eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Do a Wheelie Drop on a Mountain Bike

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer

A wheelie drop on a mountain bike is a basic skill that you'll need to navigate through challenging terrain. By pulling the handlebars of your mountain bike upward as you leave the ground, you will be able to land on your rear wheel first, allowing you to jump over obstacles and land safely after drops of several feet.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Helmet
  • Knee pads
  • Elbow pads
  • Gloves
  • Goggles
  1. Step 1

    Wear protective gear before you attempt to do a wheelie drop on your mountain bike, including a helmet, elbow and knee pads, gloves and goggles. While it is important to wear this equipment whenever you ride your mountain bike, it is particularly vital whenever you attempt a new trick for the first time.

  2. Step 2

    Do a wheelie drop on your mountain bike by allowing your rear wheel to creep up on the obstacle, whether it is a rock or the edge of an incline. Lean slightly back in your saddle, allowing your weight to shift over the rear wheel of your mountain bike. Position your pedals so that you can get one more stroke of power before you catch air, if needed.

  3. Step 3

    Pull up on the handlebars after your rear wheel crosses the obstacle, with your strength correlating to the rate of speed at which you are traveling. For instance, if you are approaching the obstacle at full speed, you should pull the handlebars up slightly so that the front wheel just clears the ground. If you are traveling slowly, you might want to exert more muscle to get the front wheel on top of the obstacle.

  4. Step 4

    Use the pedals to get a strong forward stroke in the motion of your mountain bike. Avoid pulling the handlebars in a jerky motion, which may cause you to lose balance while your bike is airborne. Just practice a smooth yet powerful motion when you lift up the front of your bike, which will cause the rear wheel to lower naturally while you are catching air.

  5. Step 5

    Allow the bike to land on the rear wheel first, and then the front wheel. Keep your knees and elbows bent slightly so that they can help absorb most of the shock when you land. Let the bike regain balance before you attempt to use the brakes, or you might flip right over the handlebars when you land.

Tips & Warnings
  • Do a wheelie drop over small ledges at first, slowly building the confidence and skill you need to attempt larger and more dangerous maneuvers.
  • Watch a video tutorial on YouTube to see a visual demonstration of a wheelie drop (see Resources below).
Subscribe

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Related Ads

  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This
Get Free Sports & Fitness Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.

eHow Sports and Fitness
eHow_eHow Sports and Fitness