To od a roll back, do you have to have freecoaster hubs, or can you have freewheel?

No, you can rollback with any hub. What was key for me when learning with a freewheel was to backpedal a bit faster than the cranks wanted to go naturally.
The other key is just practice.
-Bill

thanks much! yeah, it just seems like you would need a freecoaster, but cool.

A freecoaster can help to make it easier to do tricks while going backwards. But I don't feel it necessarily makes it easier to learn to go backwards.
I ride both BTW...
-Bill

Yeah, just backpedal to keep pace with the momentum of your cranks/pedals. Don't sit during a rollback, or the style police will write you a ticket.

I find it easier to roll back using a slightly bigger sprocket - I run a 30/10 and it keeps the cranks from whipping around as quickly.

LOL I ride old school, I ride a 44t. sprocket. lol

Here is the secret: STAND UP, START BACKPEDALING AS SOON AS YOUR BACK WHEEL CATCHES, GET GOING FORWARD AS SOON AS YOU CAN. I am pretty good with the rollback, ask bmxpete

jesse D

how do you get back from backpedaling, like how do you do a 280? can you just start pedaling regular or what? do you have to turn blindly?

I read this, and quickly made a little how-to vid for ya. here ya go.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCmSpHRVAYU

Taught my wife these, and many others...

Thank you very much bro. I sent u a friend request and subbed

I myself just tire slide around another 180 deg, in the same direction, not an indian giver Consistent rollbacks are not hard, but take much practice

JD

Tell me about it I suck way too much at them but I have gotten a bit better at them this past summer.

I can roll back for miles sitting down then hit the back brake and spin around.
I never tried it with my pants falling down and my underwear sticking out while standing up.

whoah... you can do em in nuthuggers!? oh well, I guess some need less room than others.... heheh.

On another note, using brakes in a roll back is for sissies... control the speed with your pedals and spin with your skill. haha.

Oh, and why are you looking at my wifes underwear?

One more thing is to not move the bars much to correct any balance problems because now that you have technically moved to rear wheel steering, any movement feels like it has a greater effect.

This is a great trick to learn by yourself because little danger involved and can then be applied to so many others. I dislike practicing tricks and made an effect with this and the results were worthwhile. Good luck.