Wheelie bikes are also called Muscle bikes, High-Riser bikes, Spyder bikes and Banana bikes. Designed in the 1960’s to resemble the Chopper motorcycles with ape hanger handlebars (wide, easy to see through, with high grips), banana seat with sissy bars
(long seats that could accommodate a second rider with a metal backrest at the rear) and 16-20 inch wheels (the larger one in the back). Al Fritz designed the Schwinn Sting-Ray which was released in 1963, other companies, like Sears, would follow upon their success. I got a Sears Spyder bike for Chistmas in the 60’s and it was my favorite.
I could easily do wheelies but I was really into jumps. My grandfather (Doc Mize) would help me build cool ramps, in his yard, for some great jumps. The sissy bar was essential and kept me from flipping off the rear of the bike. I also liked riding in the woods and down steep hills around his pasture. For a future birthday I received a speedometer which soon lead to the end of that bike. I was riding down the hill, in front of my house , in Alpharetta Georgia, pedaling as fast as possible to get high speeds.
One day, I lost control on the bridge, in some sand, and had a wreck that bent the frame of the bike and broke my collar bone. My Dad was really great at fixing things but could never get this bike to work right again!
