Matt, I don't mind what label myself and other go under for the type of bikes being ridden, I call myself a trials rider because the most of my riding falls under that category. the thing that grinds my gears is when I see people claim that they are the proper trials riders and people like Danny are almost cast as outsiders.
What I want to know is when was the decision made about who or what makes a rider a proper trials rider or a fake one? It seems to be a pretty recent development, perhaps people never saw trials when people were winning comps on bikes with seats and gears?
Lets talk about the Trials kings.....were they trials riders? I am pretty sure most (everyone?) would say yes despite the fact they hardly rode comps and were doing spins, manuals, stoppies, x-ups etc way before people had heard of Mr Macaskill or 24" bikes.
Another thing I notice is that a lot of comp riders (especially the Euro guys) can be seen doing things like one handers when on the back wheel, crank flips and stuff when messing around, why is that acceptable and a tailwhip not?
Like I said, I don't mind what label we are, but will the people who think trials is only comp riding with no seats please stop acting like you are more legit than the rest of us.
Anyway, some of the street skills pay off in comps, take the last world champs for example, the sections had kickers in them, Gilles is an amazing rider, but he couldn't ride the kickers for shit. Kenny on the other hand rides street as well as comps, has a much more rounded riding style and crushed Gilles that day. When is a particular skill on a bike not worth having? When should a rider think "I have learned enough moves, I don't need to learn any more"? Trials is a challenge, the moment you stop wanting to learn new stuff is the moment you are failing to be a trials rider.