How To Do Wheelies On A Bicycle

Everybody loves a relaxing bike ride while others enjoy more of a thrill on their bike, and this is why you should learn how to do wheelies on a bicycle.

It can be overwhelming when you just get started, especially because it can be dangerous if precautions aren’t taken. However, practice makes perfect and this same principle applies to doing wheelies on a bicycle too.

Before beginning, you need the proper equipment. You should begin by adjusting the seat, putting the bike in low gear, and inflating the tires. Once you get on the bike, you need to apply pressure on the bottom pedal, lean back, and lift the front wheel. This requires balance and practice to do.

Wheelies are a common move in BMX bike riding. It is a maneuver where the rider jumps on the front wheel of the bike and does a flip or backflip with their feet off the ground. In this guide, we will teach you how to do wheelies on a bicycle while providing you with valuable information to accomplish this safely.

Wheelies are a fun and easy trick to learn. The first time you try it, you might feel like you're going to fall over, but don't worry you'll get the hang of it soon enough. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to be successful in your wheelie attempts.

‍How To Do Wheelies On A Bicycle

A wheelie is a bicycle maneuver in which the rider leans back, balancing on the rear wheel while moving forward. To perform a wheelie, the rider leans back on the bike and can lift the front of the bike off the ground.

You need to find a good spot where there's no risk of falling or getting hit by cars or other bicycles. You also need to have enough space for your bike and yourself at different heights while being able to see traffic coming from both directions.

It is best to learn how to do them before trying them out for real because it is important to know how much weight you are putting on your wheels and how long you can hold it with your body weight. This will keep you better protected from injury too.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do wheelies on a bicycle effectively. Following these steps will also keep you safer and help you to avoid any potential injury while attempting a wheelie.

1. Get Your Bike Ready

The first thing you should do is get your bike ready. You should make sure that it is in good condition and that the wheels are in good condition as well.

This includes getting enough air in your tires, adjusting gears, and setting the proper seat height. You should also make sure that there are no obstacles around you, and that there is plenty of space for you to do the wheelies.

The best thing to do is switch your bike into low gear. This will allow you to get more balance and bike control when doing the wheelie.

2. Put Your Foot At The Bottom Of The Pedal

Depending on what your strongest foot is, you should align it with the front and bottom pedal of your bike. This will have you in the right position to always have the most control over your bike too.

You should also keep your knees aligned with the pedals during this step. This is a common mistake made by most riders when trying to learn how to do wheelies. It will allow for more balance on the bike too.

3. Lean Back & Lift The Front Wheel

To do wheelies on a bicycle, you need to push your front wheel up and then lean back as if you are doing an ollie. This will put your weight on the front wheel and help you stay balanced while you're doing it.

At this point, you should be balancing on the back wheel. With your right hand, push down on the handlebars so that they are now level with your shoulders. It will be difficult to hold the wheelie at first.

4. Figure Out Your Balancing Ability

Once you get the wheelie off the ground, you need to figure out what your balancing ability is. This is because when you are learning how to ride in this awkward position, it takes a lot of practice and patience to hold your wheelie for an extended distance.

This is why you should determine the farthest angle you can accomplish. Once you master this level, you can try to ride with the bike further off the ground next time. It takes many reps to get it right.

5. Put It All Together

Once you have tried each step, the best thing you can do next is give it a try. You should get on your bike and try to piece together every step to try a wheelie. If you are afraid of falling, try practicing on the grass instead.

It will be harder to ride so more practice is required, but the falls won’t be as harsh. It will also make riding on the pavement much easier once you have mastered the process.

What’s The Best Bicycle Type To Do Wheelies?

When deciding which type of bicycle is best for wheelies, there are three main factors to consider like the weight of the bike, the bike’s frame material, and the bike’s size. There are also specific bike types that work best.

Below we have listed the three best bike types to do wheelies, but the best option ultimately depends on your riding preferences.

Mountain Bikes

A mountain bike is a type of bicycle that is designed to be used off-road, usually on unpaved surfaces. It can be ridden on surfaces such as dirt, sand, loose rock, or snow with ease due to the durable tires and strong frame.

They are generally heavier than road bikes because they are designed to handle the demands of riding off-road. They have wider tires which provide better traction and more stability over rough terrain.

All of these features make them reliable for wheelies because they have a wide design that is easy to balance. They also have longer suspensions to remain durable despite excessive tension of the frame, tires, and chain.

BMX Bikes

A BMX bike is an off-road motocross bicycle with a simplified design, smaller wheels, and a compact frame too. The reason they are great for wheelies is because of this compact design that the larger tires make them easier to balance.

It is also a fixed-gear bicycle with no freewheel mechanism to allow coasting or braking and only one gear. This type of bike is typically used for tricks or riding on dirt tracks and has a low center of gravity due to its smaller size.

Road Bikes

Road bikes are not the most popular option to do wheelies, but it is possible because they are lightweight with low gears. These bikes are also affordable and easy to maintain, but they tend to wear down faster this way.

One of the concerns with road bikes is they tend to have narrow tires, making it hard to hold a wheelie for long. If you were to combine wider tires with your road bike, it could give you better performance and wheelie flexibility.

Are Wheelies Dangerous?

Wheelies can be dangerous because they are difficult to control, especially at high speeds. However, the risk of injury can be mitigated by the fact that most riders wear protective gear such as helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards.

It is never safe for anyone to do a wheelie on their own as it puts them in an unsafe position with no one there to help them if something were to happen. However, with the proper practice and understanding, they can be done safely too.

Will Wheelies Damage Your Bicycle?

Wheelies can cause several issues with your bikes such as uneven tire pressure, poor tire treads, or improper chain tension. It is also important to keep in mind that certain types of wheels cannot handle wheelies at all and they should be avoided too.

However, a majority of the issues only happen when you are doing wheelies the wrong way. This can cause added stress on both your bike tires and bike frame, resulting in the bicycle being out of balance.

Another issue with wheelies is the damage they can cause to your bike fork. Every time you land heavily on the front tire while doing a wheelie, it applies extra pressure on the fork that could cause faster wear on your bike.

Safety Tips To Remember When Doing Wheelies On A Bicycle

When you are riding your bicycle, there are many things that need to be taken into consideration when trying to perform a wheelie. The following safety tips should be followed to ensure you don’t get injured.

You should always wear a helmet whenever you are practicing or learning how to do wheelies on your bike. This is the number one safety tip, and a helmet is recommended every time you get on your bike in general.

You should always avoid busy areas like sidewalks or highly traveled roads to practice too. Instead, try practicing on the grass in your yard first until you have a strong enough grasp over what it takes to accomplish a wheelie safely.

Be cautious when doing wheelies as they can be dangerous if not done properly. You should always make sure that you have enough space around you when doing this stunt and always wear protective gear such as helmets, gloves, and kneepads.