There is no single best trick
“Best” depends on what you ride, where you ride and what you want from it. A commuter, a trail rider and someone who likes a local skills park may all be intermediate, yet they would be wise to pick different next steps. This article is about choosing, not about step-by-step technique.
Whatever you pick, every trick involves a risk of falling. Wear a helmet, add gloves and pads for anything new, and begin on flat, quiet, traffic-free ground in the smallest version of the skill. Some tricks, such as flips and tailwhips, are for trained riders at skills parks with qualified instruction, and they are left out here on purpose.
Three questions to ask first
What bike do I have? A tall, heavy or loaded bike makes lifting and balance tricks harder. A bike with a very narrow handlebar or a fixed gear behaves differently from a flat-bar bike with a freewheel. Check that brakes, tyres and wheels are in good condition before you trust the bike with something new.
Where can I practise? A trick that needs a soft landing or a ramp is pointless without somewhere suitable. Be honest about whether you have a smooth, empty space, access to a pump track or a skills park.
What am I trying to get from it? Some riders want everyday benefits, such as smoother braking and cornering. Others want fun, variety or progress towards a discipline. Your goal should decide which trick is worth the risk.
Comparing common options
| Trick | Best suited to | Main demands | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual | Riders who like balance puzzles | Balance, brake control | Falling backwards |
| Bunny hop | Almost any bike with good brakes | Timing, weight shift | Landing badly, pedal slips |
| Small drop | Riders on trails or in parks | Calm landing, line choice | Going over the bars |
| Pumping | Anyone near a pump track or rolling path | Smooth rhythm | Low if speed is modest |
| Track stand | Commuters, riders wanting balance skill | Patience | Low-speed tip-overs |
| Carving corners | Road, gravel and trail riders | Vision, grip awareness | Sliding on loose ground |
The table is a rough guide, not a ranking, and the real risk depends on you and the setting.
Matching tricks to bikes and terrain
On a mountain bike, riders often pick drops, pumping and cornering, since those link to trail riding and the mountain bike tricks they see on the trail. A gravel bike usually suits cornering on loose surfaces and careful hops, while gravel bike tricks need more care because tyres can slide. A road bike with narrow tyres and drop bars generally suits control skills rather than hopping, and road bike tricks tend to centre on cornering, braking and balance.
A BMX or similar small bike makes lifting skills easier to learn because it is compact and light, which is why bmx bike skills are the usual starting point for many hopping and manual skills. Fixed-gear bikes allow some unusual balance work, and fixed-gear tricks have their own risks since the pedals keep turning. Heavily loaded or cargo bikes are poor candidates for lifting tricks altogether.
If you ride a town or commuter bike, the best use of your time is probably the skills that help on the road: a controlled stop, a clean cornering line, a track stand at a junction and a small, careful hop.
Matching tricks to goals
- Everyday confidence: braking, cornering and balance work. These are the least risky and the most transferable.
- Trail riding: pumping, small drops and cornering, ideally with trail line reading practice so you choose a sensible path.
- Skills park or skatepark fun: start with the rules of the park, then manuals and small hops at a modest scale. Skatepark riding has its own etiquette and crowding, so visit at a quiet time.
- A general sense of progress: pick one balance trick and one weight-shift trick and revisit them over weeks.
Warning signs that you are choosing too much
If you are skipping steps because a video made a trick look easy, that is a warning. The same applies if you feel pressure to try something in front of friends, or if a trick requires a feature you cannot walk and inspect first. Slow down, and drop back to an easier version.
It is also sensible to ask whether a trick needs a landing you cannot see. If so, leave it for a supervised park with an instructor.
Practical next steps
Pick two tricks at most and set aside short sessions to practise them. Choose protective gear for bike tricks that fits well, and replace a helmet after a significant impact in line with the manufacturer’s advice. Keep a note of what felt solid and what did not, and change your plan if a skill stops being fun.
A lesson from a qualified instructor at a local park is often the quickest way to learn which trick suits you and your bike, and it can show you faults that are hard to spot yourself.