Trials, anyone?

[NiceItalianBoy]

Does anyone here ride trials? If so, where would you recommend I look for tips or instruction.

This type of riding has always interested me. Thanks for any help.

[Rock Star]

I don't know much about trials. I do like to clear the tough sections of trail without a dab as often as I can. I saw Hans Rey riding up and all over a car once. Amazing.

A google search came up with this;

http://www.observedtrials.net/

Maybe a good place to start looking for information.

[NiceItalianBoy]

The reason I'm interested in trials skills is to increase my trail riding and dirt jumping skills. Hans Rey is in a class all his own; he's gifted.

[mootsguy]

All I know about trials riding is that some of those folks are lucky enough to actually ride this beauty:

http://www.adamantbike.com/IMAGE/bike-a3/a3-02-gld.jpg

[mimbresman]

One of my favorite races in the USA was a multi-stage mtn bike race with one of the stages being a "Scot-Trials" run. Still technical enough put you on edge. Fun stuff!
I say practice trackstands and hopping up curbs sideway and riding up stairs, and you'll be on your way.

[steel-s-real]

Yeah, Trials is an amazing sport....any GOOGLE search of the sport will do....the same search will show the sites with the How to's with text, videos ,etc...

Hans Rey , Ot Pi, Ryan Leech also great searches....

Everybody can benefit from some simple trials practice!!!!

I have found that just putting your seat down, and maybe some flat BMX type pedals, trying track stands, rolling backwards, front brake pivots, etc will do miracles to your balance and riding skills....

BTW check out the stock adamant a1 over at webcyclery and DROOLLLLL at a proper trials machine!!!!

[minus9]

http://velospace.org/files/yaabaa.jpg
http://velospace.org/files/planetx.jpg

Two of my trials bikes... Lots of fun :)

[NiceItalianBoy]

Minus9,
Is that a Planet X Pitbull frame? I almost bought that frame but chose the Azonic Steelhead instead.
-NiceItalianBoy

[catzilla]

Here go my trials bike:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/olavhamfist/Trials%20Fun/DSC03697.jpg

In addition to the bike-trails website linked above, I've found information here:

http://www.trials-online.com/

I'm still new at the hoppity-hoppity bike, which either makes me poor at giving you advice, or great at it. I'm not sure which.

If you're really only looking to increase your trail skills, you might be best off practicing balance moves on your hardtail. In my opinion, nothing will improve your skills like mastering a trackstand. That's where it all starts.

So, yeah, ask away and I'll answer anything I can, but I won't guarantee that it'll be right. Or even coherent.

If'n you're interested, here's a bit of online rambling I did about the most astounding aspect of trials.

http://onthetrail.imbatools.com/?p=63

[minus9]

Minus9,
Is that a Planet X Pitbull frame? I almost bought that frame but chose the Azonic Steelhead instead.
-NiceItalianBoy

It's a Planet X Alibongo. Trials geometry, a bit different than the Pitbull.

[NiceItalianBoy]

minus9,

Frame geometry has always interested me. A few degrees here and there and a bicycle is in a competely different category.

I chose the Steelhead frame by Azonic because it seemed like a happy medium between dirt jumping and trials.

By the way, I like your bicycles.

[minus9]

Had this one for a while as well.

http://velospace.org/files/GU.jpg

[minus9]

Pick up the Ryan Leech video "Mastering the Art of Trials". It's a good way to figure out the fundamentals if you don't have someone to learn from/practice with...

http://adrenalinefilms.ca/images/mastering-the-art-of-trials.jpg

[Old Wrench]

You can view most of that video on "youtube."

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRcKbxbbmTA&feature=related

You will see other segments on the right.

also check out www.trialsin.com

[RacerK]

Trials bikes look so damn cool.