How To Wheelie On A Mountain Bike

The wheelie is one of the most iconic bike skills. While it looks cool and is always impressive, it's also incredibly useful for tackling steep obstacles and rough sections of climbs. Mastering the wheelie takes balance, control, and a little bit of patience. We’ve broken it down into a few simple steps.

Finding Your Setup

• Start in a seated position with a fairly low gear.

• The slower you go, the easier it will be to get the front wheel up—your torque will help lift the front end.

• Keep your chest low and wait until your preferred lead foot reaches the top of the pedal stroke.

Lifting the Front Wheel

• As your lead foot begins its downward stroke, apply strong pedal power.

• At the same time, lean back and extend your arms, allowing the front wheel to lift off the ground.

Balancing and Controlling the Wheelie

• Stay seated and use your rear brake to control your balance. If you feel yourself going too far back, lightly tap the brake to bring the front wheel down.

• Keep the pedals moving and get comfortable using a combination of braking and pedaling to maintain balance.

• Your upper body should remain neutral and leaned back, while your knees help counterbalance.