Riding The Flybar

A Collection of Random Thoughts

Safety

There's no doubt that the FlyBar qualifies as a Dangerous Toy. I armor up fully to use it, with elbow pads, wrist pads, and a helmet. So far all of my falls have been to the feet, but at 48 years old it Only Takes Once for me to be looking at a long recovery time.

Initial Configuration

I weigh about 180 naked, so I hooked 9 elastics up at first. I set the piston length to the absolute lowest level -- about a foot. I found that I could bottom this out, but with difficulty. When I added an elastic, the ride became so much firmer that my bounce-height started to suffer. Beware that when the FlyBar is new the plastic hooks on the tops of the elastic elements can sometimes let go. This may mean that you're running fewer elastics than you think you are. This problem seems to go away as the machine 'beds in' properly.

The shell screws on the FlyBar are steel going into aluminum, so use care when you're installing or removing the shell. It's easy to mis-thread a screw, and if you use too much force on it after that you'll damage the threads. Fixing this is simple with the correct tap, but it will mean a trip to the hardware store and the spending of money.

Learning to Bounce

The FlyBar, like most riding toys, works best if it is directly beneath your center of gravity. In practice this means that when it hits, you should have it well centered beneath your hips. One trick which helps in the beginning is to grab the shell tightly between your knees -- as you gain experience, this becomes less necessary.

Keep only the balls of your feet on the steps; this makes the machine much easier to control. When you're trying to make many bounces in a row, it's easy to blister your hands. You can help this problem by keeping your thumbs on top of the handlebars, but the real solution is to change the handlebar grips out for something a little less abrasive.

To mount the flybar, look first at the pedals and hop up on them. Immediately after you've landed on the pedals, shift your eyes to the horizon. It is actually far easier to balance when you are looking up and out than it is when you're looking down on the ground, and this also will give you a better chance to avoid whatever obstacles, drunks, or flying dogs and children are in your vicinity.

Extending the Piston

I have been putting in three to four 10-15 minute sessions a week, and lengthening the piston one notch once a week. When you lengthen the piston, you'll find that the machine goes a little higher with each bounce, but also becomes a little more difficult to control.

First Tricks

Stall

This is simple and safe. Bounce lower and lower until you're standing motionless on the piston. Try to hold your balance for as long as possible, then start bouncing again.

Foot Lift

Simple, but relatively scary. Try to lift both your feet off the pedals while you're in the air. If you keep your feet directly above the pedals, you'll land back on them when the flybar hits the ground beneath you.

-- CharlesShapiro - 12 May 2006