How to Do Rear Wheel Lift: A Step-by-Step Guide
This article will discuss “how to do rear wheel lift.” Let’s start
Knowing how to use wheel lifts is essential when riding on a mountain biking path with several hazards. You may already be aware that when roots, rocks, or ditches get in the way, a front-wheel lift can help you navigate them securely.
Instead of transferring your weight backwards to elevate the front wheel, this motion entails raising up on the pedals to raise the back wheel. This maneuver will improve the smoothness and safety of your ride, especially on rough trails.
Continue reading to learn how to do rear wheel lift.
Why Lifting Back Wheel of Bike Is Useful
The front-wheel lift is more obvious since it elevates to avoid colliding with an obstruction. A front-wheel lift is much easier to install and improves your ride’s smoothness and control.
While back wheel lifts may aid in the smoothing of your ride, they also serve an essential function: tire protection. Because if your front wheel clears a hazard, your back wheel may collide with it and puncture it. It’s also possible that you’ll damage the rim.
To clear any impediments, one alternative is to come to a complete stop. You’ll also need to learn how to lift your bike’s back wheel if you want to maintain your motion safely.
Also Read: Best Road Bike Tires | Reviews & Buying Guide
A Step-by-Step Guide on Lift Back Bike Wheel
How to do rear wheel lift? Let’s dig into this question.
The procedure for lifting your bike’s back wheel is outlined here. Read it through a few times before you try it, and make sure you’re practicing on a flat, safe surface. Although this maneuver will be utilized to escape obstacles in the future, it is more complex than the front wheel lift and takes practice.
- Choose a gear that will allow you to pedal at a leisurely pace.
- Back and forth, shift your weight. This motion will engage compression if your bike has it.
- As the momentum starts to pull you back upward, prepare to lift by pointing your toes towards the ground.
- With your toes pointed down and your weight traveling up and forward, scoop the pedals backward and upwards. Because you’ve moved your weight away from the back wheel, this scooping motion should lift it.
- To bring the back wheel back to the ground, simply move your weight backward into balance. This shift should be gradual and undetectable. With little effort, the back wheel should return to its back position.
Troubleshooting
The back wheel lift is less straightforward than the front wheel lift, but it is, as you can see, fundamentally a compressing motion. You will be able to go faster and over higher obstacles as you gain experience.
Take a look at the common concerns listed below if you’re having trouble making this relocation work.
The Obstacle Is Too High
You can practice the back wheel lift alone on a flat surface, but on a course with obstacles, you’ll need to combine it with the front wheel lift. The front-wheel clears the obstruction first, followed by the back wheel.
As a result, the front lift’s energy can be transmitted to the back lift. You can mix the fall of the front wheel with the upward and forward movement of your body weight. After a while, you’ll be able to shift while the front wheel is still in the air, which is known as a bunny hop.
Also Read: Best Road Bike Tires for Puncture Resistance | Reviews & Buying Guide
Not Enough Compression
If you’re not getting enough compression, you can practice the up and down motion until it improves. The initial stage is to stand up while riding, gently bends your legs, and lower your torso. Accustom yourself to the sensation of shifting your body weight in this way.
Then, using this spring-like motion of your legs, easily lift your feet up. Consider how a spring naturally compresses and releases—this is how you lift your bike’s back wheel with way and fluidity.
Viewing films of the back wheel lift will also help your brain understand how this compression should work fluidly.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you would have gotten the answer to the question: “how to do rear wheel lift.”
On a delightful mountain bike ride, the last thing you want is a punctured tire or a damaged rim. It’s also inconvenient to have to stop at every bump on the road. You can ride around obstacles without stopping if you know how to lift the back wheel of your bike in conjunction with the front wheel lift. Simply practice on a level, safe surface before attempting it on the trail.
