Owning a mountain bike can completely transform your life. From keeping your fitness in check to enjoying an array of thrilling activities, a mountain bike can help you do it all. But one of the most fun activity you can do with it is the wheelie. There’s one catch though – mountain bikes are not tailor-made for wheelies. Nonetheless, there are some models that are more apt for performing such tricks and after reading this article, you will hopefully be able to pick the right bike to do wheelies. We will take a look at the best mountain bike for wheelies in 2019 to make your life easier and discuss the things that can help you make a smart choice.

#1 BEIOU Carbon Fiber BO-CB005

The BO-CB005 Carbon Fiber Hardtail Mountain Bike by BEIOU is amongst the best MTBs for wheelies. Weighing 10.8 kg, the bike comes with a lightweight yet durable 15” or 17” frame made of carbon fiber which also gives it a sleek design. 

This high-performance bike is specially designed for cycling enthusiasts interested in hardtail biking and wheelies. It is equipped with powerful SHIMANO hydraulic disc brakes that use M355 technology to ensure swift braking under all conditions. Moreover, air suspension forks are also featured that efficiently absorb the impact as you land and the 26 inch RT wheels ensure a smooth ride.

Pros

• Sleek and stylish design
• Lightweight
• Variable body sizes available
• Powerful brakes

Cons

• Average suspensions

​Contenders For The Best Mountain Bike For Wheelies in 2019

1. BEIOU Carbon Fiber BO-CB005
2. BEIOU Carbon Fiber BO-CB020
3. BEIOU Carbon Fiber BO-CB024
4. Mongoose Men's Tyax Pro
5. Steppenwolf Tundra
6. Raleigh Bikes Kodiak 2
   

#​2 ​BEIOU Carbon Fiber BO-CB020

The next bike we have here is the BOCB020 model by BEIOU. This biker’s favorite has a strong carbon fiber unibody frame to ensure it passes every strength test you put it through as you ride on technical terrains. Moreover, you will surely appreciate its lightweight and stylish design. On top of that, the bike comes in variable sizes of 17” and 19” to cater to the needs of every buyer. 

When it comes to the braking and suspension system, you’ll be glad to know that BEIOU Carbon Fiber CB020 MTB features dual hydraulic brakes to provide superb braking power along with air suspension forks for efficient impact absorption.

Pros

• A strong Carbon fiber body
• Ultralight
• Variable frame and tire sizes
• Dual Suspension

Cons

• Moderate suspensions

#​​3 ​​BEIOU Carbon Fiber BO-CB024

Another great model for wheelies by BEIOU is the CB024 which weighs only 10.65 – amazing, right? Like most other BEIOUS bikes, this one is also made of Toray carbon fiber which makes the bike ultralight yet tough enough to handle your weight.

Apart from the M355 hydraulic disk brakes and air suspension forks, the hardtail bike is equipped with SHIMANO DEORE 600 speed control system which allows you to gear the bike at 30 speeds with greater control. Moreover, 3 different frame sizes are available so that you can pick the one that's the most suitable for you and the steep riding angle makes wheelies a lot easier, comfortable and smoother.

Pros

• Ultralight
• Maneuverable at 30 speeds
• Strong hydraulic brakes
• Variable sizes available

Cons

• Suspensions are average

#​4 ​​​Mongoose Men's Tyax Pro

Mongoose is a renowned name as a prominent manufacturer of quality mountain bikes so investing your money in Men's Tyax Pro is a great option. This hardtail cross-country bike consists of a durable aluminum frame which makes the bike pretty lightweight and agile. Moreover, the stylish design makes the bike highly maneuverable, which is an advantage if you want to do wheelies.

As far as the features are concerned, Mongoose Men’s Tyax Pro is equipped with fork suspensions with 100mm of travel to provide a smooth landing when you perform wheelies. Moreover, it features SHIMANO M395 brakes with 160mm rotors for an enhanced braking power along with tapered head tubes for extra steering stiffness. All in all, Mongoose Men’s Tyax Pro is a perfect bike for wheelies.

Pros

• Offers great maneuverability
• Strong components
• Durable and lightweight

Cons

• None identified

#​​​5 ​Steppenwolf Tundra

Steppenwolf has been around in the MTB industry for over 20 years which speaks volumes about the bike quality itself. Tundra Carbon mountain bike has a lightweight composite carbon frame and features quality construction materials to ensure that it supports your weight.

Coming to the features and design, Steppenwolf’s Tundra offers a steep steering angle that makes the bike extremely maneuverable and agile – something you need to look for in an MTB for wheelies. Other than that, 100mm remote forks offer a great impact absorption abilities and 1900 Spline wheels are also accommodated to offer greater traction and comfortable light.

Pros

• Ultralight
• 99% pre-assembled
• Navigable at 30 speeds
• Sturdy carbon frame

Cons

• None identified as of now

#​​​6 ​Raleigh Bikes Kodiak 2

Raleigh's Kodiak 2 Mountain Bike is truly an amazing option if you want to enjoy the ultimate MTB experience. Raleigh provides an efficient customer service along with bike warranty to ensure that your MTB experience remains unhindered at all times.

The bike is specially designed for riding swiftly on rocky and technical terrains but with 120 mm front and rear suspension forks, you can safely perform wheelies too. The alloy frame of Kodiak 2 is strong enough the handles the stresses of wheelies, which is very essential if you don’t want your bike to end up in the garage after only a few rides. Moreover, the hydraulic disc brakes provide maximum braking power one can ask for and the new and lightweight SRAM drivetrain provides a good gear ratio for ascending and descending.

Pros

• 4 sizes available
• Easy to assemble
• 11-speed drive train
• Powerful brakes and suspensions

Cons

• Slightly heavier

Buyer’s Guide

Finding the perfect mountain bike for a wheelie can be quite a headache as there’s no bike specifically designed for wheelies. So it’s crucial to learn how to scout the one that’s best for wheelies if you want to enjoy your experience. The following section will outline some important tips that you should follow​.

Determine The Budget

Perhaps, you wouldn’t want to spend more than you really need to. So, the first thing you should do is determine your budget to narrow down the choices available to you. You might want to keep a rough estimate of around $550 to buy a suitable mountain bike equipped with the right features to perform a wheelie.

Pay Special Attention to The Chain

The next thing you need to consider is the bike chain, as it will greatly determine if the bike is suitable for wheelies or not. The chain is one of the components that will face the most abuse as you ride your bike over very long distances and yet, most people end up ignoring this feature of their bikes. For manually operated mountain bikes, going for a shorter chain is recommended but you can have longer chains shortened easily at your local bike shop.

Think About The Gears

Gears are another aspect that play a vital role​. Based on your experience and preferences, you need to decide the gear you will mostly be using for wheelies. Essentially, this will be the one that efficiently transfers power to the rear wheel and result in smooth wheelies. Moreover, an absence of gears on the front wheel results in a lighter bike front and makes wheelies easier.

Choose The Frame Wisely

The frame material and design determines the overall weight of the bike and thus, directly affects the bike’s ability to be suitable for performing a wheelie on. The frame is generally made of carbon, steel or aluminum but aluminum frames are recommended as they are generally lighter than the rest. Moreover, longer bikes frames are not suitable for wheelies as they may be difficult to control. Hence if you want to purchase a mountain bike specifically for wheeling, we recommend opting for a shorter frame.

Ensure a Comfortable Riding Position

Performing wheelies becomes a lot harder when you’re not in the correct riding position. In fact, a relaxed upright position is the worst one when it comes to enacting wheelies so the riding position a bike offers is an important factor to consider. Your posture while riding is determined by the positions of the seat and the handlebars and ideally, the seat should be higher than the handlebars for a balanced yet comfortable position for a wheelie. 

Check Out The Suspensions

The suspensions in a bike are responsible for improving traction on the surface and absorbing any impact, which makes this feature imperative in a mountain bike. For wheelies, suspensions in the front wheel are even more important as you have to land back on the ground on your front wheel and you want the impact to be absorbed properly. Otherwise, the bike components may get damaged.

Don’t Ignore The Rear Brakes

The rear brakes will have to perform a lot of action if you intend to use your bike for wheelies rather than riding it normally on mountainous terrains. Hydraulic disc brakes are desirable in mountain bikes that are to be used for wheelies as they are stronger than rim brakes. But keep in mind that brakes that are too powerful are harder to regulate and modulate over technical tricks such as wheelies.

Pick Durable Tyres

The tires directly need to withstand the impact as they land back on the track after a wheelie and added to that, the frictional effects make them even more susceptible to damages. Now, since you don't want to change the tires of your bike after every wheelie session, make sure that the tires are super durable. Moreover, pick tires with a smooth flat pattern tread for the perfect grip on an array of different terrains.

Understand The Importance of a Seat Clamp

Most mountain bikes are not equipped with a quick release seat clamp system but it's essential not to underestimate its usefulness. A quick release seat clamp allows you to adjust the position of the seat effortlessly for a more comfortable posture as you ride. Thus, you don’t need to stay in the wheeling position all the time and you can even change the seat level for performing new tricks. 

Don’t Compromise on The Quality

It may sound quite obvious, but compromising on the quality is never a good idea. This becomes even more pivotal if you intend to use your bike for wheelies as it would need to endure all the unexpected shocks and jerks that come its way. Therefore, ensure that the bike components are made of the highest quality material.

Conclusion

Without the right guidance, finding the ​right ​bike for wheelies can be strenuous. But hopefully, the tips in this article will help you look for the right features in a mountain bike and our top picks will make your life even easier. All the bikes mentioned above have been thoroughly tested for their quality and performance when it comes to wheelies. The best part is that all these models are extremely versatile so no matter if you intend to use them for wheelies or otherwise, you will always have a memorable experience.