An icepick is balancing on your back peg on the edge of a ledge, curb or coping, with the front wheel up in the air. You can hold it as a stall or slide along as a grind.
What you need first
- A steady manual. The icepick is the same balance on the back of the bike.
- A bunny hop high enough to get onto a low ledge or curb.
- Pegs on your back wheel.
Step by step
- Find a low ledge. A smooth curb or low box with a solid edge. Waxing the edge helps the peg slide.
- Ride up slowly. Approach almost parallel to the ledge at walking pace, with the peg side towards it.
- Hop the back peg onto the edge. Bunny hop and set the back peg on the edge while keeping the front wheel high, like a manual.
- Find the balance. Keep your weight over the back peg and the bars straight. Small movements of your hips keep you up.
- Stall, then grind. Hold it still first. Once that feels steady, come in a little faster and let the peg slide.
- Get off. Push the bars forward and hop off the ledge, landing back wheel first or on both wheels.
Common mistakes
- Front wheel too low. If it drops onto the ledge, it is a different grind. Keep the front up like a manual.
- Peg not on the edge. Too far on or off and you slip. Aim the peg right onto the edge.
- Too much speed. Learn the stall at walking pace before trying to slide.
- Leaning too far back. You loop out. Keep your hips over the peg, not behind it.
Stay safe
- Wear a helmet, knee pads and shin guards.
- Start on a low curb, not a high ledge or rail.
- If you start to fall back, step off the back and let the bike go.
More on gear and bailing on the safety page.
What’s next
Once you can hold an icepick, try it on a longer ledge or on a quarter pipe’s coping. More Progression tricks →