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Full Step by Step Guide to Building a Bike Manual Trainer  
Date: 19/2/24 

Word Count and Aprox Reading Time: 944 words…… 5 mins

Why Build a Manual Trainer?

Mastering the manual is a fundamental skill for any mountain biker. It will enhance your control and ability on your bike while riding trails. They also look very sick and are a sure way to impress your riding mates. In this DIY guide, we'll walk you through the steps to build your own mountain bike manual trainer. This will allow you to practice and perfect your balance skills at home.

Step 1: Materials and Tools

Tools:

• Any saw

• Drill

• Drill bit

• Pencil

• Your longest bike

• Measuring tape

Materials:

• 2 common 2×6 boards

• 2 common 2×4 boards

• Some screws

• Bungee cord (optional)

• 1 screw eye bolt (optional)

STEP 2 - The First Cuts

Measure and cut a 20 inch long piece from one of your 2x6’s. This will be the rear wheel brace on the back of your manual trainer. 

STEP 3 - MEASURING THE BASE

1.) Lay a full length 2x6 on the ground.

2.) Mark the location of your eye bolt with your pencil in the center of the 2x6 about 2 inches from the end of the board.

3.) Place your bike on the 2x6 with the front wheel right behind the mark you just made. 

4.) Place the 20 inch piece of 2x6 from Step 2 (The First cuts) vertically behind your rear wheel.

5.) Using your pencil, draw a line where the 20 inch piece of 2x6 meets the base on the opposite side of your bike.

STEP 4 - THE HORIZONTAL BRACE

Measure and cut a 48 inch section of your remaining 2x6 (the one you cut the 20 inch section from in Step 2). This will serve as your horizontal brace and will keep your manual trainer from leaning side to side. 

STEP 5 - BRACING PADS

• Measure and cut two 8 inch sections from the same 2x6 used in Step 4.

• Using your drill bit, drill one hole in each corner of the bracing pads.

• Align the bracing pads on opposite ends of the horizontal brace and attach them using your drill and screws.

STEP 6 - PRE-DRILL YOUR HORIZONTAL BRACE

• Center your horizontal brace on the base behind the mark you made for your rear brace in Step 3. 

• Drill four holes at the center of the horizontal brace and attach it to the base with one screw for now.

STEP 7 - ATTACH YOUR HORIZONTAL BRACE

• Use the line from Step 3 to align your rear brace on the manual trainer base. 

• Move the horizontal brace so it is flush with the rear brace and use three more screws to completely attach the horizontal brace.

• By this step you should have something looking like the image below

STEP 8 - ATTACH YOUR REAR BRACE

• Drill two holes in the bottom of the rear brace.

• Use two screws to attach the rear brace to the horizontal brace via the two holes you just drilled.

STEP 9 - CUTTING YOUR SIDE SUPPORTS

Measure and cut two 24 inch sections of your 2x4. These will provide stability for your rear wheel.

STEP 10 - ATTACHING YOUR SIDE SUPPORTS

• Flip your manual trainer upside down and drill holes along the outside edges of the base where you will place your support in front of the rear brace. 

• Drill two holes on the back side of your rear brace just above the horizontal brace.

• Using your drill and screws, attach your supports to the base and horizontal brace via the holes you just drilled.

STEP 11 - DIAGONAL BRACES

This step largely depends on the geometry of your bike and the location of your rear derailleur. We decided to create a different version of these braces for the sake of derailleur clearance and ease of building. We also attached an additional brace between the base and rear wheel brace for added support. See the photos below for inspiration.

STEP 12 - ATTACH YOUR DIAGONAL BRACES

• Before attaching your braces, place your bike on the manual trainer and make sure the diagonal braces will not contact your derailleur 

• If your derailleur doesn’t contact your diagonal brace, remove your bike and drill holes through the backside of the rear brace and the diagonal brace, then attach the diagonal brace to your manual trainer using screws. 

• If your derailleur does contact your diagonal braces, remove your bike and adjust your cuts until everything fits properly. Then attach your diagonal braces to your manual trainer.

STEP 13 - ATTACH THE HOOK FOR YOUR FRONT WHEEL

• Drill a hole where you marked your base in step 3. 

• Screw in the eye bolt and attach one end of your bungee to the eye bolt.

STEP 14 - CUT AND ATTACH YOUR REAR WHEEL BLOCK

• Measure and cut a 6 inch section from your remaining 2x4. 

• Place it flush with the front of your side supports and attach it to your supports with screws.

The Finished Product Plus Some Videos Guides if Still Confused

Videos:

Bonus for the real ones:

Although a close second, the manual trainer does not replicate the feeling of a manual with 100% accuracy. While manualing you use the location of your pedals to help you balance, moving them both forward and backward to recenter your weight. The manual trainer holds your rear wheel in place meaning you cannot pedal forwards. If you want to replicate the feeling of a manual with more accuracy, try removing your chain from your bike. 

(Information was from PNW Components go check them out)