How To Wheelie Like A Pro | How To Bike Season 2 Episode 6

The key to learning how to wheelie is practice and commitment, but there are a few tips and tricks to help make your practice more effective. In this episode of How to Bike, Ben Cathro walks us through learning how to wheelie a bicycle.

More Pinkbike videos:

Ben Cathro's Practical Guide to Learning New Mountain Bike Skills | How To Bike Season 2 Ep 1

Pro MTB Suspension Setup (Bracketing Properly) | How To Bike Season 2 Episode 2

How To Stop Riding Into Stuff | How To Bike Season 2 Episode 3

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[HUKIT.]

Ah Ben, the super tall, extremely funny, and talented friend we wish we all had.

[doug]

If anyone is interested another tip I've learned is pay attention to where your eyes are focusing. I find that keeping my eyes up looking down the trail helps. Try not to look at your front tire, or the ground directly in front/side of your tire while on a wheelie!

[norangeflame]

One and a half years of wheelies and I can now turn, swerve and do one-handed on my dual sus. Also, when your front wheel is spinning fast its a bit easier to balance due to gyroscopic forces - the force of the spinning wheel can help tilt your bike and give you more side balance/control. And guys - PRACTICE. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Only then will you see the results you want.

[ryanbuchan]

I can really easily wheelie for miles because I also ride my mtb to work almost every day and practicing for 30 minutes a day on the way to/from helps without having to find time to practice.
I also prefer with my saddle lower as I find it easier to adjust my balance.

[josechavez]

I been practicing somewhat steady since beginning of feb with a three week gap, and I’m definitely starting to see results 😊. Getting comfortable with the wheel up and can hold them for a few parking spots. Just working on muscle memory for light braking.🤘trying to go in order of wheelie, manically, bunny hop😊

[safetythird]

Thanks Ben. First session- went from 1cm bounce from the front suspension
To
Holy Crap I just flew off the back!!
Everything suddenly happened perfectly (just that once) and wow 🤩. I’ll be wheelie-ing everywhere by the end of the summer 🚵🏼‍♀️🤘

[tomc]

I'm 40 in a few months, just bought my first full sus mtb, and I'm heading to the park later to do some practice!

[stormstaticisme]

I used to practice with the rear shock locked out but I realised its much easier to keep the balance point with the suspension left open. 🤗

[SourPatchPuss]

This is one of those skills that you’re just never gonna get without putting in an immense amount of time. He was right when he said they could have just ended the video after that because that’s the most important part. Keep trying until it becomes second nature.

[Thebowber]

We used to practice on the way home from school, we were all reasonably good, then came motorbikes and racing in various off road sports and I never bothered wheelies, other than getting over obstacles, now I'm back on an mtb (50+) and I can't get it up (THE FRONT WHEEL ;-)) to many years of keeping the wheels on the ground.

[theandycam]

I find every video I've watched has taught me something new but this one explained it the best, thank you. It's about muscle momory, especially the braking part, which is something I've never done. Will practice that more. PS - I'm busy learning how to wheelie on my DH rig as it's the only bike I have - not the easiest to learn on but I'm getting there. Can do a couple pedal strokes already(wish the seat pole was a bit longer) - I'm 49 and learning how to wheelie, finally, stoked💪🤙

[oliverbourne]

Always the best. Who else is gutted Ben is now a deserved superstar and has stopped his 1:1 riding school so you can't book in with him anymore

[jokermtb]

Made 2022 the year I really learn to wheelie…just getting able to keep it going for a bit. Night and day improvement with practicing constantly (others may find it onerous on occasion)

[insertgenericnamehere]

I removed the fear.

I felt confident and tried to wheelie on the trail.. It did not go well, and that's how last years bikeseason ended for me 🤣

[lalligood]

I don't recall coming across Ben's 4th point of intentionally grabbing the back brake to get used to catch yourself from looping out. That's one of those counterintuitive ideas that only makes sense after learning about it.

Terrible weather outside where I am today, but I'm going to work on my wheelies later this week!

[hobokenarts]

I would just add when starting out use some sort of back protection like a backpack in case you do fall backwards!

[MrWhitmen]

I enjoy this guys videos. 160kg rider that’s 195cm tall. So I’m giving it a shot.

[MrTaduerr]

Great advice and fantastic breakdown - Thanks!

[BitsOfEternity]

Love seeing this in steps, and understanding how to practice each step to build muscle memory and remove the fear. When the weather allows, I'll watch it again, if I need to, and I'll get out there and work on this until I get it!

[IeatRatsForBreakfast]

This actually helped me a lot and I did learn from it thanks😀