I've noticed you can cancel the spring by pressing the jump button right after the bounce, but it's still a pain to execute (even on 50% speed with save states).
Apart from some frustrating parts (jumping from ladder to ladder was the other thing I struggled with) it's a nice arcade platforming type of game with a likeable little character and some fun moments (like when the cubed dude decided to nibble some grass, and the jumpy animation on level end screens).