https://demolitionparts.com/

Re-Print: Style Police - The No-Hander

Look Mom! Is my variation of this legendary style legit?

13 Apr 2018

Tuck No Hander Final

Words by Joey Spinoza | Originally printed in DIG 99.8 'The Legends Issue' October 2012 | Illustration by Mike Hughes

If you think about it, the no-hander is probably the first trick you learned on a bike. I’m sure it wasn’t the first trick you pulled in the air, but what kid didn’t learn how to ride with no hands? Ever since legendary BMX racer Antony Sewell pulled the first no-hander on dirt back in the early eighties and Jeff Carroll followed soon after in the skatepark, riders have taken the trick and put their own distinctive spin on it. We thought we’d take a look at some of the styles that are now loved and loathed in equal measure... except for number one; that’s just rad wether you like it or not.

1. THE CLASSIC

No Hander 1

It’s always good to start with a classic, and it doesn’t get much better than this… the original tuck no-hander style. Pioneered and perfected  in the late eighties on vert by Mat Hoffman, and on dirt by Chris Moeller, this became the standard. Arguably, this is still the definitive no-hander, but if you’re going to learn them you better have your protractor ready. 70° on one arm and 290° on the other. This version gets the DIG stamp of approval…

2. THE SUICIDE

No Hander 2

This wee guy isn’t even doing a Suicide correctly, but hey… This is one you don’t see all too often these days and for reasons that could hold fashion to ransom. It was also the first variation that caused a division between riders and sparked debate about which looked better. Possibly first seen in public by legendary BMX MC/Huntington Beach Karaoke King Grotbags and DIG ‘Straight Edge’ issue inspiration/Boy Racer Stuart King, they could be found throwing their hands way back behind them circa ‘92. And it was just ten years ago that Ratboy could be seen flapping his arms down stairs with a seatpost longer than his top tube. Now riders are pinching their cranks, and the seatpost and suicide no-hander have almost disappeared… for now. The never-ending fullness of circles should no doubt see this one rear its ugly head once more.

3. The Creeper

No Hander 3

Throwing sweets to the kids eh? Willy Wonka be creepin’, son! Look out Charlie, this dirty old bastard wants to hug you mid-run! The never-ending no hander, where the hell are the Oompa Loompas?… We have no idea where this monstrosity came from, but if you’re going to do something, do it right, right? This can be seen all over, especially by the wobbly dude at the skatepark, listening to Papa Roach, who’s helmet is always off to one side just a tiny bit. Throwing your hands off to the side with your elbows at a 45° angle won’t get you anywhere, apart from a world of shit talking. Last seen doing the rounds at FISE.

4. The Fear

No Hander 4

“Hey! Did you see my no hander?” “Nope.” This is a common no-hander variation that you can find at your local skatepark these days, reserved for the kids learning to take their hands off. You will often notice that it’s only the fingers that have actually been removed. If we’re not seeing the sweat stains under your armpits, you didn’t pull it. Nice shirt wee man. Nearly...

5. The Onion Picker

No Hander 5

Prior to Nathan Williams firing his arms straight down and the style debate wide open, an unknown French farmer used to ride by and pick onions with similar precision and ample amounts of speed. However, farming techniques aside, this one caused a bunch of controversy when it was first seen and picked up a flurry of nick names such as, ‘tuck no-touch my toes’ and ‘this little piggy’, amongst others. Even though this had a solid influence over no-handers for a couple of years it may already be consigned to the history books. For now anyway....

6. THE ZOMBIE

No Hander 6

The riding dead. You don’t see these every day, but when you do you’ll know about it. You may recognize this variation primarily from the stretched limbs of Ryan ‘Biz’ Jordan, but it actually appeared on our radar circa ‘88 via a little known BMX Action test team rider by the name of Brian Hernandez. Bonus info: this is actually a real photo of the newest addition to the Bone Deth team.

Previous

SETUPS: Matt Cordova

A first look at his new Verde rig

Next

Forgotten Artifacts From Profile's BMX Dungeon

Some truly Old School history that you don't see every day...

Related Content

Ruben alcantara BMX face tight VP

Re Print: DIG Legends - Ruben Alcantara

“He sees things very differently, and what makes sense to him, leaves most people scratching their head.” - Joe Rich

22 Jan 2015
Cam WOOD BMX SLASH SNWBRM UT ADJ

Re Print: Getting Creative With Cameron Wood

"People can call it what they want. We're not really skiing; we're bike riding"

29 Jan 2015
Dan Price portrait BMX 2012 RA

Re Print: Dan Price - Remember Me?

"BMX has changed, I’ve changed, and everything changes. It’s the nature of the universe."

3 May 2015
james-cox-dig-94-4

Re Print: James Cox - Committed

“ I don’t ever feel like it’s time to finish the video. ”

18 Dec 2014
Ralph sinisi bmx crop BC

Re Print: First Hand Account

That Time Animal's Ralph Sinisi Broke His Femur Filming for Nowhere Fast...

10 Sep 2020
WIZ BMX 2009 RD 1

Re Print: Wiz - First Time For Everything

Dedicated to the riders who have truly influenced bike riding

19 Feb 2015
Paul HORAN BMX van RD

Re Print: Inside Story - Paul Horan

"Life on the outside might get shitty from time to time, but you have no idea..."

27 Nov 2014
Joey Garcia BMX2012 JC

Re Print: Joey Garcia - Remember Me?

​ “I appreciate the fact that when I ride now, it's completely on my own terms.”

30 May 2015
colin-winkelmann-BMX-chicago-93-CH

Re Print: Mat Hoffman's BS Memories

"I REMEMBER THAT I LOST MY MEMORY AND DIDN'T KNOW I WAS RUNNING THE CONTEST..."

20 Nov 2014
Stew Johnson bmx aggro man AW

Re-Print: The Eddie Roman Influence

Stew Johnson reflects on 3 of his all time favorite videos, and the man behind them...

30 Oct 2014
craig cambell fastplant london2 2010 RH

Re Print: The Craig Campbell Interview

The man who invented peg grinds and the 540 wall ride. One of the most influential street riders of all time...

26 Mar 2015
jason enns bmx WM

Re Print: My Favourite Photo

Featuring Joe 'Butcher' Kowalski, Ian Morris, Brian Castillo, Jason Enns and Keith Terra

1 Jan 2015
http://colonybmx.com.au/products/

Latest Content

Yanosharches 1 sur 1

HIGH FLYERS - AN INTERVIEW WITH JANOSCH KLAUS

"My close friends inspired me the most."

21 Jan 2025
S64zkgsp8 X8hqdefault
Play Button

HIGH FLYERS.//JANOSCH KLAUS

Supported by VANS

21 Jan 2025
He2vw YYLI5khqdefault
Play Button

MASON RITTER - RAMBLIN MAN

"The road less traveled"

20 Jan 2025
Ahorito thumb 1
Play Button

JP CAROTHERS - 'AHORITA AL RATO'

From Guadalajara to California

20 Jan 2025
I Fq9o DQSC Yhqdefault
Play Button

Profile - Spoke and Word Ep. 6

Speaking for the trees

20 Jan 2025
N Dpad3e Fx P Mhqdefault
Play Button
Sp MPC4yn U3ghqdefault
Play Button

A BMX VIDEO

Fabian Bongers, Joshua Hareter, Noah Martella and Moritz Zell

16 Jan 2025
5 FC37j Ez7kwhqdefault
Play Button

WEEKEND VIBES - WILL FRASER

FLY OUT KING

15 Jan 2025
62 Wv GS De0 D4hqdefault
Play Button
Ef Ajqe F Iuc Uhqdefault
Play Button

DEEPEND - 'NEWLENSSHIT'

Eddie Baum, Sebastian Anton, Bruno Hoffmann, and more

14 Jan 2025
Xcv Kzlm S Cghqdefault
Play Button

TOM JUSTICE - THE ASYLUM - RAW

BOOST'in!

14 Jan 2025
FY Zkv Bocrnshqdefault
Play Button

KANODE KNOWS - TATE ROSKELLEY

Schedules, Creativity, Family & More

14 Jan 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Stack

DIG BOOK #2024

NOW SHIPPING

30 Dec 2024
New dig apparel main image

NEW DIG BMX APPAREL

Available now

27 Dec 2024
30 YRS POSH BOOK MNTN V V 004

(Almost) 30 YEARS OF POSH WOODS

Now available for pre-order

24 Dec 2024
BSD Grime Safari Reed Stark Austin 6

Reed Stark - A Photo Safari

Safari Forever...

6 Dec 2024
Et FW24 Dig Magazine Collab Shoot 031

Introducing the DIG X ETNIES Collection

Celebrating a 25 year partnership

7 Nov 2024
24 photo comp web leader

THE 2024 DIG PHOTO COMP IS NOW LIVE!

OVER $1000 WORTH OF PRIZES UP FOR GRABS

15 Oct 2024
Greystoke issue 2

GREYSTOKE BMX MAGAZINE - ISSUE 2 OUT NOW

132 pages of tangible, hold-in-your-hands BMX print media.

11 Oct 2024
SUNDAY Silvawave Frame 3 Q web

PRODUCT DROP: Brett Silva's signature SUNDAY 'SILVAWAVE' frame

"It was only a matter of time before Brett got to call the shots."

26 Sep 2024
Osomatsu 4

SETUPS - Kazuei "Osomatsu" Oimatsu - ALIVE INDUSTRY

A Ben Lewis signature frame stacked with Animal parts

12 Sep 2024
20240907 BOH 019 perris

BATTLE OF HASTINGS 2024 - Everything you need to know

Schedule, livestream links, highlights, results & more...

2 Sep 2024
Garrett ss24

SIMPLE SESSION 24 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Highlight videos, schedules, results and more

24 Aug 2024
Volume frames 2

PRODUCTIVITY - NEW VOLUME JASON WATTS & KRIS FOX FRAMES

Certified for roasting - THE SMOKO & THUNDERHOOF

6 Aug 2024