BMX Trick
Barspin
A barspin is a BMX trick where the rider spins the handlebars a full 360 degrees in the air, then catches them again before landing.
Updated 3 min read631 words
A barspin is a BMX trick where the rider spins the handlebars a full 360 degrees while airborne, then catches them again before landing. It is one of the most common bar tricks in street, park and dirt riding, and it is often a rider's first spin trick.
Overview
The barspin builds on the bunny hop. Once both wheels are off the ground, you let go with one hand (or both), flick the bars around, and grab them again in time to land. The bike does not rotate. Only the bars do.
Riders add barspins to jumps, ledges, gaps and grinds. Because they are quick, they combine well with other moves, which is why the barspin shows up in so many lines and contest runs.
Flat versus ramp
| Flat ground | Ramp or gap | |
|---|---|---|
| Air time | Short | Longer |
| Speed | Slow | Faster |
| Best for | Learning the flick and the catch | Practising timing in the air |
| Risk | Low | Higher, more height to fall from |
Start on flat ground. When you can spin and catch the bars three times in a row without looking down, move to a small ramp or a bank.
How to do it
Learn on a brakeless bike or one fitted with a gyro, so no cable gets in the way. Ride slowly on a smooth, flat surface.
- Bunny hop. Get both wheels off the ground with a low, controlled hop.
- Let go with one hand. The usual choice is to release your dominant hand at the peak.
- Flick the bars. Push the bars with your other hand so they rotate. The flick should be short and sharp.
- Let them spin. The bars rotate around the stem. Keep your eyes on the grip coming back toward you.
- Catch the bars. Grab with your free hand, then re-grab with the other hand.
- Land. Land with both hands on the bars, knees bent.
Spinning direction
Riders usually spin in one direction and learn the other later. Pick the direction that feels natural for your dominant hand and stick with it until it is automatic.
With and without brakes
A rear brake cable will wrap around the bars every time you spin unless you use a gyro detangler. A gyro routes the cable so the bars can spin freely. Brakeless riders (see brakeless) have no cable to tangle and can barspin without extra parts. If you run a rear brake, a gyro is nearly a must for repeated barspins.
Variations
- Double barspin. Spin the bars twice before catching them.
- Barspin out of a tailwhip. Combine two rotation tricks in one hop.
- Barspin no-hander. Both hands off, spin, then catch.
- Barspin to x-up. A spin that finishes with the bars turned.
- Flat or ramp barspin. The same trick at different speeds and heights.
- Hop barspin. A low barspin used as a quick flourish.
Common mistakes
- Looking at the bars. Eyes on your hands slow the catch and unbalance you. Look ahead.
- Spinning too slowly. A lazy flick gives the bars no momentum.
- Spinning too hard. An over-flick can send the bars around too fast to catch.
- Landing before the catch. Time the spin so your hands are on the bars before your tyres touch down.
- Forgetting the stem. Make sure your stem bolts and handlebars are tight, because a loose bar can slip mid-spin.
- Bad cable routing. An unrouted brake cable will snag. Set it up properly before you start.
History
Bar spinning grew out of the early freestyle scene, where riders experimented with moving the bars independently of the bike. Its exact origin is debated, and by the 1990s the barspin was a standard part of park and dirt riding. It became more accessible once gyros arrived. See freestyle BMX boom 1980s and bmx in the 1990s.
Related tricks
Frequently asked questions about Barspin
Is a barspin hard to learn?
It is one of the first rotation tricks most riders learn. Expect a few weeks of practice on flat ground before taking it to a ramp or gap.
Do you need a gyro to do a barspin?
No. A gyro (detangler) lets the bars spin without twisting your brake cable, but brakeless bikes or riders who do not mind a cable can barspin fine. A gyro is a quality of life upgrade for rear-brake riders.
Should I learn barspins on flat ground or a ramp?
Start on flat ground at a slow roll. Once you can spin without looking, take it to a small ramp. Air time gives you more room, but it also gives you more time to panic.
Watch on the LUXBMX YouTube
A video about Barspin from the LUXBMX YouTube channel.
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