How to Do a Wheelie on a Mountain Bike
"Generally speaking, this is one of the most time-consuming and difficult moves out there," says Hans. "Some guys, even in the World Cup race, cannot ride a good wheelie. But you'll see kids riding them because they put the time into it."
- Difficulty:
- Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Bike Helmets
- Bike Pumps
- Bike Shin Guards
- Bike Tools
- Biking Gloves
- Mountain Bikes
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1
Adjust your seat to a low position. You'll ride the wheelie sitting down, and seat position will help keep your center of gravity and balance.
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2
Put the bike into a medium or low gear and begin at rolling speed.
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3
Crouch your upper body so your weight is over the handlebars.
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4
Turn the cranks to the 11:00 position.
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5
Pedal down and pull up on the handlebars simultaneously.
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6
Immediately lean back - as if you were in a rocking chair - and continue pedaling. You need to trust your rear brake, otherwise you'll flip over backward.
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7
Outstretch your arms and sit on the tip of the seat.
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8
Keep one finger on the rear brake while the others firmly hold the grip.
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9
Feather the brake continually - this helps to control speed and can prevent you from falling on your butt.
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10
Relax. The front tire should be pretty high in the air.
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11
Begin controlling the two balances: vertical and sideways.
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12
Adjust the vertical balance with the rear brake (if leaning too far back) or by pedaling (if your front wheel begins to drop).
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13
Fight the sideways balance early; it's impossible to recover if you wait too long.
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14
Control the sideways balance by sticking out a knee or foot, or by turning the handlebars in the opposite direction. (Just make sure the handlebars are straight before you come down.)
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15
Let the front wheel drop to come out of the move.
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1
Tips & Warnings
All these intricate and slight movements happen at once, which is why this is a difficult trick.
"I hate riding wheelies clipped into the pedals," notes Hans. Ride it flat.
For beginners, try riding slightly uphill. Also, practice hopping off the back for practice - so you'll be able to in a pinch.
There's no such thing as perfect balance - you will always be plus or minus your balance point. It will slowly become easier to correct.
Don't keep your weight over the handlebars once the front tire is in the air.
Don't try to pedal too fast or your speed will become uncontrollable.
Mountain biking is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.
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Comments
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grewolf994
Oct 18, 2010
If you have a mountain bike that have around 24 to 28 gears i suggest the easiest gear is 4, one on the left and four on the right. Begin riding in a slowwwwww speed but not to slow that you cannot balance. CRouch just a little bit but not to much, when your front wheel is controlably strait and you feel balanced you punch on that pedal. I never use my back brakes and only once im ridi a wheelie i use my body to balance by leaning forward and backward. Also do not step to hard on thos pedals. Try that few times and it might not work to some people but if it does work in a way but you still cant ride a long wheelie try to change some postures or try different gears and strengnth on stepping the pedals. Most important if do not give up if you faall you get back up there and do another one until your satified with what you got and then improve the next time. By the way my english is...
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nzsquigg
Jun 17, 2008
usually a mtb with dirt jump or street geometry(sp?) such as the specialized p. series or the giant st series are good.
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nzsquigg
Jun 17, 2008
usually a mtb with dirt jump or street geometry(sp?) such as the specialized p. series or the giant st series are good.
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oixib
May 15, 2008
apparently not all bikes are equally good to do wheelies. how to choose a good one?
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oixib
May 15, 2008
apparently not all bikes are equally good to do wheelies. how to choose a good one?
