The simple way to compare gear ratios is to divide the front teeth by the rear teeth and multiply by the wheel size. 33/17 x 29 = 56.3. An old school BMX was usually 44/16 x 20 = 55. The lower the number, the easier the gear is. My 27.5 PK Ripper is 39/17 x 27.5 = 63.1 which is incredibly hard to pull up. To compare properly you need to measure the real tyre diameters though as they are often an inch bigger or smaller than the wheel size suggests.

Awesome Brother. Agreeing and had that same experience. Thanks for sharing. I have the Redline SQB-26 and still learning wheelies

I'm 44 I just bought a Sunday High C 29er a couple weeks ago and I love it! I haven't been on a bike since I was 15 yrs old. This is great information bud. Learning to wheely👍🏽👍🏽 love these videos 💯🔥👍🏽

Appreciate the support man 🙌🏾

great video man, im 53 i got my first big ripper 2 months ago, i own 3 now and im trying to learn to wheelie. thanks for the info and keep making videos they are helpful for us older die hards. big rippers have changed my life and it has brought back my childhood first love.riding bikes.

Thanks for posting this! Just ordered my first Big Ripper and have also added a 17 tooth Box 2 Free wheel with a 33T SE Sprocket. Can't wait to get out there!

thanks for the video bro , I needed this

Thanks for the info and love seeing an OG ripping wheelies. Awesome dude

i haven’t ridden any sort of bmx for years now and i’ve recently found myself looking at and wanting a 29, only thing that’s been stopping me from taking the plunge is that fact i’m now 40 but after watching your video and you being a little older than myself you have made me think what the hell i’m going to go for it so thank you for giving me the confidence ❤️ happy riding mate 👌🏻

Getting into this with my son at 41 yes this helped alot thanks

Thanks for the video. I’m a 50 year old learning to ride a wheelie and needed this info. Looking forward to change the gearing on my Monster Quad. Ride on!

So I just copped my first SE Bikes CG Big Ripper 29" BMX Bike 2023...........as a kid I had a 24" GT Interceptor all chrome, had tons of fun on it and ramped over everything and anything makeshift on the blocks or riverbeds. Then my aunt said it was stolen as I had it stored at her pad(I think she sold it) for years when I went off to college. fast forward, I decided to get me a gold 24" REDLINE ProCruiser................in between that I had a race track Mongoose I got at a pawn shop, but I was too big for it, but it did keep up with me..............anyways, I am anticipating this addition to my BMX collection with this BR is gonna be fun so I can carve it up. I will see about hoping dirt mounds and curbs and finally lean how to wheelie, as I tried many times on my Redline and got some progress, but did do a full turtle dive on my back once.......then I smoked a joint to help the pain. hahahah lets ride out vatos.........#stayupridelow

I appreciate your time for making this video . I'm getting back in to bikes 47 just had a heart transplant 5 months ago and ready to put this new heart to use

Came to say that I’ve learned how to wheelie finally after workin on it for quite a while….and I watched this along the way and took your advice, you’re 💯 on the money with the 36/20 gearing. This vid really helped so thanks 🙏🏻

I was thinking of these similar things about gearing and the way that other kids/teens + try to ride. I'm actually In my late 20's 5.9ft, and I just cruise around on my SE Monster Quad just to do some errands lol. Even If I have no idea how to wheelie or do tricks, It's always good to just take your time, enjoy nature and have some fun lol. Stay safe.

I'm almost 47 5'11"about 200 lbs, I opted for the big flyer can't wheelie the damn thing yet but you have inspired me. Now just trying to figure out what mods to make not really feeling the big honkers but I'm glad I found your videos👍👍

Haha I ran across your channel by chance. I came across this episode, as soon as I started watching it, I was like holy crap, I known that dude! 😂

Needed this thanks brotha

Keep goals, and trust yer' self! I hope you keep doing more videos. 🤙

hey man, great video. Quick question. Do you find that your caliper comes out of alignment a lot on your disk break bike? I find that after a ride almost every time I've got to re adjust my shit again. Kinda sucks and its making me miss my V-break bike

Another old dude here, 51 going on 52 and looking at the Big Ripper. Back in the day I loved SE bikes....loved the quadrangle. I settled on a Diamondback to race. Loved finding this video!

Do you use those seat posts to get your weight further over the rear axle to give yourself more leg room to stretch or for both reasons? I just bought a Sunday High C and ordered that same seat post for the reasons I mentioned above. I'm 6'2/ 167lbs.

Where did you find your chainring I’ve been going crazy trying to find a good one I have the dub ripper with the 39 tooth and I wanna bring it down some too thank you I appreciate it

I have wondered the same things for a long time. This is a very nice video and I will review it more in the future I am sure. Thank you! 37 years old and I started learning on my SE 29” Black Ops Spec Ops Bike 1 month ago. So far: Can Pop up to standing on the ground. Very close to being able to riding forward in Wheelie position. I am 6’1 190 lbs.

This is the perfect video I just got a FIT AITKEN 26” and I’m 43 it came with 25/9 gearing I forgot all about gearing so since I’m a grown up with a good job and can afford any bike part I want now I’m going to change gearing with a new wheel using a profile elite hub laced up with some Ti spokes

Good video man, looking to get a Big Ripper or Monster Ripper which one do you like better etc.? Still the Monster? I’m a 45yr old 6’ 4” 210lb Have you checked out a Fast Ripper? Not sure if I want gears?

Great video very informative thank you!

And thank you for the video it helped me a lot

Just got my 27.5 in (my first big bmx) and I'm 50+ so this is going to be fun. Thanks for making this.

I noticed you have laid back seat posts on both bikes which I believe arent stock, Im trying to learn wheelies and feel like it would be easier if my seat were back further which would put my body weight back further, is that something you found helped you get the front wheel up easier?

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing I needed this currently riding a big ripper stock 36/16 and my knees are killing me after 30 minutes of practicing. I’m 35 5’11 250 plus and I’m able to get my bike up and a few pedal strokes in but I can’t maintain the wheelie thinking my legs are just weak or I need to adjust my balance point further back I don’t know still a rookie in this whole bikelife. I’m about 1 month and a half in with as yourself a skater background but I can’t take slams anymore. I can wheelie about 6/8 pedal strokes and I’ve been at the stage for about a month now and started thinking about the gear ratio and which could help me keep the wheelie and it could be a smoother ride in maintaining the wheelie. What do you recommend? A friend recommended 33/16 should be fine and compared it to his 37/17.

thanks from France, search for long time this kind of video. I'm a 43 years old guy starting to practice, and just get a Mafia Bike 29" coming with 12 teeth on the rear and 25 teeth on the front and it's really hard to get up. I can but it's hard to maintain due to a lack of resistance when pushing for rotation. So I will try your recipe.

I always called the chainring style a 2 piece crank, separate sprocket, 3 piece crank. looks like nowadays you can actually turn a 3 piece into a 2 piece style which is cool because it makes changing ratios a little easier.

Thanks man! Goin back to my roots!

Love seeing oldheads still doing it. I’m 44 and have a PK 27.5. Been riding bmx since the 80s. I ride daily and my wheelies are stinky af. You’re exactly right 1 tooth in the rear is equal to 3 on the front. I went up one tooth on the rear and I love it but I think it slowed the bike too much loss of inertia and speed so my wheelies are not as far and as fast as stock. Imo one tooth down on the front would have been better. Stock on the Pk is 39x17

Are you running the stock cog with lots of play on your Monster Ripper? Thanks for the time you spent. I’m 54 years old just got back into BMX ing. Got a new Monster Ripper and New Big Ripper just a few days ago. Happy New Year. 🙏🏻🌎

Cool thanks, I'm 54 ex surfer skater . I was looking into these bikes to have something fun to do as I'm not content with hiking or walking here in utah with the retired guys.

ITS ALL ABOUT THE LAYBACK POST - HELPS MASSIVELY TO GET IT UP - AFTER THAT PRETTY MUCH ANY BMX GEARING IS FINE

37 year old skateboarder,from Beaumont area of Texas, here! new haro slo ride 26 inch should be here today. I can't stand the kids today in bmx and skateboarding. Let's go! I'm glad there's some older cats doing it. My wife thinks I'm going through a mid life crisis.

What yall recommend to switching the front sprocket to on a 26" pulling up on the stock gearing is stupid hard...

Great video man. I just got the 2021 Monster Quad and love it at 50. Couldn’t pull up until 45 minutes of trying. I got to 5 or 6 pedals and pulled my back, sciatica pain for four days. I’m better now and I’m going to go for the 36! I love everything about this Bike life movement, except for the maniacal swerving also. Thanks for the info and keep up the great videos! 🤙🏼

How was 33/18? What gear ratio do you think is best for learning wheelies on big ripper?

I’m 51 yrs old as well. great info sir. On my way tomorrow to pick up my big ripper classic black and gold.

Great video. What seat post is that? Does the further back seat position help with wheelies as well?

Did you have to cut the chain or swap out for a longer chains with freewheel swaps?

Very similar age to you. I use a 36 front 20 rear and the classic old school lay back seat post. For me that's perfection on a 29 inch Big Ripper. With the standard gearing I could barely get the front wheel off the ground. I can now pull wheelies almost for ever. Only thing that stops me is holes in the ground, speed bumps, big hills or tight corners. Just got a Haro 26" and trying to dial in the gearing on that. 36/20 works ok for wheelies but is way to low for anything else. My legs are spinning like a washing machine on rinse cycle.

I've had the same problems and thoughts! I'm fit and got a bike with 39x16 and I've been practicing for a week thinking what the hell is going on. I can wheelie it but its absurd. Adjusted seat, wheelbase, technique and its still hard af. So I've been searching trying to figure out what gearing to do with basically no results, thanks so much for the vid, gonna try some new gearing

You good dude? I just became a part of the " victims of a hitnrun club" on monday 5 broken ribs and 2 scalp lacerations. Had no idea it sucked this hard. Good thing were skaters homies, our bodies are like van dammes shins&knuckles in Kickboxer. Hope you and yours are well. Be careful when driving around big city downtowns. "The only thing that can kill Barnes is Barnes!" - Rah

I'm old too. I appreciate the advice on the 33/20 combination. Both of my Sunday High C bikes have 27/13 combination. I could be twenty years younger, and never get close to doing a wheelie.

I’ve got 5 29ers. Does anyone know if regular or linear brake cables are better? My bikes don’t brake the best at the moment. If anyone recommends a nice brake lever and u brake set up let me know also. Thanks!

I'm a skater. Just getting in to wheelie BIKES. 49...SIX FOOT TALL 230 POUND'S GREAT VIDEO....

Bro is rly just mad he can’t combo😭😂😂😂 it’s ok buddy you’ll get it💀

I am 61 years old. As a kid in the late 70"s rode skate boards and BMX. In the 80's rode MotoX and Cross Country. Around 2004 got my first mountain bike. Now i am preparing for retirement and looking to move to the North Carolina coast and chill. I have a killer fat tire bike for the sand but think it would be cool to have a wheelie bike for the short trips around on the street. What would you recommend for me? I am 6 feet 4 inches tall. Thanks for the input and great videos.

Stock 36 for sale? Do you think the seat post has anything to do with it? Thank you

Hi Sir, i have a stock monster ripper like yours and was wondering if i change the chainring to a one that makes it easier for me to actually get front wheel up ( im really struggling) do i have to remove links from chain ? Thanks in advance and great video thanks.

Great video

SIKK wheelie at the end dude! 🤙🏼

Excellent Content. I am looking at getting my first SE Bike for wheelies. Question: Would it make sense to get a FAST RIPPER - 10 speed so I can optimize through the wheelie learning curve? I have heard that the FAST RIPPER is the easiest to wheelie. Everyone who has one says the front end comes up easily. What do you think?

I have 18t boxtwo freewheel on my big ripper, ordering 33t sprocket soon. Thanks! 💪🏾

How did you like the 18t just bought a big ripper want to get new freewheel and sprocket great video.

33t in the front and 20t freewheel is money. Great for old folks to pop wheelies and not bad for cruising around on flat land. Upgraded to 20t from a 16t freewheel and it is way better. Thank you for this great video.

Question I’m 6’1 and purchasing my first 29er would you recommend a big ripper or fast?

This was very helpful. I'm 54 and I think I'm going to order the Mike Buff Fast Ripper. I don't have health insurance... I can't be out wheelieing when I'm jacked on the sauce!

I have 3 big rippers, a red one , white, one and of course a blue one.....so you said 36/20.....is that a 1/4" or 1/8" on the freewheel , also where did you find the lean back seat post's at....

Im looking at an SE PK big ripper im 50 and wanted to hit the trails around the lake by my house and Fuk off around the neighborhood , should i get a 27.5 or a 29in ?

I feel you on this, the swerving and combos is embarrassing

Interesting video.. started playing after a coupled vids of letting KZfaq run..algorithm... anyway.. now wheelies are on my bucket list.. ill try them on my mountain bike.. I dont dont have a big wheel bmx.. Im into klunkers and strandies.. which is what probably got me to your channel..

I'm 43 and totally agree w the whole video

So how did you end up liking the 33/18 ? I am currently running 33/16 but stuck weather to go to 17 or 18

Do you think it would be easier to wheelie on a fast Ripper since it has gears?

just like you getting tired of watching wheelie footage i got tired of you complaining about the new generation but i get what you mean and also good content

I'm a 51 yr. Old School Sk8 board , 8guess I got to step up the bar and represent. Gonna get me an SE

Beginner here want to just pop wheelies as easy as possible with minimal learning curve. I'm 6 foot 205 what setup should I run big dog. Thanks I liked the vid

Got the lay’d back seat post.. I’m considering that. I’m 40 with a fat quad and a big ripper

Yes, yes and yes!!! Thank you

My gears are a 39/17 what do you recommend for wheelies but also to keep up don’t want the bike to slow?

What seat posts are you running on your bikes?

Hello my bike is in 12/32 it is a mountain bike and I would like to know if it is good? I think that when I would have practiced enough I would change to an SE bike

Thanks for this video sir this was full of great info. I’m 38 and on a quest to find the right 29er and get to making wheelies. I’m also a gearing fanatic as I change all my stunt bikes out so I’ve also been digging around trying to figure out gearing etc. this video literally just helped me out a ton! I’ve been trying to get a fast ripper just to have the adjustability but keep missing the online drop when they get listed so looking at some other models in the mean time.

looks like fun I will convert my 29er to a se bike

And respect ✊🏼 your wheelie is way better than mine lol

What chain ring did you use on that monster ripper???

i learned on a 33t sprocket and a 17t freewheel on my big ripper and it was easier to wheelie. Big ripper got stolen and just bought a big flyer with a 36t sprocket. I had relearn wheelies with it learned that 33t is more easier because of how big the 36 and how hard it is to pedal. In my opinion 33/17 is the best gear ratio

Thank you for the video.. gave your channels a follow. I am looking to purchase my first SE bike.. torn between the Big Ripper or Monster Ripper. I heard what you said about the wider tires. I am torn between the 2 bikes. I am 6'2 220 pounds, very athletic.. any advice?

6:37-its called "looping out"

On my track bike, I run 46/16, my fgfs Crew Defender, 33/16, thinking about going with 33/13. Then my BMX has 25/9.

I agree with you bro..

Thanks

Thx😊

I just got a Mike Buff Signed by Mike Buff can't wait ta wheelie

who else from rozaati video🤣🤣

thanks for the content man I was wondering about this as well I am up their in age as well just snagged a gt pro series 29er it came with a 16 25 not worried about keepin up worried about getting it up and form just me and my son wondering what combo would be best

Do you prefer 33/18 or 36/18 on a big ripper?

u could talk about bike life now all u want but at the end of the day like u said watching videos of us youngins doing combos and swerves is what got u into wheelies

Hey what seat post do you rock?

helpful

You said the 33/17 and the 39/20 were good. Not surprising. Both are almost identical (56.29 + 56.59). Anyway, great video. Thanks for letting us know the gearing. I'm switching my factory gear setting on my Sunday High C from 60.23 to 52.20 gear inches later this week. By the way, the early Schwinn Sting Rays were 52 gear inches. Thinking back...now I know why they were so easy to wheelie.

So whats the best gear ratio for beginners learning how to wheelie?

So a 36 tooth stock would work best with a 20 tooth freewheel?

Subscribed. Can you tell me the name of the seat post.