Q&A for How to Wheelie on a Mountain Bike

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Question

What if my bike has no suspension?

Mark Cortez

Community Answer

Well, it all depends on how you manage your weight. In my opinion, I actually think bikes without suspension (or bikes with only front suspensions) are easier to use for wheelies.

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Question

How do I do it on a much heavier mountain bike?

Matt Gander

Community Answer

Low gear, lean back, start slow, pedal really hard.

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Question

What if I'm overweight?

Community Answer

Check your bike's weight limit, but otherwise, just keep riding, it's a great way to lose weight. You may not be able to do a wheelie right away, but if you keep riding and practicing, you'll get there.

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Question

Can I do the manual wheelie while pedaling?

Community Answer

No. Not pedaling is what differentiates a manual from a wheelie. All you should do with the pedals in a manual is a little pedal kick to keep the front wheel up.

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Question

What if the bike is too heavy?

Community Answer

It will be harder, but keep trying, you'll get it eventually.

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Question

I can't lift up the front wheel, any tips?

Community Answer

If you have a full suspension, try locking it out, then lock your knees a little, push down on the fork to make it rebound, and lean back to make it spring back. Make sure your hand is on the rear brake so you don't go backwards.

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Question

What are the best number gears to do this in?

Community Answer

It depends on where and how you are trying to do it. Each situation will require a different gear to complete a wheelie safely.

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Question

What if it's not a mountain bike?

Community Answer

You should be careful if it is not a mountain bike, as it may not be able to support a wheelie.

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Question

Can I do a wheelie if I'm not sitting on the bike?

Community Answer

You can, but it can be very dangerous so therefore it is not recommended to do it if you are not sitting on the bike.

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Question

What will happen if I can't keep pedaling?

Community Answer

You could do a manual wheelie, but I don’t think you would be able to wheelie a bike if you don’t pedal.

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Question

How do I lock out my suspension?

Community Answer

Aggressively put your weight on the front wheel to push your suspension down to the farthest it can go.

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Question

How do I do a wheelie and manual on a mountain bike if I'm overweight?

Community Answer

Turn your suspension all the way on, and have your weight pushing all the way forward on the suspension, then lift back hands and arms (but keep them straight and don't bring the bike to you. Lean back, then carry on pedaling and when you feel like your going to tip back, feather your back break slightly.

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Question

What do I do if I want to do a wheelie on a mountain bike but I can't lift the front wheel?

Community Answer

Go slowly with a high seat and as you push down on the pedals, it should be easy to bring up the bars. It might take a little bit of practice to perfect this. That's good for starting and once you can do that, try using a low seat with a higher gear.

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Question

How do I find the pivot point on my mountain bike?

Community Answer

On the side of the bike opposite your drivetrain, look at the spot where the rear triangle connects to the front triangle. There may also be a pivot point on the very back of the rear triangle.

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Question

What do I do if my mountain bike won't go up?

Community Answer

Lean forward and try to put as much weight on the fork as possible. Then lean back while pedaling as hard as you can.

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Question

Should I put the seat further down or up on a heavy bike?

Community Answer

Place your seat lower no matter how heavy the bike is because you need to be able to lean back over your wheel.

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