New to trials riding ?

[Ablumke]

backgroung - did alot of freestyle riding in late 80's early 90's...didn't ride bike for about 10 years. I've been Mountain biking for a couple years mostly XC, but I love tech and super tech stuff.

i would like to get a bike that I could do more trials like riding on to intro into the sport. Any ideas on what to get for a ride, I can build up a bike easily enough if its the best option. I'm a bigger guy so strength woudl be a consideration for the frame, wheels and brakes.

The thread is pretty open ended so go how you want on it, i'm just looking for some info from other potential converts or multi-type bike riders.

[eturt9]

Depends on if this is your bike that most of your riding is done on. If you have other bikes already and a trials bike will be a trials only bike.. definately go for a full trials specific set up. it'll save you a lot of hassel in the long run.. .

planet x made some decent street trials frames that a lot of guys like especially if you've done a lot of bmx in the past. I'm not sure where to get one now.

Webcyclery is getting a new shipment of complete trials bikes in. http://www.webcyclery.com/product.php?productid=17630&cat=409&page=1
i recommend for you, the echo control. Buying a complete new bike like this is definately the best bet, besides perhaps looking for a nice used one on observedtrials.net. You definately won't have to worry about strength.

It really depends how much you are looking to spend, what you want to dowith it.

there is a lot more to be said. Perhaps somebody else will finish where i left off.

[manual63]

I have a similar background as you do. Trials is pretty crazy these days, so it really depends on how far you want to take this. In the 80's freestyle had a lot of hopping. I can hop my bike better than I can walk....:laugh:

My On-One is a singlespeed fully rigid bike, meaning no suspension fork. It actually works fairly well for a lot of trials type moves, but it also is my main XC ride. I rode a couple of trials bikes a few months back and they are....well...very odd to ride. The bikes are designed to be mostly balanced on the rear wheel and they will take some time to get used to. So if you plan to do only trials riding on that bike, it's probably a good investment. If you are just starting out and also like to do XC riding and have the BMX background you do, I strongly suggest the Singlespeed rigid plan at first. Then later as you get your skills more dialed, you can decide if you want to do "hardcore" trials......and yes....it is a "hardcore" sport! You have to be totally commited to it to get good at it.

[Ablumke]

cool thanks for the insight. Yeah i ahve several other bikes for XC, SS, FS, rigid etc so this would be another ride for the stable.

i'll check out those sites listed above and go from there.

[manual63]

i'll check out those sites listed above and go from there.

See if you can meet with some of the riders on here and try their bikes. You have a lot of options Stock, Mod....20" or 26" wheels, gears?? I have a 20" Mod bike that I hardly ride...but it seems more agile to me than a 26" wheel.

[eturt9]

I don't know how tall you are, but if you say your heavy, i assume tall too. Although there is not limit for height on a mod, a stock bike may be better suited for you.

but, try out someones dedicated trials bike. XC type geo is capable of some trials riding but there are many limitations and parts break a lot and become annoying.

But if you ever want to ride your other bikes again, don't get too into trials or you will be addicted and your trials bike will be all that you ride.

[Trialsdave]

or, you could hang out with me for a while riding my bike. gimme a call at 761-0236. I'm always up for biking.

[SpecHR55]

But if you ever want to ride your other bikes again, don't get too into trials or you will be addicted and your trials bike will be all that you ride.

Your saying that like its a bad thing.:fool:
I wish i was addicted to trials.:)

[Trialsaddict]

or, you could hang out with me for a while riding my bike. gimme a call at 761-0236. I'm always up for biking.

Call Dave. Go ride with him too. He is reallllly good and will teach you a lot. So far this year, he has beat me in every comp. WTF! ;)

Seriously though, there are riders in your area that can get you started. Come to the TC to ride with others as we (hopefully) have some group rides again soon.

[Trialsdave]

Well, i'm goin out for a ride. Should be intersting, havnt rode in 2-3 weeks.

[Trialsdave]

Any interest in riding today?

[Trialsaddict]

Any interest in riding today?

Yeah, but I can't yet.

[scaley187]

So I have a question on the same lines and thought instead of posting a new thread I'd put it here. I am also interested in getting into trials riding, have been MTB biking for a while, and am looking at building/getting a bike for trials riding.

I've read the previous suggestions in this post and am going to be looking at a specific bike for trials since I won't be using it for anything else. Cost is somewhat of an issue and I was thinking about just getting a small stock MTB frame and then making the mods. I wanted to ask if anyone has suggestions or somewhere to get relatively cheap frame that is good for this? If necessary I can build over time if it makes more sense. I'd seen the woodman frames - seemed nice.

Also, on this note, I have found a lot of discussion about styles of frames, mod vs. stock, etc - but what is the general thought on frame size? I am 5' 10", ride an 18" MTB so was assuming something like a 15" frame with a steep top tube angle would work if I was to go with a stock MTB bike? Any suggestions are great.

[Trialsdave]

I started hopping and riding trials on a Schwinn Homegrown xc bike. Then I picked up a Azonic DS frame and used that then, I finally got a trials specific frame. You can work on the basic motions on a xc bike however, I wouldnt suggest going too crazy with it due to the strength issue. Most of the current trials bikes you can pick up for a pretty good price used or new. I would still try out a more trialsy frame before making the jump and spending the money on a true trials setup(unless you like it that much). I'm gonna try to make it to the cities tonight for the groupie ride. My cell number is a few posts down. If you will be there or would be intersted in trying my bike gimme a call.

[toyota200x]

Well I have a trials frame that I am trying to get rid of. It is a 2003 brisa B26D. I learned all the basics on the frame and loved it. It is a very good all around bike if you want to ride street and then ride some natural too.
I am asking $150 and I also have a rigid fork for an extra $20. PM me if anyone is interested.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/toyota200x/brisa_32.jpg

[GRUMPY]

That is a good deal.

[scaley187]

I'm gonna try to make it to the cities tonight for the groupie ride. My cell number is a few posts down. If you will be there or would be intersted in trying my bike gimme a call.

Hey Dave, thanks for the invite and if grad school didn't have me chained to the desk tonight I'd try to take you up on the offer! Oh, an thanks for posting the pic of your frame Drew - this is exactly why I love the MORC forum! So, based on your guys' comments I assume I'm thinking somewhat correct about frame size? 15"-ish? Or is it not sized this way at all?

[toyota200x]

Hey Dave, thanks for the invite and if grad school didn't have me chained to the desk tonight I'd try to take you up on the offer! Oh, an thanks for posting the pic of your frame Drew - this is exactly why I love the MORC forum! So, based on your guys' comments I assume I'm thinking somewhat correct about frame size? 15"-ish? Or is it not sized this way at all?

Trials frames aren't really measured by the seat tube sense most don't have one. They are measured by the length from the front axle to the rear axle. (this kinda depends on what fork you have) With the Brisa fork, this bike is 1040mm or so. It is considered a short bike by trials standards but 3 years ago it would have been a longer bike. (trials has been changing a lot in the last few years) I never felt cramped on the bike and I love that a person can pull it up into a manual without a ton of effort. Here is a pic of when the bike was built up.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/toyota200x/pics%202/IMG_1289.jpg