Dave Anscombe Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 tgs is just a way of life.........tgs for the win Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greetings Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 TGS will always be popular. It's like the basics of trials. That's pretty much it. TGS is the easiest form of trials and the one you learn first. My average ride consists of what you'd call TGS but that's just because there's no sensible natural nearby. I'd happily trade never riding walls again for some good natural spots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 when you kick off a 12 ft wall over a spikey council fence over a road, landing and ur bike creaks to the very limit, You want some grease on there But nah, I can fully see where you're coming from. Back in the day I used to be purely about TGS shit (although did very few sidehops apart from a little period where I just made an effort to learn them - usually just did taps, backwheels, gaps, to fronts and that sorta thing) 'cos that's all I had to ride by me - just a selection of walls that went from about 20" high to 54" high (measured that shit). I pretty much just spent my entire time back then learning stuff on the small bit then progressing it further along that wall, and occasionally we'd go ride somewhere new and I'd try and push myself more there too to try and see if I could get a bit higher/better. Back then I didn't really think of riding as being a 'fun' thing, it was more satisfying in that I was completing a challenge. I just found I got pretty bored of it, not really helped by the fact I'd sort of done the biggest (realistically possible, at least) stuff in my town, so there wasn't really anywhere to go from that. I started doing spins and other tricks in my riding because it was a new challenge, then eventually went on to BMX which I did find genuinely fun to do. It's the same with my 24 now - it's just really enjoyable to ride and puts a smile on my face which is why I'm into riding it now. On my 'proper' trials bike I enjoy trying to go bigger, trying to do tech stuff and just doing that kinda thing, but again that's more of a sense of accomplishment in terms of "I managed to get over that rock" rather than being actually fun. Anyways - if you're still into TGS stuff then fair enough I guess, it's just when TGS becomes purely 'S' that it gets pretty whack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD™ Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 That's pretty much it. TGS is the easiest form of trials and the one you learn first. My average ride consists of what you'd call TGS but that's just because there's no sensible natural nearby. I'd happily trade never riding walls again for some good natural spots Sorry, but that's absolutely ridiculous in my opinion. Although these days people will see a trials video and decide to do that and then learn these 'basic' 3 moves, how can it be the case that you can't find something to bunnyhop over, or some lines to put together. Look at 2 places, decide to go from one to the other and then see whether there's a route that you can do that gets you from A to B. Coming from someone with such deep roots in the trials community, I'd have thought you'd have been one of the first to jump up and say that limiting yourself to 3 moves is laughable. Trials, in it's basic form (to me) is about having skills on a bike, and skillfully getting from one side of a set of obstacles (whether marked or just for fun) to the other. Once that's done, try it in different ways that are fun. Given the rich and long history that trials has, to say that TGS is the basics/basis is just plain bollocks. I'll get off my soapbox now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Sorry, but that's absolutely ridiculous in my opinion. Although these days people will see a trials video and decide to do that and then learn these 'basic' 3 moves, how can it be the case that you can't find something to bunnyhop over, or some lines to put together. Look at 2 places, decide to go from one to the other and then see whether there's a route that you can do that gets you from A to B. Coming from someone with such deep roots in the trials community, I'd have thought you'd have been one of the first to jump up and say that limiting yourself to 3 moves is laughable. Thing is is that you generally learn it sort of 1 or 2 moves at a go and work on them (mainly because you have to learn like that), and then if people just see TGS-esque videos then they're going to assume that's how it works. I've had a couple of calls from people who are either thinking of getting into trials or who have just got their first trials bike and their general idea is that it's just TGS and not really anything else. "Which Onza's best for sidehops?" and all that kinda thing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD™ Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Thing is is that you generally learn it sort of 1 or 2 moves at a go and work on them (mainly because you have to learn like that), and then if people just see TGS-esque videos then they're going to assume that's how it works. I've had a couple of calls from people who are either thinking of getting into trials or who have just got their first trials bike and their general idea is that it's just TGS and not really anything else. "Which Onza's best for sidehops?" and all that kinda thing... Yea, I guess that's really what that rant was about, and not about TGS itself. I definitely have TGS style rides myself quite often, but I'm always aspiring towards more varied riding. It just seems silly to always push for inches and not really use it anywhere, in the same way that it'd be silly to never push for inches and never be able to do the lines you can imagine. I think just the existence of the term TGS exacerbates the problem, if people were doing it without it having a term attached I'd imagine it would be a much less regular debate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirt jumper jake Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 TGS SLEGZ ***. but yeah, my brakeless bike is way more fun that my limey3... still like tgs though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali C Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I think people think I hate TGS.....and they would mostly be right. HOWEVER, it's not the riding I dislike, the top guys who go huge are entertaining to watch and I could never imagine going as big as they do, it's very impressive. It's more the fact that some TGS wannabes are usually the same type of person. Usually loud, largely inconsiderate to the public, often rude and generally the type of person that I don't get on with. I know I am pigeon holing a lot of people into the same box, I realise there ARE perfectly nice people who ride TGS and I have total respect for them, but the others give that type of riding a bad name. Well perhaps it's not TGS riders, more the ones that JUST do sidehops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aener Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I think people think I hate TGS.....and they would mostly be right. HOWEVER, it's not the riding I dislike, the top guys who go huge are entertaining to watch and I could never imagine going as big as they do, it's very impressive. It's more the fact that some TGS wannabes are usually the same type of person. Usually loud, largely inconsiderate to the public, often rude and generally the type of person that I don't get on with. I know I am pigeon holing a lot of people into the same box, I realise there ARE perfectly nice people who ride TGS and I have total respect for them, but the others give that type of riding a bad name. Well perhaps it's not TGS riders, more the ones that JUST do sidehops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigjames Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I think people think I hate TGS.....and they would mostly be right. HOWEVER, it's not the riding I dislike, the top guys who go huge are entertaining to watch and I could never imagine going as big as they do, it's very impressive. It's more the fact that some TGS wannabes are usually the same type of person. Usually loud, largely inconsiderate to the public, often rude and generally the type of person that I don't get on with. I know I am pigeon holing a lot of people into the same box, I realise there ARE perfectly nice people who ride TGS and I have total respect for them, but the others give that type of riding a bad name. Well perhaps it's not TGS riders, more the ones that JUST do sidehops. Think this is the unfortunate image of a TGS rider that has stuck in my mind, a case of the minority spoiling it for the majority of TGS riders. I don't think TGS is growing at all, i would say the majority of riders i know ride more creative, technical riding; rather riding lines than inch pinching. The southwest seems to be a little devoid of TGS riders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greetings Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Sorry, but that's absolutely ridiculous in my opinion. Although these days people will see a trials video and decide to do that and then learn these 'basic' 3 moves, how can it be the case that you can't find something to bunnyhop over, or some lines to put together. Look at 2 places, decide to go from one to the other and then see whether there's a route that you can do that gets you from A to B. Coming from someone with such deep roots in the trials community, I'd have thought you'd have been one of the first to jump up and say that limiting yourself to 3 moves is laughable. I think you completely misunderstood me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginger allen echo Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I'm sure the northerners will keep it alive for us all to enjoy. Too right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Dale Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 why are you even having this debate? who cares what type of riding you do as long as you enjoy it? yea there always gonna be the odd tail that make a scene but there there in every sport? JUST RIDE YOUR BIKES!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD™ Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I think you completely misunderstood me. That may well be true, but that post doesn't really do much to correct that does it? If you mean you'd just rather never ride street then great. But if you only have street available, at least make it interesting and as 'natural' as you can. Adapt, dear boy, adapt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Gray Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Every single person on this forum should have to watch both Evolve and contact from start to finish before singing up. If you don't know what they are, then order or stream them. Its 2011 and people are still arguing over what pure trials is and how good / gay this so called tap gap sidehop riding is, when that is the roots of trials riding itself, that is how you get up/ over objects. What a pointless and very nieve way of looking at a form of riding which is different to any other in the world today. Allot of people on this forum seem very judgemental towards subject matters that they seem to know nothing about, mainly because it does not suit their happy feelings in their brain. Damon Watson I read your post and thought...mate you one the best street riders in the world? and your using a internet forum to clear up a point that people call you TGS. YOU ride for YOURSELF and you kill it in every single video. Who cares if its not edited to a DVD released quality. Drop gaps are one of the things I loved doing and watching nutters do when on rides. Your side hops deify gravity. Who cares what else you do, if that's what you like doing stick to it. I understand this topic though as when riding 3+ years ago TGS was never even a fraise, and I can see how it can form confrontational topics and ideals. If the days of having a laugh, watching people go huge on rides but then doing a 360 of a ledge on the way home, is not considered cool or trials any more, than I feel very sad for you. trials was always about warmth to me, friendship inspiring each other and being involved in a sport that I felt at home with and thank you every single person i have ridden with who are sound and keep this sport alive today, you know who you are. Reading this through im not sure if i have got my point across as I need to go town and typed this fairly quick, but seriously kids live your lives and be proud of your passions p.s Forwards 2 anyone DVD this time? Dan. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greetings Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 (edited) That may well be true, but that post doesn't really do much to correct that does it? I don't even know where to start, that's the problem I merely made a point that TGS is popular because it's easy. I never said it was good to limit oneself. Personally I've been riding for far too long to care about mixing it up, I can only manual in my dreams and manuals are a great way of combining moves. Obviously lines are great but I only find them interesting when you stay on an set of obstacles all the time without having to drop onto the ground and carry on to the next obstacle. This is why I love natural so much, it's just an endless line. Edited February 9, 2011 by Greetings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD™ Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I don't even know where to start, that's the problem I merely made a point that TGS is popular because it's easy. I never said it was good to limit oneself. Personally I've been riding for far too long to care about mixing it up, I can only manual in my dreams and manuals are a great way of combining moves. Obviously lines are great but I only find them interesting when you stay on an set of obstacles all the time without having to drop onto the ground and carry on to the next obstacle. This is why I love natural so much, it's just an endless line. To be fair, my entire rant wasn't directed at you, you merely started me off on it. As I said, you're clearly ingrained in the community and your opinion is worthwhile. I reckon although you didn't know where to start, you did a pretty good job there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew62 Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I don't even know where to start, that's the problem I merely made a point that TGS is popular because it's easy. I never said it was good to limit oneself. Personally I've been riding for far too long to care about mixing it up, I can only manual in my dreams and manuals are a great way of combining moves. Obviously lines are great but I only find them interesting when you stay on an set of obstacles all the time without having to drop onto the ground and carry on to the next obstacle. This is why I love natural so much, it's just an endless line. That's a shame - i love the ground, it's fine to use it to link. To me it is quite, quite simple. Bicycles is got two wheels, and they are form of transport/movement. Mix that shit with the essence of what trials is and you got yourself a recepie for some serious ass fun. Using a bike in a static way only (don't care what the move is) i think is a waste and a bit pointless. Look at a lot of bmxers - they go higher than a lot of trials riders, do a lot bigger drops and get up all manner of obstacles that trials riders could only dream of. Using momentum and rolling things to me is a good idea. Plus they usually better on rails to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolver Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I think perhaps the ultimate form of riding would be to integrate trials techniques and bmx tricks into travelling a route. A bit like freerunning - the point being getting from A to B efficiently - only on a bike. As for TGS, I don't think any rider could honestly say they've never done a single gap or tap just to see if they could. It's a fundamental thing, but it seems a shame to leave it at that when there's more challenge and fun to be had linking shit together, regardless of whether it's with flowing tricks or more trials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Object Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Dependent on your view point I'm either old school or new to modern trials. I remember the early/mid 90s when hopping up a wall to bash was considered Trials. A time when all 26 bikes were too small hardtails with miniseats I remember tar being cool because it made our terrible cantis a little bit better. V-Brakes didn't exist yet. Side hops didn't exist. Why the hell would you hop up something sideways? That's stupid. I stopped riding trials and focused on other types of riding for 15 years. Last year I decided to buy a trials bike and hop up and over some objects. I've learnt from the beginning again, There's a wealth of available videos courtesy of the internet generations. FFW, the popularisation of seatless bikes, ISIS cranks are all more recent than my time. The rift between Mod and 26 is smaller than ever. Loathing seems de rigueur between different factions of trials riders. Street vs Comp vs TGS. I can still hop higher on my other bikes than I can on my trials bike and and at the moment I spend a lot of time learning new (to me) techniques. Up to front, side hops, etc. I don't do a lot of lines as much as practise the basics of hopping up and onto things. This makes me a TGS rider in many peoples eyes. I'd call it being a novice. Should I avoid riding with other people in case they judge me on what they believe my "style" is? I can and will add my own flair to my riding as I get more comfortable with controlling the bike on the back wheel but only if I choose to. Or I may stick to hopping up bigger and bigger walls and keep the creative riding for my BMX. Does that make the enjoyment I gain from riding my Trials bike any less valid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greetings Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 A bit like freerunning - the point being getting from A to B efficiently - only on a bike. You mean Danny Mac, don't you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolver Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Not necessarily. If his videos followed him on an A to B ride, one long line of stuff, then sure, but they don't. And don't try and get in there with way back home, he's in a camper-van, that's cheating and not what I mean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Dark Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 That's pretty much it. TGS is the easiest form of trials and the one you learn first. My average ride consists of what you'd call TGS but that's just because there's no sensible natural nearby. I'd happily trade never riding walls again for some good natural spots I don't even know what "type" of trials I subscribe too.... I try and make my bike as light as possible, purely because I enjoy the engineering behind lightweight parts or modifying / making my own parts....My main three moves are, you guessed it Tap Gap and Sidehop; I try and ride as much natural as possible but its just not possible a lot of the time. I want to go as big as possible and just to get my riding up to the highest possible level.If that means inch pinching to achieve this then im all for it. It's just another type of training surely? Just far too much trying to put people in certain groups now. Like other people have said in this thread, the only trouble with TGS is the image that goes with it...but lets be honest it isn't that much of a problem and, in my opinion at least, strikes quite a parallel to the BMX world. Loads of them are aggressive riders, that seem to have quite a lot of anger issues! They also beat the shite out of their bikes at time...but like trials theres so many different types of people that do it. As for Matthew62 ripping down the quality of videos, that really annoys me. I really try hard in all the videos I edit; I realise they're not amazing but I among others do try really hard. Trials is very hard to film well in my opinion, certainly if you're on your own a lot of the time! My point here is ride whatever the hell you want but don't cram it down other people's throats, or try to make out you're better than them ( 24 elitists anyone?! ). I've certianly felt spoken down to by some people on the forum just because I don't link massive lines or can't manual for shit...it really doesn't matter! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 As for Matthew62 ripping down the quality of videos, that really annoys me. I really try hard in all the videos I edit... ...then he probably didn't mean you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew62 Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I am referring to the usual, tripod mounted, shot from behind black and white, no sorry...grayscale videos shot on cheap equipment with only a single move being shown before cutting to the next shot. There's no denying that has become a forumla, and to me it's a bore. I'm a creative by profession so i have an interest and understanding in such things. The construction of visuals is the dominant part of every living day for me so i do look at many, many things and in a comparative sense many trials videos are what i'd class poor. That mixed with my love for biking means i usually have quite a strong opinion on what i see - and it's not just an uninformed rant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.