. Therefore: feel your way slowly! Find a surface with good grip, preferably a moderately steep tarmac descent. Start with momentum. The cranks are horizontal, the body position is still centred.
2. voltage
Bend slightly (build up tension) and then stretch forwards dynamically but discreetly (release tension). At the same time, apply the front brake in a controlled manner. Result: The rear lifts off. Only increase the intensity slowly.
3. further
Work on the interplay between balance and braking for a longer ride on the front wheel.
The most common stoppie mistakes:
- Lack of courage
- Poor brakes
- Too little braking
- Too little forward momentum
- Weak opening impulse
