There’s two stages in anybody’s bike education. The first, and most important of course is to master the art of riding on two wheels with no visible means of support. Not always as easy as it seems it must be said.
The second, which usually follows close on the first, is how to pull wheelies.
This is an ambition I think all of us have, and have had since the age of six or so. It just looks so cool after all but many of us rarely progress beyond the ambition stage. I can just about get the front wheel up but can’t in any truthfullness reliably maintain a wheelie for any length of time. With clipless pedals I prefer not to try for fear of not being able to unclip.
Maybe, what I need is the wheelie bar, discovered on the PeoplesBike website and shown here assisting a rider pull a wheelie (without him managing look cool it must be said). With a bit of quiet practice (and some flat pedals) maybe one day I too could impress my peers with some rad skillz.
It’s not too late, surely!!
tony says:
Do they do one in pink for you Matt?
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Posted on May 11, 2010 at 1:50 pm
James says:
Not so sure this is actually an aid, could be a hindrance in my opinion.
Wheelies are all in the back brake, along with some good balance and endless practice.
I once went to a wheelie school for motorbikes where they used a bar at the back so when the back was miles past the balance point, think nearly bolt upright, the bar struck the ground deposited the motorbike back down (hard) and took your nuts out in the process on the fuel tank – the latter part was good motivation for cracking the art of wheelies.
Motorbike wheelie schools favour cut out switches (for the throttle) bars on the back, for cycling don’t think anything like this is needed, just a decent back brake to stop the bike doing a full loop.
Look at youtube Jarextreme – best wheelie person I’ve found in there.
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Posted on May 13, 2010 at 5:43 pm
ric newton says:
Hi how would I get hold of a modon day wheelie bar? Do you have any more info on this item please.
Any idea on costings please
Thanks Ric
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Posted on July 27, 2010 at 11:41 pm
DandyC says:
Hi Ric – I guess from your website that you’re talking about motorcycle wheelie bars here.
A quick google of ‘wheelie bars for motorcycles’ brings up articles on how to make your own or bars for drag racing Harleys. Looks like you might have to go the ‘make your own’ route for whatever bikes you run. Hope this helps.
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Posted on July 28, 2010 at 1:36 pm