Learning Bike Tricks - How to Ride on the Rear Wheel

Learning Bike Tricks Among biking enthusiasts, videos on the internet featuring experienced riders skillfully and stylishly traveling on their rear wheels are quite popular. This captivating display often sparks a desire in teenagers to master this form of biking.

Riding on the rear wheel of a bike is called Wheelie or surf riding. To learn this, you’ll need to go through several essential lessons that gradually reveal the technique and nuances of the trick.

Preparing for the First Sessions

This trick is easier to perform on a mountain bike

Before starting your practice, it’s wise to equip yourself with protective gear—helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads. Unfortunately, as experience shows, it’s almost inevitable to avoid falls during the initial learning phase.
The second consideration is the choice of bike. Almost any bike can be used for riding on the rear wheel, but it’s best to start learning on mountain bike models. These bikes have a different design compared to other types and are also known as off-road bikes or mountain bikes. Such models make learning faster and easier thanks to their higher stability. Generally, bikes with strong, durable frames and 26-inch wheels are ideal for rear-wheel riding.
Optimal gear selection is critical—the smallest chainring on the pedals and a medium one on the rear wheel (1-3). A gear that’s too high will make it hard to maintain balance, while one that’s too low won’t provide enough acceleration.
For ease of learning, lower the seat to its minimum height. Utilizing the rear hand brake, which ideally should be hydraulic, will also be important.

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Next, select an optimal practice location. The surface should be smooth, free of potholes, bumps, and wide cracks. Remote park areas are ideal for this, as they usually have fewer onlookers and “helpful advisors” who can sometimes be distracting. There’s also a reduced risk of collisions or running into pedestrians. Having a friend who is already skilled in this bike trick to assist you can be incredibly beneficial.
Learning to ride on the rear wheel is best done on a slight incline—it will ease the initial stage of lifting the front wheel.

The First Few Meters

Execute a tug and pedal push simultaneously Now for the first lesson: how to properly lift the front wheel.

Ride at a moderate speed (around 15 km/h) while holding the handlebars with straight arms. Then, simultaneously press down on the pedal with your dominant foot, shift your center of gravity toward the rear wheel, and make a small tug with your straight arms.

According to the laws of physics, the front wheel should lift off the ground. It’s important that all movements and efforts are well-coordinated to avoid losing control of the bike or having it immediately return to its original position.

One of the most common mistakes beginners make is relying solely on a strong pull with their arms, which invariably results in losing control of the “machine.” Remember, the primary focus should be on proper weight distribution; even a minimal effort with the handlebars will suffice if done correctly.

Maintaining balance is also achieved through body movements, not by forcefully yanking the handlebars. In general, your arms should always remain straight and tense. Slight bending of tense arms is acceptable, though it can quickly lead to fatigue.

To help maintain balance, adjust your pedaling force or briefly apply the rear hand brake when necessary. Don’t expect that your first success at lifting the wheel off the ground is nearly everything. Only through prolonged practice, which may require considerable time, will you develop a fine feeling for the balance point and the ability to hold it for an extended period.

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Learning to Properly Control Your Bicycle

Turn by shifting the center of gravity So, the initial successes are achieved – you can now ride a certain distance on the rear wheel. The next step is to learn to control your bicycle in this position.

Once again, recall physics—rules for vector decomposition of applied force, in this case, from the center of gravity. Using your knees as counterweights, you can quickly learn how to “steer”—just lean them in the desired turning direction. Of course, abrupt movements must be avoided, as they will inevitably lead to a fall.

You can also adjust the direction with the handlebars, but in a mirrored fashion: to turn right, turn the handlebars left, and vice versa. With more practice, every cyclist will find the most suitable method for making turns.

There’s often debate about whether it’s better to sit on the saddle or stand on the pedals with slightly bent legs. There’s no universal recipe—both techniques have merit. The key is to maintain the correct positioning of the center of gravity over the rear wheel. Incidentally, this largely depends on the bike’s design features. In any case, with good skills, you’ll be able to ride seated on the saddle with an air of complete composure.

Common Mistakes of Beginners

Next phase: Riding on the rear wheel without hands

Oftentimes, fear of falling outweighs the desire to master the trick. A recommendation: overcome it. Protective gear, which helps avoid serious injuries, can play a significant role here. Initially, you can also practice proper dismounting—jumping off onto both feet when the bike rears up uncontrollably, letting it “pass beneath you.” This will surely boost confidence.
“Giving up” after early failures. Don’t expect instant success. Don’t believe those who claim they succeeded on the first try. Even learning basic cycling requires time and patience, let alone such an advanced riding technique. Practice shows that noticeable results come after about a week of training.
It’s worth reiterating: when lifting the front wheel, don’t rely solely on pulling the handlebars with your hands—this is a dead-end strategy.
Avoid leaning towards the handlebars, even if this seems like the safest position—holding the center of gravity in such a stance is impossible.
Abrupt movements, accelerations, and braking lead directly to falls. Everything must be smooth and proportional.

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To master riding on the rear wheel, it’s important not to fear or panic after initial failures. Only persistent training will yield positive results over time. However, eventually, you’ll laugh at your current self when such a trick becomes effortless, performed reflexively, and the very idea of it being difficult seems strange.