First Bike

[Kieran24]

Hey y'all, just signed up, was gonna leave it 'till after I got a bike but to be honest I'm stumped. Couple problems I'm experiencing, firstly I have very little cash to spend (£240 preferred but could stretch to about £260), and secondly I've never ridden a trials bike before. This leads me onto my first of probably many questions, what would be more suited to me being 5'10", 125 pounds and a beginner, 20" or 24/26"? (bear in mind that I have previous experience riding BMX)

With my limited/none existent knowledge of trials I've chosen these two bikes as possibilities:

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/...rials_Bike_2008

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/...rials_Bike_2007

I'm swaying more towards the Onza as I reckon it would feel more akin to a BMX and easier to get used to, but I'm also tempted by the M.A.D as I could see the lower toptube and lack of seat allowing for more tuckage and just generally being more roomy.

I've had a google for the Onza and found some/quite a lot of bad reviews on it, but they never seem to give reasons as to why it's a shit bike, no such luck with the M.A.D, seems to me like a less well known make.

So guys, help me choose between those two bikes, suggest any others in my price range or just let me know what type of stuff to look for, cheers.

[Danny Kearns]

Generally any of them bikes are going to be perfectly fine for you. Your height is perfect for riding either stock or mod which is a big advantage. The question is, what do you want from trials ? Do you want to persue your riding career on mod or stock ? You can change at anytime like, but it's always best to make your decision now in my opinion.

Do you have any form of knowledge on Bike-Trials ? Do you know about the different type's of riding ? I'll explain anyways.

Firstly we've got "TGS" (Tap, Gap, Sidehop). Generally the most common form of riding in the trials community today, with it being seperate individual moves and not a connection of a few moves, it makes it more easy to learn, the majority of the time, when doing that type of riding, you notice your improvement by getting an inch ontop of what you thought was your limit, or performing the move smoother/nicer.

Next up we have, "Lines". To be honest, lines can consist of anything, it's generally your TGS, but it's all linked into one motion. So for example, Tap up the wall, 180 pivot on the front wheel, turn on the rear wheel and gap to front on a rail. Thats lines, it's going to be difficult for you to understand if your knew to the community but i'll explain now to make things easier for you in the long run.

Thirdly we have "24" spinny style". Generally recognised in the 24" section bikes, however it is been brought into the 26" side of things. Its basically a mix of bike-trials and bmx. You find this style of riding is more flowy and "bandity" than your average bike-trials. Interesting to do, but very hard to learn.

Lastly we have "Natural". Generally competition based, however people do ride it for fun, this style of riding is completly to any of them i have just listed. Its all in the head in my opinion. It's a base of technical skill, speed and concentration. Natural is all done on "Natural rocks" in quarrys for example. If you attend any YMSA bike-trial round or a british round that will show you everything about Natural riding.

I've picked out a few video's to show you each one of my explainations:

TGS - TGS Video

Lines - Lines Video

24" Spinny Style -

Natural - Natural Style Video

So, Base your view on which bike you wish to choose, by the style of riding you wish to persue your riding career in. Thats the best way to start trials in my opinion.

So take a look at what i've just given you and have a good think. Anymore question's, Giz' a shout

Danny

[Kieran24]

First, the style of riding I'd like to do would be the gaps and sidehops, and I'm sure I could get the knack for finding some decent lines once I've figured the limits of what I can and can't do. The whole spinning thing doesn't appeal to me one bit, same as when I see people doing 360s on BMX I'd much prefer to see huge gaps and drops (probably due to my underlying interest in trials I suppose). I'd maybe end up riding natural every now and then, but there aren't many suitable places round near where I live, but that may change once I start driving early next year and will be able to travel more.

Concerning the whole mod versus stock bit, I could see myself preferring mod, not sure why, but if both sizes would suit me then I guess it's best to go with what I favour most. Do you know with any common faults with the TVee?, as I keep getting mixed messages like 'this bike is awesome, great for beginners ' to 'this bike sucks, it's a piece of shit'.

[c.j]

mod is easier for bmx riders, but stock is a lot more stable (as far as i know!)

i like stock as i ride mtb

danny has ridden both and he knows what the best option is!

so there you go, but it depends what geo you like, ask for details

Edited August 13, 2008 by c.j

[bikeperson45]

Go with stock

[Muel]

I'd have a look on tartybikes.co.uk if I were you, they have the best customer service of anyone I've ever ordered anything from!

I'm 5'11" and 165lbs, and I ride Mod. There are lots of different geometry styles even once you've picked a wheelsize. I've got a long wheelbase with a high bottom bracket, but there are loads to choose from.

If you've only got £240, I wouldn't buy new. You can buy a second hand T-Pro for that, which is a much better bike than a T-Vee or T-Bird.

[bikeperson45]

Can get very good deals secondhand. Have you looked at the Onza Spyrogyra?

Can get for about £250 new

[George ZHI]

Have a look around TartyBikes. I think a beginner would most suit a 20" bike, so possibly the T-Bird or T-Vee mite be your best bet mate. x

[Kyle G]

Would also recommend looking on tartybikes, Winstanleys dont have the best customer support infact I dont think they have ever replyed to any emails i've sent them.

[Kieran24]

I'd have a look on tartybikes.co.uk if I were you, they have the best customer service of anyone I've ever ordered anything from!

I'm 5'11" and 165lbs, and I ride Mod. There are lots of different geometry styles even once you've picked a wheelsize. I've got a long wheelbase with a high bottom bracket, but there are loads to choose from.

If you've only got £240, I wouldn't buy new. You can buy a second hand T-Pro for that, which is a much better bike than a T-Vee or T-Bird.

I had quick look on eBay and found a T-Pro for £200, but it had a few dents in the downtube and a crack developing which I wouldn't be willing to risk. The main reason for me wanting to buy new is because it will be my first bike, if I don't like it I have more chance of getting my money back and if something f**ks up it'll be easier to get it replaced. Did also find this on eBay, seems like a good deal to me as all I'd need to buy is a new lever and even after that'd I'd still be saving a lot of cash. Would this one be okay?

Can get very good deals secondhand. Have you looked at the Onza Spyrogyra?

Can get for about £250 new

I did have a look at it, but I think I'd prefer a mod so I'm pretty much set on that now.

Have a look around TartyBikes. I think a beginner would most suit a 20" bike, so possibly the T-Bird or T-Vee mite be your best bet mate. x

I can get the T-Bird on Winstanleys for £270 which I'd most likely be able to stretch to.

Would also recommend looking on tartybikes, Winstanleys dont have the best customer support infact I dont think they have ever replyed to any emails i've sent them.

Indeed I've heard a lot of bad things about them, mainly long delivery times which I experienced first hand when I bought my BMX from there, but something like that I'm willing to put up with when they're usually saving me a fair bit compared to competitors prices.