Some people have wanted to do things for a long time, but never do them. Clearing out the cellar, learning Spanish or playing the guitar. BIKE reader Markus (43) is not one of those people. He wants to learn the wheelie and is doing so. But unfortunately with little success. He never managed more than five or six metres. Together with riding technique expert Stefan Herrmann, this is now set to change. Stefan says: "With the right technique, you can learn the wheelie in six weeks."
Dry run
Many people try the wheelie for years, but with the wrong movement pattern. It never works that way. Stefan shows Markus what's important.
As Markus Muerbeth pulls his Ghost out of the boot, riding technique expert Stefan Herrmann realises that his assignment for the day is already doomed to failure. Stefan takes a step closer and suspiciously grips the shoulder-width handlebars of the ageing Ghost RT 7500, then his gaze wanders to the stem, which protrudes forwards like the back of a chair. A pull on the brake lever tells Stefan once and for all - it's not easy to learn to wheelie on this bike.
When Markus read the BIKE appeal, he didn't hesitate for a second. After all, you don't win a one-to-one seminar with riding technique guru Stefan Herrmann every day. Especially not one where you get to choose your favourite manoeuvres. In other words, something you've always wanted to master. Markus didn't have to think twice. After all, the mechanical engineer has been trying out the wheelie for many years. Time and again, he pulls the front wheel up on his after-work ride and tries to ride on the rear wheel. "But I can't do more than five or six metres," Markus shrugs his shoulders helplessly. What's the problem? He doesn't know.
The wheelie - the show-off move par excellence
Few manoeuvres polarise more than the wheelie. Many see it as a show-off move. But the wheelie is about much more than that. "Once you've been riding on the rear wheel for a while, it feels like surfing," says Stefan Herrmann, who has already taught the wheelie to many of his course participants. Lifting the front wheel off-road is also a helpful technique for overcoming obstacles. When you ask speed wheelie record holder Bobby Root about the fascination of the wheelie, he says: "Ever since bikes have been around, people have wanted to ride on the rear wheel." More difficult, but also more useful off-road, is the manual - the advanced version of the wheelie. This involves not pedalling and the rider stands on the pedals instead of sitting on the saddle. This technique makes it easy to negotiate bumps and gullies off-road. "Anyone who masters the manual is a really good mountain biker," says trials legend Hans Rey.
However, Markus is still a long way from the manual. He has just been told by Stefan that his setup does not fulfil the best requirements. "A stem longer than 70 mm, narrow handlebars and a brake with an undefined pressure point are not a good basis," says the pro. Clipless pedals are taboo anyway.
The most important thing: fun, patience and practise, practise, practise
Markus now at least has his brakes under control - he has found the pressure point. Now he starts his first wheelie attempt, while Stefan watches him closely. Markus leans low over the handlebars, pulls away and pedals hard. But after just a few turns of the cranks, he starts to lean and the front wheel snaps to the ground. The second attempt is similar. Although he pedals hard and bends his arms, he can't manage to keep the front up. Stefan immediately recognises the problem. "Wrong technique - that's not how you learn to do a wheelie in twenty years," says Stefan and beckons Markus over to analyse. He listens spellbound to the pro's words and memorises the key points - keep your arms long, balance only with your knees and shoulders and, above all, lean further back. Then Markus tries again. But he bends his arms again. "That's completely normal," says Stefan. "If you've been trying something for so long with the wrong technique, you can't get rid of the movement pattern so quickly. "It takes time!" Markus tries again. Sometimes it works better, sometimes not. But he doesn't let up, bends low over the handlebars again and again and pulls his Ghost onto the rear wheel. "Most people give up too early," reveals Stefan, while Markus has just completed his longest wheelie ride. The praise from the trainer comes promptly. Markus is using the right technique. Now it's up to him how long it takes to do the perfect wheelie. After two hours, the private training session comes to an end.
But Markus firmly believes in himself. The first thing he wants to do is replace the components. "A shorter stem, bleed the brakes and maybe I'll even fit wider handlebars," says Markus, smiling with determination: "I'll manage the wheelie this summer. Guaranteed!"
Laurin Lehner
Editor
