Is My Non-trials-specific Bike Holding Me Back?

[scary_jeff]

Hi. I did a forum search for this, and only found something from 2 years ago that I thought best not to resurrect.

Anyway, My current bike (DMR Trailstar, Z1 forks) is the only bike I've really tried any 'trials' on. I would say I can do most tricks on a micro scale.. anything over 18 inches high/wide is too big for me to get up/across. The forks weigh 5.5 pounds, the frame weighs 6 pounds (according to google, it's not one of the newer lighter ones), and I weigh less than 12 stone at 6'2". I just had a go on it for the first time in a few weeks to try and copy some techniques I saw on youtube, and it all feels like so much effort. I probably haven't got any better at trials for at least two years. OK I only ride it once every few weeks, but that's mainly because trying to do any trials on it doesn't end up being that much fun. I'll happily keep trying the same obstacle for 10-15 minutes, but all I end up with is aching arms from yanking on the bars, having failed to do whatever I was trying

So I was thinking of getting either a stock or 24" trials bike. I'm just really wondering if I can expect to be able to improve that much. I plan to ride it a few times a week as an after work activity making the most of the sun. I don't know anyone with a trials bike to have a go on. Basically, does getting a proper bike sound like a giant waste of time for me given that I don't seem to be able to improve on my current bike? Or is my current bike such a complete disaster for trials that it is clearly holding me back?

[staphan]

You would definitely be able to do much more on a trials bike so I say go for it, look around on a couple of bikes and try them out.

[scary_jeff]

Well, while spending half the waking hours scouring the forums/ebay/local classifieds for an inspired, I've also been trying to get out on my current bike. Just had a bit of success with trying to transfer from front wheel to back without both wheels being on the grrund inbetween (if that makes sense, it's practice for dropping off things starting with front wheel pivot), and some sidehopping. What am I doing wrong with sidehopping if I always end up having to put my left foot down (I can only really do it to the left)? If I don't lean as much to the left, my back wheel doesn't make it sideways enough to actually land on the wall... I'm doing it all in one motion, as I can't seem to stand on the back wheel doing little hops like people on youtube; I either end up going miles backwards each hop, or have to pedal, which isn't great when trying to line up for a sidehop. I can bounce on the spot fine on the unicylce... I guess it's a lot easier when your feet are at axle level.

One more question, everything from my finger tips right round my shoulders to the other fingertips is now aching, so in 'problem page' style, 'am I normal??'

[scary_jeff]

So, anyone got any tips for me? What can I try to not end up leaning too far over once I'm up the wall?

Could the problem be caused by me not starting by hopping on the back wheel, and instead trying to do the whole thing on one movement?

[Sam Nichols]

First thing I will say is 'yes' the bike you are practicing on will be hindering you no end! You say Z1 forks, are these the Z1 Drop Offs? If so I used to run these on my downhill bike years ago, no wonder you're aching!

You kinda have two options really.. modify your current bike a little (which will ultimately be a waste of money!) or buy something second hand.

Basically when you buy a trials bike you aren't simply buying a bike that has rigid forks and no saddle! The geometry is suited to sitting on the back wheel, you mention you cant hold the bike on the back wheel before side hopping, this is partly technique but also a lot to do with the geometry of your bike and the weight of the front end.

A proper trials bike won't instantly enable you to back wheel high walls and gap long distances BUT it will allow you to progress faster. You probably could continue how you are and maybe get an extra inch of hight/distance but as you said, it's no fun.

What's your budget? Don't bother buying anything new or anything in good condition, just buy something cheap and cheerful that if 6months down the line you stop riding it you won't have lost much money.

I seriously wouldn't bother messing about spending money on your bike it will just be a money pit.

Oh and as for the sidehop, lean your bike a tiny bit to the left and hang your ass out to the right.. like this

Don't worry if you can only hop to the left by the way, most riders are the same!

[scary_jeff]

Excellent, thanks for the advice! The forks aren't the drop offs, they were more expensive I think (back in 2000)... they are Z1 CR. Not my bike but I found a picture here: http://www.bikenews.it/mercatino/FSR1.jpg . Hah, that bike looks SO old!

I couldn't really try the sidehop wall today because there were 30mph+ winds in that spot (well I did try but I got blown over). However, someone put a pallet in these ww2 ruins I go to, so I tried putting the pallet against a wall to try and get up the wall. I managed it after about 50 tries, really pretty rewarding learning the weight transfer and ending up being flung into the air If I want to eventually get up the same wall without the pallet, I guess I need to make the pallet steeper and steeper? I would say I had it at about 15 degrees from vertical, and the ground slopes up towards the wall at about 15 degrees as well.

Next question, when I get a trials bike, will the rigid forks make this sort of thing easier or harder? I couldn't tell if my forks were just absorbing energy, wasting it, or if they were recoiling and helping me out. Also, I'm definitely taking some chain links out. My chain either came off at the front, went up a few gears at the back, or (usually) both, pretty much every time I tried the wall :/ The rear mech is a bit stiff as well, so I'll try and sort that out to.

[CC12345678910]

Will buying a proper bike help you out? Er yeah, no end. and if that pic is sommet like ur riding now no wonder u can't do much. to be honest i'm fairly amazed u can do that much. Find a good bike and you should be very good because it sounds like u have got the basic bike control already nailed.

BTW have u thought about buying a mod? even the type of ancient monty that gets passed around for 50 quid should suit you're purpose.

Edited May 18, 2009 by CC12345678910

[scary_jeff]

Will buying a proper bike help you out? Er yeah, no end. and if that pic is sommet like ur riding now no wonder u can't do much. to be honest i'm fairly amazed u can do that much. Find a good bike and you should be very good because it sounds like u have got the basic bike control already nailed.

BTW have u thought about buying a mod? even the type of ancient monty that gets passed around for 50 quid should suit you're purpose.

Hah, no it's not that bad! That was just some random picture I found on google to show nichols_sam what the forks were. I included a picture of my bike this time, although I've accepted now that a trials bike will help me... I've just sort of hijacked my own thread to ask questions about learning new stuff. I have actually had a go on a mod a few years ago, but it just feels too weird for me, and at 6'2" I felt a bit stupid on it (no offence to any tall mod riders intended! ). Thanks for the reply though.

btw, those noname V8 copies have lasted over 10 years now