New to trials

[hippyz]

hi i was thinking of doing trials because im bored with downhill. now i want to know whether to buy a bike with suspension if so how much (would be preferable) is 26" better cause that what ive been ridin so wont be much different and should i have a seat. also were are good places to session ie school or other places. also ill be buying a full bike if so what one.

[Gronk]

Being new to trials myself, I recently had all these exact questions running through my head... so I'll part what little useful info I can.

Firstly, NO suspension. You want full rigid, forks and frame. Suspension makes everything harder. Also there are generally two types of trials bikes, stock and mod. Stocks have 26" wheels like your current mtb and mods have 20", looking more like bmx bikes. While 'generally' people say if you come from a mtb background, ride a stock, and if from bmx get a mod. This rule is certainly not set in stone though, I ride mtb and I bought a mod. It feels a little odd at first but they are also 'generally' considered easier to learn on.

Where to ride? Well that depends on your skill level. When you are learning you can have a full session in your garage. Learning the basics does not require anything beyond a flat piece of ground. After that, treat it like any other bike thing, start small/easy and build up. Personally I ride at the local primary school as there are lots of low level bench seats and various other easythings for me to fall off and swear at.

Also read stuff and find videos. Places like observedtrials.net is a good place to start.

Good luck!

[gbowen444]

hi i was thinking of doing trials because im bored with downhill. now i want to know whether to buy a bike with suspension if so how much (would be preferable) is 26" better cause that what ive been ridin so wont be much different and should i have a seat. also were are good places to session ie school or other places. also ill be buying a full bike if so what one.

Rigid is better for trials like Gronk said. You lose control with suspension compression so no serious trials bike has it. Mods are generally cheaper and a good way to start by just go with whatever you are comfortable with or can afford. I came from an MTB background and after playing around on a STP trying trials for 3 months or so, i got a stock.

Seats are optional but like suspension no serious trials specific bike comes with a seat. They get in the way and while it is nice riding from spot to spot, with a single 22 to 18 gear ratio or similar you are never going to go that far.

Having a trials specific frame will increase the speed you learn immensely but you can learn the basics on most MTBs with the seat down. As for where to do it, anywhere you can find obstacles. you wont need much more than a curb at first but after that look for graduated walls, seats, rocks, gaps.... anything.

Where are you based anyway? Try to find other riders in your area. It makes a huge huge difference riding with people better than you.

[gbowen444]

Forgot to mention, this may seem obvious, but get some shin pads. Trials will rip you shins to sheds on the pedals time and time again. Knee pads aren't really required but some (661 veggie) shin guards are worth their weight in flesh...

[hippyz]

im based in the lower blue moutains so anyone there tell me and im riding a 07 sashquash to learn the basics. it practicing wheeling important in trials for balance and what is agood hieght for bunnyhopping. also i was practicing trackstanding and i held it for 15 seconds, whats a decent time for it. also i was looking to spend about $300 to $450 on a starte bike. i was thinking of buying second hand but i was warned of it.

[markfak]

I've been into urban riding for ages, if you don't want to waste your time grab Ryan Leech "Art of Trials" If your serious about boosting your tricks and having manuals and coaster wheelies explained in a way that you just get. Check out his DVD it's all U need.

[Mahoney_007]

im based in the lower blue moutains so anyone there tell me and im riding a 07 sashquash to learn the basics. it practicing wheeling important in trials for balance and what is agood hieght for bunnyhopping. also i was practicing trackstanding and i held it for 15 seconds, whats a decent time for it. also i was looking to spend about $300 to $450 on a starte bike. i was thinking of buying second hand but i was warned of it.


You'd be suprised how much you can get that sassie to do, albeit its going to be tough but dont let anyone tell you, "you'll never pedal kick that". Keep the trackstands cranking get that sucker on one wheel and learn to bounce it around, it'll take freaking ages but the first time you nail a little gap in front of your mates you'll be stoked.

Trials bikes wont suddenly make you know how to ride trials, and 350 or 400 will only get you an entry level bike. Now Im no expert but ive ridden a thrashed out rhino and a rather expensive echo and I can tell you id rather keep trialsing on my stuff than ride the cheaper bike anyday.


Heres a shot from last year sometime, just to show you a DJ frame will stand up if you make it.

[-DAvo]

and another one of trav ;)

[Disturbed.Rider]

and another one of trav ;)

2 AM...wtf?


I'm getting into trials myself and am currantly just doing everything on my STP and altough its not easy I can pedal kick it like pro...I do want to get a specific bike though.

One thing, I wouldn't risk cable brakes, its not worth it. Also rim brakes are much better cause they (unlike my juicys) wont heat up and stop working....which, as you can imagine isn't a good situation.




http://www.trashzen.com <----would never of learnt pedal kicks with out it.



p.s.
No hardcore riders use seats or suspension?
What about Ryan Leech? He uses both, and I'd say he is one of if not THE best techo rider in the world.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNMK5PO8aD8

[fatass]

dont bother with pedal kicks for a while, until you can trackie for about 45 sec. then give it a go. Getting the basics down (pivots from a standstill) especially nose pivots is the way to go.

[gbowen444]

p.s.
No hardcore riders use seats or suspension?
What about Ryan Leech? He uses both, and I'd say he is one of if not THE best techo rider in the world.

That is exactly what i thought before getting into trials. He gets the most publicity and hype right? Truth is though that while Ryan Leech has his niche and is good at very tech balancing stuff he is no where near the best rider in the world. When you look at people like Kenny Bealey, Vincent Hermance, Thomas Ohler, TRA he is completely out classed. Part of that is the type of bike he rides (he would be better if he didn't have a seat and suspension).

Check out some of the videos at http://www.observedtrials.net/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=9 if you don't believe me and you will soon realize that Ryan isn't anywhere near the top riders and is more about style than anything.

[Disturbed.Rider]

That is exactly what i thought before getting into trials. He gets the most publicity and hype right? Truth is though that while Ryan Leech has his niche and is good at very tech balancing stuff he is no where near the best rider in the world. When you look at people like Kenny Bealey, Vincent Hermance, Thomas Ohler, TRA he is completely out classed. Part of that is the type of bike he rides (he would be better if he didn't have a seat and suspension).

Check out some of the videos at http://www.observedtrials.net/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=9 if you don't believe me and you will soon realize that Ryan isn't anywhere near the top riders and is more about style than anything.




I said 'techo rider' not trials rider.
If Mr. Leech was on a 3 kg stock then would pwn those guys, but hes not and the fact is that while he may not have the [trials] style that they do, I dont see them getting out to places like Prague and riding. They (normaly) stay in thier closed courses and rock gardens, while Leech is out there being public.



Its much the same as the WNBA/NBA, is it more entertaining to watch good fundamentels or to watch 360 slam dunks?

Is it more entertaining to watch some guy hopping around on a closed course to watch some one else shredding the streets?

[dain2772]

I said 'techo rider' not trials rider.
If Mr. Leech was on a 3 kg stock then would pwn those guys, but hes not and the fact is that while he may not have the [trials] style that they do, I dont see them getting out to places like Prague and riding. They (normaly) stay in thier closed courses and rock gardens, while Leech is out there being public.



Its much the same as the WNBA/NBA, is it more entertaining to watch good fundamentels or to watch 360 slam dunks?

Is it more entertaining to watch some guy hopping around on a closed course to watch some one else shredding the streets?

I second the purchase of the 'Art of Trials' DVD - it is awesome.

Ryan is not so much a 'competition' trials rider, rather someone who does urban style riding with trials type skills. All I can say is that he is probably one of only about 2-3 names in trials that I have heard of, so he must be doing something right - although he is not a strict/hardcore trials rider.

[gbowen444]

I said 'techo rider' not trials rider.
If Mr. Leech was on a 3 kg stock then would pwn those guys, but hes not and the fact is that while he may not have the [trials] style that they do, I dont see them getting out to places like Prague and riding. They (normaly) stay in thier closed courses and rock gardens, while Leech is out there being public.


Sorry i thought as this was the trials section you were talking about trials riding. As for not getting out there, again have a look at some of the videos here http://www.observedtrials.net/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=9 and you will see plenty of riders "getting out there". The fact is though, that these guys aren't sponsored by Norco and ride a new school trials bike and that is why no-one has heard of them or put them in a section in ROAM. Anyway what does riding in Prague have to do with anything? Is Prague an especially hard place to ride or something?

...All I can say is that he is probably one of only about 2-3 names in trials that I have heard of, so he must be doing something right

Absolutely agree that is a very good point. He is the reason I (and I think many other people) got into trials and that is no small thing.

[Disturbed.Rider]

I spose in the end it all comes down to how you define 'trials' riding as opposed to just riding in a technical way.


For example when I go out and ride street (on my street bike) I use a plethora of trials moves but I'm not actualy riding trials.

Simerlarly if I were to buy a trials bike and go to the skate park with it I wouldnt actualy be doing trials would I?

[jda]

If Mr. Leech was on a 3 kg stock then would pwn those guys, but hes not and the fact is that while he may not have the [trials] style that they do, I dont see them getting out to places like Prague and riding. They (normaly) stay in thier closed courses and rock gardens, while Leech is out there being public.

Ryan leech is a very skilled rider and I am a big fan of what he does for the sport, he has amazing balance and a lot of skill but it wouldn't matter what bike he was riding he would still get smashed by riders such as Kenny Bealey, Vincent Hermance, Thomas Ohler, TRA as gbowen444 mentioned, it wouldn't matter wether it was a competition or just a street session or whatever, he would still get smashed!

[Disturbed.Rider]

Ryan leech is a very skilled rider and I am a big fan of what he does for the sport, he has amazing balance and a lot of skill but it wouldn't matter what bike he was riding he would still get smashed by riders such as Kenny Bealey, Vincent Hermance, Thomas Ohler, TRA as gbowen444 mentioned, it wouldn't matter wether it was a competition or just a street session or whatever, he would still get smashed!


Maby so, but type their names into you tube and see how many hits you get.

[stocktrials]

if you want to have a look at the trials scene in australia i recommend you get the dvd, TRIALS IS DEAD.

available thru black phoenix films at your lbs



more fun than ryan leech on a stick