Trials bike size?

[tld_06]

Hi,
Yeah I know theres plenty of threads around with trials bikes in them, but what I want to know is what size trials bike should I start off on, 20" or 26"?

I was thinking of a Monty 230 Urban R in 26's, but Can't find any stores in Australia who stock them:confused:

Any help appreciated,
Winna

[Povi]

most likely you will not be able to get exactly what you want in australia.
look for a second hand bike that will be cheap and easy for you as a beginner.
there is a constant debate on whether to learn on 20" or 26", and it all comes down to what you feel more comfortable on.

also go to www.observedtrials.net for "For Sale" and "Australia" sections

[Povi]

if the picture in your avatar is your bike, that is great for learning the very basics needed to progress in trials. small XC bikes and DJ bikes are perfect to learn to balance, trackstand, pivot, rock, and other moves that dont recquire rear wheel skills, which come in when you purchase a dedicated trials bike

[jda]

Trials shops in Australia are online because the market is too small to pay leases on shops.
Try www.biketrialsaustralia.com or www.trialshive.com or www.expressivebikes.com and there is a monty dealer too, his name is Steve Huxter but I'm not sure what his website is.

[Povi]

you can PM Huxter on observedtrials.net

[tld_06]

Ok thanks for that, I know theres plenty of threads, but I want to make it clear that my situation is different.

What bike! the age old question. I have a 2007 STP0 (yeah I know) but want a full on trials bike.

[donkay]

How could you NOT know Huxter's website!!!
www.Monty.com.au

and i don't know if pm-ing huxter via observedtrials would be better than his personal email from his website as i don't think he visits the forum that much? but I may be wrong

and yes, in the end all comes in with which bike you're comfortable on :)

[tld_06]

Well see the problem with that theory is that I don't know ANYONE with a trials bike to be able to try or sit on:p

[Povi]

how much can you do on the stp?

[tld_06]

Not much, I've got pretty good balance and I've got a pretty good land

[Povi]

work on more stuff on that bike, and then after you feel greatly confident with what you can do, consider buying a trials bike

[Gronk]

Huxter is very good to deal with, he is friendly and gave me a good deal on some bars/stem. But also look at trialshive.com

I don't wanna hijack this thread, but speaking of bike sizes, I have always been curious as to the difference between short and long stock frames. Is it simply a matter of the size of the rider, i.e. tall riders use long frames and shorter riders use short frames? Or is there more to it than that?

[gbowen444]

I don't wanna hijack this thread, but speaking of bike sizes, I have always been curious as to the difference between short and long stock frames. Is it simply a matter of the size of the rider, i.e. tall riders use long frames and shorter riders use short frames? Or is there more to it than that?

I am not sure that i really understand it that well either but it is more than just rider size. Longer bikes are better for UCI style riding as the longer reach allows you to bridge/gap further. Also longer bikes often have a higher BB for more clearance.

[Gronk]

Yeah I was actually thinking maybe I should have bought a short frame, even though I'm 6' tall. I know it's only 20mm or so, but I'm learning the basics on a mod now, and even though my regular mtn bike is pretty big, the maneuverability of a shorter frame might be an advantage. I'm not too worried about UCI only riding, I'll happily land on my pedals, bashguard and anything I can use to help me clamber up something :D

[jda]

I'm 5'7" and ride an 1100 wheelbase Kot MS2, I suggest you try long and short bikes and see which suits your style more, I started off riding a 1050 and then went 1065, then 1075 and now 1100 wheelbase so.......?
I prefer the long bike, I find I can do more on it but also the BB is higher and the headangle is slacker so it doesn't feel any longer than my previous bikes for reach, just has a longer wheelbase.
www.tartybikes.co.uk use a measurement from the bb to the top of the headtube to size the bikes they sell, I think this is a very usefull measurement and helped me a lot when buying my latest bike. For e.g. this distance on my 1075 Echo pure was the same as my 1100 Kot MS2, so the bike feels the same to ride almost.