Bicycle wheelies?

ultrarunner · Jul 28, 2024

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

Fixastuff · Jul 28, 2024

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 · Jul 28, 2024

Jstpssng said:
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 · Jul 28, 2024

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 · Jul 28, 2024

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 · Jul 28, 2024

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 · Jul 28, 2024

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…