wheelies??

[mtbchick]

hi everyone, tonya from mtbchick.com here just wanting to make sure everyone has a safe and successful wheelie experience!

1- in order to keep from falling backwards, do not pull back on your handlebars
2- in order to keep from falling backwards tip #2- your rear brake will drop your front wheel, so... if you feel you are going too far back, just tap your rear brake
3- absolutely NO upper body strength is required to ride a wheelie
4- you are simply diverting energy, instead of the bike moving forward alone, you are diverting the energy up.
5- try to ride in an easy gear from a very slow pace to start
6- a wheelie can be ridden on any type of bike, it does not require a nice bike. you can even ride a wheelie on a road bike!
7- you can do it!!!!!

[Geonz]

Yea, right, try a wheelie on an Xtracycle

[siume99]

I've found that sometimes the mind is the only thing holding you back. It's natural for the mind to think, "don't fall off." With that warning in place, the body gets apprehensive. It won't want to find that neutral balance point.

Try intentionally "wheely-ing" too far so you dismount off the back of the bike. Bike to a flat grassy area with your helmet. Moist ground is softer yet. If you have clipless pedals, don't wear your clipless shoes. You don't want to be hindered. You can even keep one foot off the pedals all together. Find an easy gear (not necessarily the easiest), and drive the pedal down while extending your arms and leaning back. Your free foot will catch you. If you did this correctly, you are now standing with your bike on its rear wheel. If not, hopefully you picked soft ground.

Once you get accustomed to going too far, combine the previous posts (squishing the front tire, etc...) and continue practicing.

BTW You want to practice with at least one finger hovering over your rear brake. If you unexpectedly go too far, touch your brake and your front wheel wheel will come back down. In the past, I've received weird looks from people. It's not every day they see a biker on his back with the bike in the air.

[KnottedYet]

Yea, right, try a wheelie on an Xtracycle

Knot *WANTS* an Xtracycle! Costco runs by bike! Able to carry full-sized bag of dog food! (someday, when I win the lottery)

No wheelies, but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make!

[Kitsune06]

yah I want an xtracycle, too. =P
I can't wheelie. I try. I compress shocks, throw weight up and back while pedaling forward- nothing. I do it hard enough and I get a buzz on the bum from the fsking rear tire. Still nothing. ARGH.