How to Pop a Wheelie

Popping a wheelie seems like a stunt reserved for kids. However, it's an important move in mountain biking that helps you get over obstacles such as logs and rocks.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bike Shorts
• Bike Helmets
• Bike Jerseys
• Mountain Bikes

1. Practice on a flat road, trail or grassy field.

2. Take your feet out of your toe clips or clipless pedals to practice the wheelie. This way you can quickly put a foot down if you wheelie too far backward.

3. Shift to one of your middle gears and start pedaling slowly.

4. Crank down hard on one pedal and shift your body weight back on your seat.

5. Pull back on the handlebars while your weight is shifted back, and watch your front wheel rise in the air. The more you lean back on your seat, the higher you'll be able to wheelie.

6. Lean forward on your bike and push the handlebars down to get your front wheel back on the ground.

7. Wheelie up and over an obstacle by gaining some speed, wheeling your front tire on top of the obstacle, and then shifting your weight forward to bring the back wheel on top of the obstacle.

Tips & Warnings

• It's easier to pop a wheelie if you grip the handlebars instead of the handlebar ends.
• Biking is a physically demanding sport that could result in serious injury. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

Who Can Help:

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[motocollin]

on 11/6/2007 it took me about 4 years riding at least once a week and practicing wheelies but now i can do them as far as i want and yea seat higher = better but once you get better you can move it down. also learn how to use brake control its hard to get it but once you do it helps tremendously . dont get dicouraged its not something that happens overnight. once you can do it it turns heads all the time

on 8/8/2006 The higher the seat is, the easier it is to pedal and find your up/down balance. The lower the seat is, the easier it is to find your left/right balance.

on 11/22/2005 Doing a wheelie is not as difficult as it seems. Keep practicing. The higher the seat is, the better and the higher the handlebar is, the better.

on 11/22/2005 Dont' put your seat down. Put it all the way up. The higher it is, the less the front has to come up. When changing gears, remember that you are now on a higher gear ratio and you have to pedal less to keep up your speed.

on 11/22/2005 I have quite a few tips for riding a wheelie. Make your bicycle fit you comfortably (height of bars, seat, even the right amount of air in the tires). Make sure you have smooth running tires (not bent) and keep them lubed. Since I concentrated on this aspect, it's made a huge difference in my riding. I can now ride with one hand after popping it up.