Image Credit: Wheelie Fun Bike.
There are certain universal truths in this world. The sky is blue, coffee is a non-negotiable part of my morning, and popping a wheelie is, and always will be, the coolest trick in the book. I don't make the rules. From that first wobbly lift on a Schwinn bicycle to mastering the throttle on a proper motorcycle, hoisting that front wheel skyward is a rite of passage.
Over the years, technology has evolved in ways that make my head spin. We have electric superbikes that are quieter than my dishwasher and airplanes that fly themselves. Big manufacturers like Ducati and Triumph have even given us "Wheelie Control" on their bikes, which is a lovely, sophisticated way of saying, "Here, try not to accidentally flip this $20,000 machine onto your chest, you magnificent daredevil." It's helpful, sure, but you still have to provide the guts.
But now, a little company out of Sacramento has looked at the whole process - the delicate dance of clutch, throttle, and balance - and said, "That seems like a lot of work. Let's make a button for it."
A button. For wheelies. Please, allow me to introduce you to the Wheelie Fun Bike, a machine whose name is so wonderfully on-the-nose, you just have to smile. It's a small electric pit bike, sort of like those little Coleman bikes you see around campgrounds, but it's packing some serious 21st-century magic.
Image Credit: Wheelie Fun Bike.
Dreamt up by a fellow named Jeff McCosker, this little electric rascal promises to turn anyone into a wheelie virtuoso. The secret is in its two main features. First is the star of the show: the "Push To Wheelie" button. You press it, you hold it, and the bike just does it. Once you're up, it operates on a self-balancing system. Lean forward to go faster, lean back to slow down. It's all very futuristic and sounds suspiciously easy.
The second feature is what I'm calling the "Dignity Preservation System," though they call it the "Digital Wheelie Bar." This clever bit of code prevents you from going too far back and experiencing that heart-stopping moment before the bike and gravity decide to become intimately acquainted with your backside. It's like having training wheels for looking impossibly cool, and frankly, my ego appreciates the consideration.
Image Credit: Wheelie Fun Bike.
This "not-a-toy" has some proper electric credentials. The Wheelie Fun Bike is powered by a 72-volt, 10Ah battery that feeds a feisty 5kW high-torque hub motor nestled in the 6-inch rear wheel. That's enough juice to get you about 30 miles on a single charge, which is more than enough time to establish your dominance as the coolest person in the neighborhood. And the top speed? A blistering 35 miles per hour. That might not sound like warp speed, but on a vehicle the size of a large suitcase, I assure you it will feel like you're preparing for atmospheric reentry.
Of course, because we live in an age where my toaster is connected to the Wi-Fi, there's an app for it. You can access wheelie tutorials (as if pushing a button needs a tutorial), switch between ride modes, and even fine-tune the throttle and brake response. You can even adjust the wheelie angle, just in case you want to start with a modest, "Oh, pardon me, my front wheel seems to have lifted," before progressing to a full-on, "Behold, I am the master of physics!"
Image Credit: Wheelie Fun Bike.
What's the price for this instant injection of fun? The Founder's Edition is available for pre-order at $2,995, with the standard model set to retail for $3,499. That's a big chunk of change for what is, essentially, a happiness machine. But can you really put a price on rolling up to a backyard barbecue on one wheel? I think not.
Look, my job is to be gently skeptical of new electric tech. Is this bike practical? Heavens, no. Will it solve urban mobility issues? Never. But that's not the point. The point is fun. It's about capturing that little spark of joy we all felt the first time we got a bike for our birthday. As a scooter, this thing is delightfully absurd, brilliantly unnecessary, and I am absolutely, one hundred percent, loving it.
