Hi everyone,

I've been riding the trails for about 6 or 7 years now. I can handle basic stuff; I can pick lines, ride small drops, survive rock gardens, and the works. But as hard as I try I can't do a wheelie. I am almost 15, and am a state-level high school track runner, so believe me when I say my legs are pretty strong. Granted, I am a distance runner but nonetheless I should have the power to wheelie. Also, I have a relatively small bike, a Jamis Dakar (size extra small) which I got a few years ago. Does anyone have any advice on how to keep my front wheel up after a few strokes? I can only get about 4 pedal strokes in until my front wheel falls back to the ground. Should I have my rear suspension (air) harder perhaps? Any technique advice? Thanks!

You need to quit school, stop all that distace nonsence,clear your mind and take what advice Gastro will give you. If you can't wheelie after that...........it could be that you suck.

i think that clarifies it

It's more of a balance issue, rather than leg strength...

Its not just peddling hard, its a perfect balance between Pulling up with your arms, peddling and balance.
have a full suspension bike makes it a tad harder because the rear shock takes a lot of your energy and tends to absorb the wheelie.

......are you sure about that********************

EDIT- Nevermind.

Possibly need to go to the gym a little more?

So it's just a matter of strength and then balance? Then the gym would solve that. But is there any real technique in popping up? Any hints? Thanks!

I don't think it has anything to do with strength to be honest. Balance yes.

I have seen some of the skinniest kids pull wheelies, proper gearing, technique and balance can make up for skinny legs

you basicly fail at life, i can wheelie my tandem, without the stroker's permision or cooperation.

not really, but this is the internet, i can lie all i want.

strength/gym is not the issue. the trick in pulling the wheelie is in shifting your weight backwards quickly while simultaneously applying the right amount of torque to your pedal/rear wheel.
tips:
0. do a search. most of this stuff is already in the forums somewhere.
1. try hit the "sweet spot" on the first pedal stroke
2. pre-loading your front suspension helps
3. start on an "easy" gear, maybe even on a slight uphill incline
4. keeping your arms straight when you pull the wheelie helps
5. pedal once or twice to keep the front up
6. feather the rear brake to keep from falling backwards
7. use your knees/hips to shift weight for sideways balance
8. flat pedals reduce the penalty for failure
9. wear a lid

Yes I find it harder to do a wheelie on a dual suspension then my hardtail.
and before your start saying I've never tried a dual, Yes, I have, I took one for a little joy ride.

The rear shock absorbs the wheelie********** Are you freakin serious? So you took a dually on a joyride and that makes this sound advice? Could there be other factors involved? Let Gastro show how hard it is to wheelie one if those nasty old duallys.......

awesome! with no helmet, or lid as referred to above, too

hahahahah

If I'm set up for XC racing (higher saddle closer to "road bike" height) it is harder to loft the front up and find the sweet spot for balance.... so I'd say lower your saddle if your out for a unicycle ride :-)

I have seen one nose wheelied...

The real question is, why do you need to do a wheelie?

I am a

A)BMX'er
B)Freerider
C)Show Off


Pick one.

LOL. I only did them cause I BMX'ed, and was a Bit of a show off a times,
now they just help get over things.

I see a heck of a lot of Jr.s on here giving sub par advice on things the obviously know little about. Let me ask you this, would chainstay lenth factor in to this more than FS?

Chainstay length could make it hard if it's to long, yes, it would be harder to get up.
To short though, you'd be a bit unstable and if you pull to much your on your back quick.

atleast were trying to help, you just seem to be trying to cause problems.

Bad advice is helping? FS has nothing to do with how well a person can wheelie.

At least we're adept at simple grammar.

OMG, you just don't get it do you?

I didn't say it does, I said it COULD!
because if you have a lower end shock/spring it could bob a bit and throw you off balance.

I've actually noticed I can wheelie much better since going to full suspension.