How To Fakie On A BMX (6 Steps!)

Do you want to learn how to do a fakie on a BMX bike?

Riding fakie, or rolling backward, is one of the beginner BMX tricks, and mastering it can open the doors to many other exciting tricks and combos.

It’s a MUST trick to learn!

A fakie is particularly ideal for all the technical street wizardry.

It can seem a bit tricky at first, but with patience, practice, and my step-by-step guide, you’ll be rolling fakie in NO time.

I still remember how long it took me to get the gist of it, but once you learn a fakie, you cannot forget it.

This post covers:

• Why it’s important to learn a fakie rarly on
• How to do a fakie on a BMX
• Common fakie learning mistakes & solutions
• Conclusion: Master fakies!

So, grab your bike, gear up, and dive into the nitty-gritty of how to ride fakie on a BMX.

Why It’s Important To Learn A Fakie Early On

Learning to ride fakie early on is like learning to walk before you run — it’s the gateway to UNLOCKING a whole new realm of tricks and maneuvers.

Think of it as learning the alphabet before diving into literature.

By mastering the art of rolling backward, you lay down a solid foundation, enabling you to progress to more advanced, stylish, and intricate tricks in the future.

It’s the stepping stone to maneuvers like half-cabs and full-cabs.

Learning a fakie fosters a deeper understanding of balance, control, and bike handling, essential components for any BMX rider.

Embarking on the journey to master the fakie can be both challenging and rewarding.

It might feel daunting initially, but remember; every pro rider started just where you are now.

Embrace the learning curve, savor the small victories, and before you know it, you’ll be rolling backward with grace and confidence

How To Do A Fakie On A BMX

Here is a simplified, step-by-step guide to help you learn the fakie.

Ensure to follow each step cautiously and always wear protective gear, such as a helmet and pads, to avoid injuries.

Remember, learning a fakie doesn’t require learning any other trick – it could be your first trick.

However, being comfortable with rotation (180) helps a lot.

Also, I recommend you first learn fakies with brakes, not how brakeles, how I demonstrate it in the video above.

Step 1: Start With A Mild Slope Or Ramp

To learn a fakie, you will need a small incline, a bank or a ramp (a quarter pipe is ideal).

This will help you initiate backward momentum more easily.

Approach the slope, bank or ramp and ride up slowly.

Note: If you don’t have any object to learn a fakie on, you can also use a curb.

Yes, really.

As I demonstrate in the video above, you can approach a curb or even a ledge slowly, gently bump into it with your front wheel, and then use the momentum to pull/push yourself backward.

I always lift up my back wheel because it gives me a more powerful backward motion.

Step 2: Use Your Brakes

Once you have ridden up the incline a short way, gently use your brakes to stop your forward momentum.

You should start rolling backward (fakie) down the incline.

If you’re brakeless, the first challenge will be finding the ideal speed, so your bike stops.

You’ll also need a little more balance skills at this stage because it takes a few short moments (of standing still) before you start rolling backward.

Step 3: Balance While Rolling Backwards

Keep your weight centered over the bike.

In fact, it’s even better to be slightly backward, more over your rear wheel, than centered precisely over your bike.

Use small movements of the handlebars to maintain balance as you roll backward.

Step 4: Control Your Speed

Feather your rear brake to maintain a controlled speed while rolling backward.

You can adjust speed with your cranks, pushing pressure on the pedals if you’re brakeless.

Avoid locking the brake as it will cause loss of control or – worst case scenario – LOOP you over.

Step 5: Practice Exiting The Fakie

Try to ride out of the fakie by turning the handlebars and pedals in the same direction, shifting your weight, and riding away forward.

Practice this movement repeatedly until you can consistently ride out of the fakie.

If you’ve already learned a 180, you can also do a half-cab, which is basically doing a 180 out of a fakie (see video above).

Pro tip: If rotating to the right is your natural way, learn to rotate to the left.

Knowing how to exit a fakie both ways will help you tremendously down the line!

Step 6: Progress Gradually

Once comfortable, practice on different slopes and surfaces to improve your skill and confidence.

One thing to work on is speed. Slowly increase speed, so you’ll be comfortable with going backward faster.

If you don’t have a high slope, bank or quarter, use the smaller one and do a bunny hop at the tipping point. This will give you extra speed for going backward.

Of course, don’t forget to gradually integrate fakie into other tricks and routines as you become more proficient.

For instance, you’ll need to learn a fakie first to pull a 180 on flat.

Bonus: Tips For Success

• Start slowly: Don’t rush; start with slow, controlled movements and progressively increase the difficulty. Start with a mellow incline and then progress to a steeper one.
• Stay relaxed: Keep your body and grip relaxed to maintain better balance and control. (Super important!)
• Practice regularly: Consistent practice is key to mastering the fakie. Dedicate time regularly to practice and refine your skills.
• Be patient: Mastery takes time. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t succeed immediately.

Remember, the goal is to have fun while learning and experimenting, so enjoy every moment on your BMX bike and ride safely!

Common Fakie Learning Mistakes & Solutions

Riding fakie on a BMX bike can be challenging, and riders often make several common mistakes while learning.

Here are some frequent errors and their solutions:

Mistake #1: Overusing The Brakes

Solution: Learn to feather the brakes lightly to control your speed instead of completely locking them, which can stop the bike and throw you off balance.

Mistake #2: Incorrect Weight Distribution

Solution: Keep your weight centered over the bike. Leaning too far forward or backward can cause a loss of balance and control.

However, I like to be slightly more backward than completely centered because it makes pedaling backward easier.

Also, keep your body relaxed, knees slightly bent, and feet level on the pedals.

A stiff or awkward body position can make balance and control more difficult.

Mistake #3: Not Using Enough Momentum

Solution: Develop enough forward momentum before initiating the fakie. Too little momentum can make balancing and rolling backward more difficult.

If the incline you use doesn’t give you enough speed, do a bunny hop at the top, as I mentioned earlier. I also demonstrate this movement in the video above.

Mistake #4: Giving Up Too Soon

Solution: Be persistent and keep practicing. Patience and consistent practice are key to mastering the fakie.

Celebrate small progressions and don’t get discouraged.

Unfortunately, although fakie is an easy BMX trick, getting used to the movement still takes time.

Mistake #5: Practicing On Uneven Surfaces

Solution: Choose a smooth, flat, and obstacle-free surface to practice, reducing the risk of accidents and making learning easier.

Mistake #6: Oversteering Or Understeering While Rolling Backward

Solution: Use subtle movements of the handlebars to steer while rolling backward. Avoid abrupt or excessive steering inputs, which can lead to instability.

Mistake #7: Not Exiting The Fakie Properly

Solution: Practice different methods to exit the fakie until you find one that feels natural and controlled.

Exiting with control is crucial for combining the fakie with other tricks.

Remember, every rider has their own learning curve, so don’t compare your progress with others.

Enjoy the learning process, practice regularly, stay safe, and most importantly, have fun on your BMX journey!

Conclusion: Master Fakies!

I truly hope this BMX fakie guide has sparked some excitement and motivation to go out and start practicing fakies.

Remember, every rider has been where you are right now, and every pro has faced the same challenges you are experiencing.

Embrace the learning curve, enjoy every little success, and keep the spirit of BMX alive by continuously pushing your boundaries.

Riding fakie is a fundamental BMX skill, and unlocking it will open the doors to a whole new world of tricks and riding styles.

It’s about balance, control, patience, and, above all, having loads of fun.

Let’s continue to grow, learn, and share our passion for BMX riding!

Further reading:

• How To Bunny Hop On A BMX Bike
• How To Manual On A BMX Bike
• How To Install BMX Bike Grips
• Common Beginner BMX Mistakes
• How-To: BMX Bike Maintenance