When buying a bike for wheelies, you aren’t looking for your typical cruiser. You want something that delivers power, efficiency, and allows you to easily perform wheelies and other tricks, once you get the hang of riding.
The best bicycle for wheelies might not be the same for every biker out there. However, there are some common features you’ll have to look for when selecting your bike.
In this article, we’ll cover a few of the best bicycle for wheelies available as well as some of the characteristics you’ll want to look for in your new bike. Let’s see what the top bikes are for wheelie enthusiasts today.
Best Bikes for wheelies 2020
1. Redline Bikes MX 20-inch Cruiser BMX
The Redline bike is responsive allowing you to turn on a dime when performing wheelies. Its lightweight frame is made of aluminum. This design is efficient for spinning, turning, and makes lifting off your back wheel much easier than a bike with heavier frames. The 24-inch wheels are the perfect height for liftoff and the thick 1/75-inch width helps you maintain your balance when popping wheelies.
Key Features
- The bike is lightweight and responsive to quick movements/lifting
- It’s highly maneuverable making it easy to turn and guide the wheels on varying surfaces
- It features a Chromoly steel fork; it’s durable and can withstand heavy weight loads
- The weight distribution is fairly even throughout, so you have complete control when riding and lifting off to perform tricks
Pros and Cons
Some key selling points include the bike’s affordability. It’s fairly priced in a competitive marketplace.
The aluminum frame is sturdy and light. This makes it easy to learn how to balance and control your weight when performing wheelies.
The suspension helps reduce impact when your front wheel touches the ground.
This bike can also handle rough terrains or smooth surfaces. So, regardless of where you ride, you can practice your favorite tricks.
How about the cons?
Like the other bikes on this list, it’s only partially assembled. You’ll have to put the seat and a few other pieces together before use.
The bike is also a little heavier than the Schwinn and Mongoose. Although the weight distribution is evenly distributed, you will have to put more force into it when lifting off the back wheel to perform a wheelie.
It might take some time for riders to get used to if they’re new to trick riding
2. Schwinn Bonafide Mountain Bike (w/Front Suspension)
This mountain bike features a 17-inch aluminum frame. The 24-speed Shimano drivetrain affords bikers complete control when performing a wheelie. It also features large, 29-inch wheels as well as mechanical disc brakes. Because the bike is made of aluminum it’s light, allowing bikers to efficiently lift the front wheel. Furthermore, the mechanical brakes are excellent to help you stop while performing wheelies. If you aren’t an expert just yet, you can engage the mechanical brakes to help you prevent a tumble.
Key Features
- It features a powerful Schwinn suspension fork. This fork allows the bike to absorb the impact, so you won’t feel it upon landing
- It features EZ-fire triggers for shifting gears. With 24 speed gears, you can rev up the bike to lift the front wheel and perform wheelies efficiently.
- This bike has double-wall alloy wheels. The durable wheels can withstand more weight on the rear wheel when lifting the front wheel to perform tricks.
- The tires are 2.25” in width affording bikers even more stability to stand up and spin on the rear wheel
Pros and Cons
There are several great features for wheelie-enthusiasts to appreciate as the section above indicates. Some of the primary selling points/pros for this bike include:
It provides bikers powerful features when turning on a dime and performing wheelies.
The suspension fork guides you in the right direction when spinning/lifting wheels of the ground.The large 29-inch wheels are dynamic for riders of all heights/weight.
Some cons buyers should consider include:
The bike isn’t preassembled.
Aluminum isn’t as durable as titanium or other material finishes.
3. Mongoose Impasse HD Bicycle
A second option to consider for those who want to perform wheelies and tricks on their bike is the Mongoose Impasse. This bike also features a 29-inch mountain frame and an element suspension fork. The fork helps minimize the impact on landing, meaning you won’t feel too much pressure if you miss your landing on a wheelie. It also has 21-speed adjustment settings utilizing the SRAM twist shifter. You can easily rev up the speed to lead in when taking off for a wheelie.
Key Features
- It features rear and front disc brakes for all riding conditions.
- The alloy wheels are light making it easy to lift the front wheel while riding
- The 18-inch frame is suitable for most riders/heights
- The bike is easy to maneuver allowing you to execute a wheelie without having to stop/prepare or adjust the wheels before takeoff
Pros and Cons
What sets this bike apart from others?
Some pros you’ll appreciate include the quality build and frame.
The bike is sturdy and can withstand a few tumbles.
It’s a versatile mountain-bike, so you’re not limited to performing wheelies.
The suspension kit affords bikers smooth landing spots, while the fork reduces the impact on landing.
The primary drawback is the high price tag.
You also have to assemble some parts after ordering the bike.
The brakes do wear out a little faster than other bikes as well. Especially when performing tricks at high speeds, you need to maintain the brake system accordingly to prevent overuse.
The Bicycle Buyer’s Guide: What to Look for in
Your Wheelie Bike
Photo by Mohamed Nohassi on Unsplash
Okay, now that we’ve covered a few of the best bicycles for wheelies, what should you look for when choosing a bicycle for performing this, and other tricks? These are some of the important features to consider.
Gear Shifting Capabilities
When selecting your wheelie bicycle, look for one with a single-handed gear shifter (on the right or left handle), and a bike that doesn’t have gears on the front cranks. You can easily disperse the weight (your body and the bike’s weight) to the middle of the bike. Therefore, you have more control when lifting off making it easier to execute wheelies. With the single-handlebar design, you can also easily modify the gear while you’re in the middle of a wheelie if you have to.
The derailleurs have to be fluid on your bicycle as well. Since they’re what’s moving the chains on your bicycle while shifting gears, they can’t get jammed mid-wheelie, otherwise, you don’t have enough power to execute the trick. The bicycle should also be easy to modify the gears to fit your preference. No two bikers are alike, therefore, you’ll want to choose a bicycle which makes it easy to adjust the gears easily while you’re in motion. You need power and precision. When selecting a wheelie bicycle, look for a single-handed gear shifter for the best results and drive.
The Drive Train
The bike’s drive train must be reliable. You’re going to pile on the miles quickly. It might not seem like it since you’re focused on doing tricks. But, building up the speed and practicing wheelies, will result in increased mileage on the drive train as time passes. Therefore, you need a bike that can withstand the pressure and abuse you’ll put it through.
Shimano is one of the most well-known names when it comes to the best drive train systems. And, there’s a reason for this! The high-quality frame and structure will withstand virtually anything you put it through. Additionally, it’s superior to cheaper systems that integrate cheap pieces and crank systems on the bike. You need to select a bike with a drive train that allows you to increase power, quickly. Furthermore, the gear shifting capabilities will come into play with your drive train. So, make sure you choose something that allows you to easily transition speeds, so you can add more power when you need to pop up off the back wheel.
Tires
Mountain bikes usually come with hybrid or off-road tires. This is what you should look for when choosing your wheelie bicycle. The tires need to be sturdy enough to dig into rugged terrains. All-terrain tires are also ideal for all season and all-weather riding. You don’t have to worry about sliding or slipping in the mud, rainy, or other wet conditions while riding. You want to maintain full control of your bicycle when executing a wheelie. Therefore, the tires have to be stable, must dig deep into the terrain you’re riding on, and should afford you optimal control when you lift off the back tire. The best pattern for your tires is a smooth, flat surface. The tread pattern increases grip and it makes it easier for you to maintain control of your bicycle, no matter what speeds you hit when popping a wheelie. Smooth, efficient, all-terrain tires are your best bet when choosing your wheelie bicycle.
Brake Quality (Particularly the Rear Brake)
Remember, when performing wheelies, you’re doing most of the work on the rear tire/wheel of your bicycle. The wheelie bike also needs an excellent rear braking mechanism. You’re going to use the rear brakes more than you would use for any other style of riding. Therefore, you need a bicycle that can handle the amount of pressure you’re going to place on those brakes as time passes. A disc brake is the best option. It’s the most powerful hydraulic system you can find for your wheelie bicycle.
Your brakes must be able to deliver powerful stopping quality when you’re riding at faster speeds. Since you’re going to increase speeds to perform the wheelie, your brakes need to have enough grip to help prevent you from flying overboard when you lift off the back tire.
You need to avoid downhill brakes. These provide too much power and are stronger on contact than disc brakes. This makes it more difficult for you to control your stop and regulate the amount of power you’ll need when braking to perform wheelies. Braking systems should be simple to modulate and control. You need the right amount of pressure at the right moment when performing bicycle tricks, which high-quality disc brakes will deliver.
Frame Support Bar (Optional)
Your wheelie bicycle should have a frame support bar on the rear triangle (this is on the side of the disc brake of your bicycle). When you have to put one or both of your feet on the frame, this will provide you better balance and control. This rear support triangle is an optional feature to look for when selecting your wheelie bicycle. However, without this support, it is difficult for you to stand on the bars or perform combo tricks. The support bar should also be somewhat distanced from the brakes. It should provide enough clearance space so you don’t interfere with braking while standing on the triangular support bar.
Lastly, the price is something most people are going to consider when choosing the bicycle as well. You shouldn’t allow the price to be the factor which leads to your final decision. Especially if the most expensive bike is the best option available. However, when comparing the best bicycle for wheelies, if the bikes you’ve narrowed down are comparable, then price can play a role in your decision-making.
Which Bike is Right for you?
As you can see, it’s not a “one size fits all purchase” when you’re choosing the best bicycle for wheelies. You have several options and many factors to consider when you’re deciding on the right bike. Brand-name reputation is always a key selling point if you’re stuck between a few different options and don’t know what to choose. If you’re ready to invest in a new wheelie bike, consider a few of these great options when you’re narrowing down the list and are ready to select one to invest in.