How To Stoppie

This section of our newsletter is written by MTB education app Mastery, founded by Justin Rausch (@OneMTB) where we bring you the advice of pro riders to sharpen your skills out there.

A stoppie, or endo, is a fun parking lot trick that involves lifting your rear wheel while balancing on the front. While it may seem intimidating at first, with proper technique and control, you can master it safely. Let’s break it down step by step.

Lifting the Back Wheel

• Start rolling at a moderate speed with your weight centered over the bike.

• Use a smooth and controlled pull on the front brake—don't slam it, or you'll risk going over the bars.

• As you slow down, shift your weight slightly forward to help lift the rear wheel.

• Keep your front wheel locked and let your back wheel rise naturally.

• If the rise feels too fast, lean back slightly to counterbalance.

Controlling the Stoppie

• As your balance improves, you'll reach the sweet spot where you can hold the stoppie for longer.

• Be cautious of going too high—if you pass the balance point, you’ll risk going over the bars.

• Two ways to prevent this:

  • Counterbalance by shifting your weight backward.

  • Brake Release—slowly and smoothly release the front brake to bring the rear wheel back down.

• Avoid slamming the back wheel down by releasing the brake gradually while shifting your weight.

Taking It to the Next Level

Once you have stoppies dialed in, you can start experimenting with different variations:

• Stoppie Turns – Initiate a stoppie and shift your weight to one side to swing the back wheel around, helping with tight switchbacks.

• No-Footer Stoppie – Ride the stoppie until your seat touches your butt, then kick your feet off the pedals before bringing them back down.

Rolling Stoppie – Instead of stopping completely, try maintaining your momentum while holding the stoppie (this one's tough!).

With Mastery, you can learn MTB skills fast. Several incredible courses are launching in April from top pros so If you haven’t yet, be sure to join the app’s waitlist.