Stoppie
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The stoppie, also known as the endo, is a motorcycle and bicycle trick in which the back wheel is lifted and the bike is ridden on the front wheel. It is also sometimes called a front wheelie or wikang (wheelie belakang) in Malaysia.
[edit] General description
The trick is performed by harshly engaging the front brake and leaning forward. The rider then tries to balance by shifting their weight and keeping the rear wheel as high as possible. If the bicycle rider does not have a front brake, then experienced riders may jam a foot in between the tire and front fork while pushing forward. Endos can also be accomplished without front brakes with the aid of a roadside curb. NB: If the bike's wheels are 24" or larger they will normally mount the curb instead of being stopped by it.
The term endo can also refer to a crash caused by improperly landing with the front wheel first after a jump. With the rear wheel high enough in the air upon landing, a moving bicycle has the tendency to throw the rider over the handlebars and flip end over end (hence the name endo).
[edit] How it's done
To perform a stoppie, the rider gets up speed and applies the front brake while leaning forward, then rides on the front wheel until the bike stops. The trick is straightforward in theory but difficult to perform. A front wheel skid due to excessive braking on unstable ground (such as dirt or gravel) or letting the back wheel rise too high will cause a crash which can result in the bicycle or motorcycle landing on the rider. Front brake control during the stoppie is essential. On a bicycle it is also easier for the back wheel to rise if the rider lifts it up with the help of the feet and the pedals. To do this put the feet on the pedals and point the toes to the ground while putting force towards the pedals, then, as the front brake is pressed, lift up the pedals.
The secret is to ride at about 10 mph and apply the brake smoothly. The rider should find an open car park or a dirt field. The front brake is applied slowly at first and then more progressively, until the front end is fully loaded. On practice runs the rider lets go of the front brake before the bike stops completely in order to get used to keeping balance after the release of the front brake.
Loading the front forks is important, because it transfers the forces from the bike's weight onto the front before the rear is brought up. A stoppie is not achieved by instantly applying full front brake. That will just slide the front (even at 10 mph).
The force needs to be transferred because without the bike's full weight on the front tire, the braking force will be greater than the tire's stopping power and the bike will start to slide. Stopping power (friction) is proportional to the force pushing the tire onto the ground (vertically). When the front end dives, the bike's full weight is holding the front tire onto the ground.
Keep applying the brakes harder with each pass until the rear end comes up. The rider must be ready to release the front brake as soon as the rear end is as high as comfortable.
No rear brake is used, it will not prevent the rider from going over as it does with wheelies. In fact, if the rear brake is applied while the rear wheel is in the air, it will be harder to balance when the rider comes back down.
Keep the bike in first gear so that the bike can be accelerated when it comes down to stabilize the bike.
A stoppie performed well will put the bike in the air for 2-3 (or more) seconds.
There are more subtle tricks such as standing up on the pegs a little before braking to make the trick last longer.
The stoppie is sometimes performed by squids on public roads which can end in crashes and/or injuries that are worsened by the rider's lack of protective gear. It is illegal to perform stoppies on public roads and protective gear should always be worn.
The diagram below demonstrates an effective and safe stoppie on a sportbike.
