Fakie wheelie anyone?

I am not sure you can really extract that kind of information from an NTSC (30fps) signal (did you download the HD original from Vimeo ?).

Regardless, whichever way the bike is going the wheel (top) will spin in the direction of motion - so even if played backwards (or really going backwards) will still be spinning in the right direction (ie: it is not an indication of visual trickery).

Of course I'm not sure :-) I thought it would spin backwards in both cases, but I dind't know, that the force of inertia is stronger than the force of gravity (hope my english is english enough) - never really observed the behaviour, as I don't do tricks. I'm sure you know more in this matter, so I'm not going to argue.

10 to 12 seconds into the video, it can be clearly seen that the tension on the upper chain run is greater than that on the lower.
Go figure.

Of course I'm not sure :-) I thought it would spin backwards in both cases, but I dind't know, that the force of inertia is stronger than the force of gravity (hope my english is english enough) - never really observed the behaviour, as I don't do tricks. I'm sure you know more in this matter, so I'm not going to argue.

Gravity is not an issue in a (even moderately) balanced wheel.

When you move in one direction your wheel (top) will rotate in the direction you are moving. Lifting the wheel into the air will see that wheel continue to rotate in that direction.

1) If you are going forwards - the top of your wheel will move forwards when the wheel is on contact with the ground - loft the wheel into the air and it will continue in that direction (until the inertia is gone).

2) If you are cycling backwards - the top of your wheel will move backwards when the wheel is on contact with the ground - loft the wheel into the air and it will continue in that direction (until the inertia is gone).

. . . . if you record scenario 1) (bike going forwards) and play the video backwards - the wheel (top) will now be going backwards - just like it would be if you actually were cycling backwards . . .

. . . ie: it is no indication of post production / video trickery.

10 to 12 seconds into the video, it can be clearly seen that the tension on the upper chain run is greater than that on the lower.
Go figure.

Yep ! Well spotted !

Fake !!

Woo hoo, I win.

Doh! And I used to be in science class in high school :-) Completely forgot, that the both wheels have to roll in the same direction first. Thanks, Tynan.

Yep, the chain was mentioned above already and it was the first thing we can see (that the bottom is slack). Perhaps that's why my mind suggested the direction of the wheel? :-)

Yep, the chain was mentioned above already and it was the first thing we can see (that the bottom is slack). Perhaps that's why my mind suggested the direction of the wheel? :-)

Yep, the chain is a massive clue, also the way the front wheel leaves the ground is a give-away, it is not dampened in anyway whatsoever - it's acceleration is instant.

Now enough of the analysis, let's find this cyclist and kill him.

It's legit,
just been something stupid like too much time, with this on QT.
Leg movement in slow montion makes it a bit too obvious that the cranks are spinning backwards.
His legs and feet are putting all the pressure on the heels.
**Exhibit A **

Exhibit B

2 Attachments

...and there's a 2nd car.

I see no second car in that,
except the one the camera is pointing directly at.
Help?

Joel Weston on Vimeo

13 to 15, between the windshield and the review mirror

10 to 12 seconds into the video, it can be clearly seen that the tension on the upper chain run is greater than that on the lower.
Go figure.

false, those same frames show the chain wobbling with upper and lower tension, as he pedal. Means nothing.

If you can b bothered download the HD version, it's easier to get the details.

Hats off to them for making a video that is so tantalisingly ambiguous.

Impressive. I'm in the real camp though.

Anyway, he needs a woman

He's on a mission from God. It must be real.

REAL!

There has been a more "undisputable video" of him practicing a while ago when he was learning them:

Juice visiting San Francisco on Vimeo

I don't see what the big deal is...

YouTube- Ratboy

2:04

And that's 2001.

I'm calling that REAL.

Because of the car moving forward in the background and because of the pressure he's applying to the down-stroke of the pedal and pointing his toes with no pressure on the up-stroke.

I'm giving the KID full props for the Fakie Wheelie Fo-sho!

Mike Hinkens - 2008 Leftovers on Vimeo

More proof it can be done with a freewheel, as such there's no reason it can't be done with a fixed wheel.

Also 1.04, http://www.pinkbike.com/video/95501/

Ignore the fact he isn't pedalling whilst going backwards for the majority of the video (He's using a free coaster). The back pedal during the fakie wheelie is to increase his momental without screwing up his balance point.

I'm going with real, because i don't think its that hard to do if you spent a while getting it down, especially on a fixed gear - not that i can do it, but if 14 year ond German girls can after a bit of practice, then i reckon a competent fixed gear freestyler wouldn't have too many problems

Clearly fake, just look at his hat, it is obviously on backwards

On the balance of probabilities, I'm going with real.

Points of contention are...

Chain tension: I can't see on my PC (too jerky), I'll have to pass on being able to judge that. Inconclusive.

T-shirt movement: Just cos its sunny, doesn't mean there isn't a decent breeze.

Never looks backwards: If you watch wire-walkers, they always find a fixed point to look at and stare straight at that. He's just doing the same. If backwards wheelies are that hard, you'd expect them to employ the same sort of techniques. You just have a spotter out of shot watching for cars.

I'm also going for the positioning of the front wheel as it leaves the ground - almost instantly, it's at 90 degrees. When I pull a forwards wheelie, I'm getting the front wheel ready before the front drops - I square up the front wheel, then let the bike go and my weight comes down onto the handlebars. His weight is quite back on the bike as the wheel leaves the floor and it looks like he's instantly twisting to keep balance. When you're dropping out of a wheelie, unless you come down at a stoopid angle, the bike straightens out once both wheels are on the floor, so I'm never fighting to stay perfectly balanced til the very last second. But you'd immediately fight hard to stay balanced as you came UP into the backwards-wheelie.