Do a Wheelie on a Bicycle
A "wheelie" is a maneuver performed by pedaling a bicycle while balanced on either the rear or front wheel. This sounds complicated and can be quite difficult to master. This guide illustrates some basic steps necessary to perform a wheelie.
Steps
- Find a gear that can comfortably and quickly accelerate the bike from a walking or jogging pace.
- Pedal and pull back on your handlebars simultaneously.
- Keep pedaling aggressively and smoothly, leaning back with your arms fully extended.
- Accelerate quicker if you find yourself having difficulties getting your front wheel off the ground
- Pedal more slowly if you are tending to fall backward.
Tips
- The slower you start, the easier it is to get up into the wheelie.
- Try using a low gear to begin with: this will allow you to go slower, which makes it easier to get your front wheel off the ground.
- Try not to adjust too many variables while learning to wheelie; making even minor changes to your bike set-up could throw off your sense of balance.
- Find your Balance point. This is a point at which the bicycle is perfectly balanced between being high and low, a car being driven on two wheels is also on its balance point. Getting on the balance point in a stable way is done by correctly coordinating pulling back on the bars, leaning back and half pedal kicking.
Warnings
- Make sure your brakes are well-adjusted.
- Practice in an open, unpopulated area to avoid injury to yourself and others.
- Wear a helmet and preferably protective clothing. Gloves are optional, but learning to wheelie can put strain on your hand and cause blisters.
- Check that your bike is in good shape before each practice session (i.e. wheels, bolts, handlebars, and seat post are firmly attached).
Things You'll Need
- Bicycle
- A helmet
- Gloves(optional)
- Elbow and knee pads (optional)
- Patience
Related Articles
Sources and Citations
- Also visit this site for further details on other tricks:
- http://www.cobr.co.uk/e-cobr_information/n_and_l_cyclists_section/sections/cycle_tricks/wheelie/text.shtml
