Can anybody help me overcome this problem. If you know a technique or bike set up to achieve it I would really appreciate it.
2007-07-19 20:59:55 · 13 answers · asked by powerball 3 in Sports ➔ Cycling
As mentioned above, use a low(ish) gear to allow you to put plenty of power down quickly to get your wheel off the floor.
Aslo try it going up a gentle slope as your weight will be acting more toward the back of the bike than the front..
2007-07-20 05:19:20 · answer #1 · answered by R Stoofaloh 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pulling a wheelie is achievable on any bike because of the position of the rider in relationship to the centre of gravity. The possible reasons for not being able to pull one are a lack of balance, strength or power through the pedals. If you have no problem raising the front wheel from the floor by simply pulling it upwards with your arms then strength isnt the issue. Next try riding a slowly as possible without pedalling until the bike is just about stationary. How long can you keep balance for? if its 3-5 seconds or more your balance is fine. If these all check out the problem is most likely your pedals. Stock pedals which often come in plastic have a tendency to flex taking power out of your driving motion. On my mountain bike I could never understand why I couldn't get the front wheel to stay off the ground. Then I bought some aluminium spiked pedals and the power to the back wheel was multiplied tenfold. Try these methods and let me know how you get on.
2007-07-20 04:33:46 · answer #2 · answered by Adam F 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's hard to say, not knowing what type of bike you are trying to wheelie. For instance, it would be highly impossible to wheelie a tandem or recumbent.
What you wouldn't know is that good mountain bikes, very good ones are quite difficult to be able to ride a wheelie. A good mountain bike will have a low center of gravity so that it will climb without flipping over backwards, and go downhill without throwing you over the handle bars.
A dual suspension bike wouldn't wheelie well either. If you managed to lift the front tire, the rear suspension would compress absorbing the energy.
Maybe the bike you have just isn't cut out for it.
2007-07-20 08:52:37 · answer #3 · answered by wise1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your bike has gears, then stick to a lowish one, but not the lowest. I tend to be on the granny ring (number one up front) and around the middle on the back. Get moving nice and slow, turning the pedals slowly until you're ready to do it, then get out the saddle, lean back, and pull the handlebars up as you put pressure on your pedals, and start to pedal as quick as you can to maintain forward momentum - keeping power to the back wheel is probably the most important factor of a wheelie.
After that its a case of finding the sweet spot where you can maintain balance and keep going. It'll work on your upper body muscles a lot, which is also good ;)
It will work best if you're leaning backwards, put your bum over the back wheel and use your legs and arms to keep the bike up.
2007-07-20 05:35:49 · answer #4 · answered by ashypoo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is mostly the weight and design of your bike that is preventing you from doing a wheelie. I suggest either getting a new bike. Or going in an open area, ride for a few moments, then pop your bike up. The speed should lift your bike. If not you should buy a better bike suited for wheelies.
2007-07-20 04:08:18 · answer #5 · answered by . 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
pedal slowly, find a medium low gear, low enough to pedal easily, high enough to have pressure on the pedals. stand up, lean your weight back over the back wheel. pull up on the handle bars and pedal harder simultaneously.
as mentioned, almost any bike can be made to wheelie (recumbents, tandems and chopper bikes being the exceptions) with nearly any rider if you master basic technique.
2007-07-20 07:12:28 · answer #6 · answered by hello 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Which type of bike do you have? I hope you're not trying that on a roadie ;)
Full suspensions are harder to wheelie than hardtails (but not impossible). Go slow, and try to peddal hard when you pull on the bars. You could try a shorter stem, but doing that could affect your fit.
2007-07-20 08:11:05 · answer #7 · answered by Roberto 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not that hard, just pull up the front bars, but not too hard or you'll fall off. Try wearing a helmet, at least when you're training to do a wheelie. Good luck :)
2007-07-20 04:08:27 · answer #8 · answered by cottonblosssom 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
just keep practicing. slowly learn to lift the front wheel while ur riding but dont jerk it off the ground or u will fall. its ALOT easier on a trick bike since it has pegs. it took me about a week 2 learn but it took all my friends at least a couple months so take ur time dude
2007-07-20 04:04:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
to do good wheelies go slower pull up and try doing a wheelie and when pulling up pedal harder and faster
hope this helps
2007-07-20 09:29:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋