The squeaker is a trials riding classic — you’ll really impress your mates if you can bust out this trick in the trail-centre car park!
It’s best to practise the Switzerland squeaker on flat, smooth ground because it’ll make it more consistent and predictable.
1. Stoppie start
Roll in at somewhere around walking pace with your good foot forward and pull your front brake to go into a stoppie.
2. Swing time
As your back wheel rises, let your front foot drop to the 6 o’clock position while still on the pedals. Swing your back foot forwards and put it on the front tyre, as close to the fork crown as possible.
3. Scuff it
Release the brake and scuff the tyre backwards with your foot. Using a combination of your front brake and foot, your bike will move backwards.
4. Foot drags
Start off small — drag your foot along the tyre for 25–35cm. Once you’ve dragged your foot as far as you want, lock the front brake and lift your foot back towards the fork crown, ready to scuff again.
5. Balance point
All the time you’re going to be around the balance point. As you scuff you’ll almost go forwards past the balance point, but when you lock the brake you’ll find that you drop backwards again.
6. Brake lock
You can do as many scuffs as you want, but once you’re done, lock the front brake and let the back wheel drop, put your foot back on the pedal and ride away like a champ!
Danny MacAskill’s top tips
You’ll probably go over the bars a few times while learning this trick. If you do start to go over the bars you need to stay relaxed, keep hold of the front brake and remember that the foot you’re dragging the tyre with can very easily touch the ground.
As you go over the bars, put your free foot down on the ground. Learning how to crash this trick safely will make it a lot easier to learn.
I’m doing it with a mudguard on here, but it’s best to not have anything covering the tyre, it’s much easier!