Whether you want to learn your first trick or add another to your arsenal, the wheelie is a classic. Learning how to do a wheelie on a bicycle takes time and practice, but you can be popping wheelies in no time with the right bike. To help you find your best bike for wheelies, we’ve curated our top five picks.
Best Bikes for Wheelies
We’ve assessed each bike’s frame material, suspension, brake system, weight, and wheels to determine which bikes on the market are the best for popping wheelies.
You can also spice up your wheels with bike wheel lights.
1. Schwinn S29 Mens Mountain Bike
Schwinn is one of the most recognizable brands in the bike industry. Schwinn’s bikes are some of the most reliable around, which is especially important when you’re looking for a bike built for wheelies.
The Schwinn Bonafide Mountain Bike is lightweight, durable, and features a sturdy Schwinn-patented suspension fork that absorbs bumps so you can enjoy a smooth ride. The bike’s 24-speed Shimano EZ Fire trigger shifter makes front and rear gear changing smooth and simple, while mechanical disc brakes equipped on both wheels give the bike extra stopping power.
The Schwinn Bonafide’s mountain tires are 2.25-inches wide and capable of tackling any terrain with ease. Its double-wall alloy rims and Schwinn alloy cranks add to the bike’s overall durability, meaning you can expect to spend very little time on maintenance issues.
Pros:
- Lightweight aluminum frame
- Durable double-wall alloy rims
- Easy to maintain
Cons:
- Complicated assembling takes time and strict attention to detail
2. Mongoose Legion Freestyle Sidewalk BMX Bike
As one of the leading brands in BMX, Mongoose’s bikes are some of the most durable out there. The Mongoose Legion Freestyle BMX bike is a great choice for beginners who want to learn how to do a wheelie on a BMX bike and continues to perform excellently for pros.
Mongoose’s Legion Freestyle Sidewalk BMX bike is built with a Chromoly steel frame and handlebar, which are tough enough to handle various tricks. This bike also features lightweight aluminum double-wall rims and removable brake mounts.
Because Mongoose’s bikes are built for BMX performance, learning a trick like a wheelie will be easier and less time-consuming. The Freestyle Sidewalk BMX bike is also an affordable choice for those just starting.
Pros:
- Great for beginners and pros
- Lightweight aluminum double-wall rims
- Removable brake mounts
- 360-degree handlebars
Cons:
- May need to upgrade some parts for better performance
3. Diamondback Bicycles Full Suspension Mountain Bike
The Diamondback Bicycles Full Suspension Mountain Bike marries a visually appealing product created with top-quality components. This bike is perfect for riders who want to invest in a versatile ride that will perform incredibly at the BMX park, the street, and off-road.
With a frame crafted from hydro-forged aluminum, the Diamondback Bicycles Full Suspension Mountain Bike is durable and lightweight. The frame also comes in multiple size variations, so you can tailor your ride to fit you perfectly. Since the bike is made with the efficient Level Link rear suspension and powerful Shimano XT M8000 hydraulic disc brakes on both wheels, safety won’t be a concern.
This bike also features the Shimano XT 11-speed drivetrain and Race Face Turbine Cinch Cranks, making shifting smooth and simple and adding to the bike’s overall performance. Learning how to ride a wheelie on a mountain bike has never been more straightforward.
Pros:
- Outstanding performance for uphill riding or steep trails
- Handles hard turns and bumpy trails smoothly
Cons:
- The chain guide is lacking
Related: Best Diamondback Bikes
4. Dynacraft Vertical Alpine Eagle 24″ Bike
A great wheelie bike doesn’t have to break the bank. Dynacraft Vertical Alpine Eagle bike is built with top-quality components to provide a reliable and safe ride for kids newly interested in BMX or looking to upgrade their gear. This bike is marketed towards kids between six to ten years of age or riders weighing up to 105 pounds. Because your child will keep growing into different bikes, its budget-friendly price makes it an excellent investment.
The Alpine Eagle is built with a strong steel frame that is surprisingly lightweight. It features front caliper brakes and rear coaster brakes, which are ideal for your little one to learn how to ride a wheelie on a bike and for added safety.
Pros
- Lightweight yet strong build makes it perfect for kids
- Two brake options
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Kids will eventually grow out of it
5. Dynacraft Tony Hawk Park Series BMX Freestyle Bike
Named after the famous skateboarder Tony Hawk, known for doing incredible and difficult tricks, the Dynacraft Tony Hawk Park Series BMX Freestyle Bike is perfect for kids 12 and up or riders who weigh up to 275 pounds. This bike is excellent for newbies just starting to learn wheelie tricks or advanced riders who want a top-performing bike.
The Dynacraft Tony Hawk BMX bike is built with a tough hi-ten steel frame that can handle various park tricks. It’s equipped with a Promax rear u-brake, an alloy clamp seat stem, and an alloy handlebar stem that increases the durability and reliability of the bike. While the bike does come with a chain guard to further protect any components from damage, it can also be removed to reduce some weight and make learning how to do a wheelie on a bicycle easier.
Pros
- Easy to adjust
- The frame has a lifetime warranty
- Extremely durable
Cons
- Heavy, weighing in around 37 pounds
How to Do a Wheelie on a Bicycle
Mastering a wheelie is both rewarding and fun to do. However, learning how to do a wheelie is one of the most challenging and time-consuming tricks to learn on a bike since riders need to do several things all at once. With a bit of practice and dedication, you can learn how to ride a wheelie with ease.
To start, you want to set your bike at a lower gear. You’ll need to accelerate very quickly while sitting up straight and locking your arms, which should automatically lift your front tire off the ground. Don’t lean forward on your handlebars since the entire point of a wheelie is getting your front tire up in the air.
Practicing this maneuver will help you learn how to get your front tire off the ground, but learning how to maintain balance on your back tire is the trickier part. It’ll be uncomfortable at first, so you’ll want to keep your hand ready to pull the rear brake, which will freeze your bike in place while you learn how to balance.
Next, you’ll need to learn how to keep from falling to the side. Learning how to move your knees and handlebars as counterweights is one of the most difficult parts of completing a successful wheelie, so time and dedication are key.
Once you’ve spent time mastering each of these steps, you’ll be able to ride a wheelie with ease.
Conclusion
Some of the best wheelies can be done on BMX bikes, but that doesn’t mean those are the kinds of bikes suitable for performing wheelies. Mountain bike wheelies are equally cool and functional to learn, whether you plan to spend time on the trails or at the BMX park. With time and practice, you can even learn how to wheelie a road bike or a fixie.
