Bicycle wheelies?

[Jstpssng]

This spring I was sitting on a bench waiting for a friend when a little slip of a girl pedaled past, with the front tire about 4 feet in the air. She said "hi" as she rode by and I watched, amazed, as she turned a 90 degree corner and disappeared behind a building with the front tire still in the air. Don't ask me how she made the corner.
Today I was in town on a 5 lane road and watched several kids on the other side of the road as they all lifted their front tires and started pedaling down the road.
In traffic.

Is this a new fad? We used to be able to pull a wheelie and go a short distance, but these kids made it look easy. Is there a special kind of bike they use, or are they just more talented than I was?

 

[Yander]

I didn't have a bike like this when I was a kid. I could ride a wheelie for a while but not like this. I'm guessing bike and practice combined.

 

[square1]

Had a buddy (in the mid 1970s) that could ride a wheelie forever on any bicycle, even mine, on which I wasn't able to keep the front wheel up for any distance at all. I'd suggest it's not the bike, it's the rider. Like any skill, some have a predisposition, others work hard to attain results, once it clicks, it clicks.

 

[sandman2234]

Between 5th and 6th grade, I went to summer school and took metal shop classes. I built a 6ft sissy bar for my Huffy bicycle (6'10" from ground). With that extra ballast I could keep the front end in the air for about as long as i wanted. It has a lot to do with the bike, but even more so with the rider. My brother couldn't keep his or mine up more than a few yards without the front end coming down.
David from jax

 

[Jstpssng]

Between 5th and 6th grade, I went to summer school and took metal shop classes. I built a 6ft sissy bar for my Huffy bicycle (6'10" from ground). With that extra ballast I could keep the front end in the air for about as long as i wanted. It has a lot to do with the bike, but even more so with the rider. My brother couldn't keep his or mine up more than a few yards without the front end coming down.
David from jax

It was rather impressive watching 4 kids ride their bikes on the rear wheels. Also a bit dangerous considering they were riding in traffic.
The kid making a 90 degree turn on the hind wheel was amazing.

 

[ultrarunner]

Yes… every weekend hundreds take over the state highway running through the commercial district not stopping for traffic lights.

It’s part of the critical mass thing started as a bike protest in San Francisco.

 

[Rockbadchild]

That's impressive... There was a guy in my home town that had a old beat up mountain bike and he could wheelie that thing all day long and he did. Some have it some don't, I was never great at it. Some can hold that balance without having to go forward.

 

[Fixastuff]

If you think wheelies are impressive you mind will be blown when you watch someone do a long manual.

 

[ultrarunner]

No law enforcement or traffic control on ride outs…

Also same for motorcycles licensed and not…

 

[ultrarunner]

The bikes are a spin off of ride outs…

 

[ultrarunner]

All part of the sideshow, ride out including all
Manor of wheels…

 

[Fixastuff]

What’s weird but true; is ride one wheel on a bicycle and it’s cool but hop on a unicycle and you’re a dweeb. lol.

If I’ve offended dweebs or unicyclists, I am ok with that.

 

[CalG]

This spring I was sitting on a bench waiting for a friend when a little slip of a girl pedaled past, with the front tire about 4 feet in the air. She said "hi" as she rode by and I watched, amazed, as she turned a 90 degree corner and disappeared behind a building with the front tire still in the air. Don't ask me how she made the corner.
Today I was in town on a 5 lane road and watched several kids on the other side of the road as they all lifted their front tires and started pedaling down the road.
In traffic.

Is this a new fad? We used to be able to pull a wheelie and go a short distance, but these kids made it look easy. Is there a special kind of bike they use, or are they just more talented than I was?

When I was young....

Bicycle or motor cycle, I could hold a wheelie until the road ran out.
One time I rode the back wheel around the fairgrounds 1/2 mile dirt oval TWICE.
It takes practice, then gets boring.
Now I can't get my socks on without sitting down.

I'm trying to learn how to bunny hop my mountain bicycle. but just can't find the timing. ;-)

 

[Spanky100]

Years ago one summer evening I was on I-270 Beltway around Columbus Ohio in my pickup when 3 motorcyclist pass me by at an estimated speed of 80+ MPH. Each of the 3 bikers with the front wheel up (wheelie). They continued with the front wheel up until I could not longer see them. I was impressed but wondering if they ever had mishaps.

I ride Bicycles and Motorcycles and have only done brief wheelies on both. It must take a lot of practice combined with some ability/skill to do this for long distances. I suspect some mishaps ocurr during the learning process.

On my Buell XB9S (with massive 6 piston front brake caliper) Motorcycle I have also done Stoppies where the rear wheel is lifted up from the pavement briefly through a brief heavy/abrupt front brake application then reducing/modulating front braking . It is impressive riding on the front wheel but only for a short distance as the powered rear wheel is off the ground.

The difference between men/women and boys/girls is the price of their toys.

 

[masseyrider]

I used to be able to ride a wheelie as long as I wanted.
But what i did the most was ride with no hands.
I'd come home with a couple grocery bags in my arms.
Now, like someone here said, putting on socks is a sit down job.

 

[Fixastuff]

A little advice for someone who wants to start wheeling. Practicing modulating the rear brake and wheeling slow is much better than using pedal power to keep it up. You can only accelerate for so long and the brake helps you find the balance point.

 

[ultrarunner]

The craziest bike thing I have ever seen was driving 580 one afternoon and a motorcycle slowly passes me with the rider standing up with feet on the seat with arms outstretched…

He continued on to the interchange and hopped down onto the seat, popped a wheelie and sped off…

 

[ultrarunner]

 

[ultrarunner]

 

[2manyrocks]

Have also seen motorcycle riders pop 80 mph wheelies on the interstate.

I don't suppose HIPPA allows ER docs to post videos on youtube?