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Welcome to the forum :)

you're never too old ;) if you have experience on a mountain bike then a 26" would probably feel more comfortable.. also the length is more appropriate for your length.

The only difference your age makes is that you may get tired easier and you're more aware of the dangers, but there is no reason why you can't do it

Go for it fella, have fun riding :P

As for bike you're best off going second hand, try looking in the for sale section on here, you'll find you can get a decent spec fairly cheap with little damage from friendly people :)

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Hi

Most of us on here over 30 probably started at a point where trials bikes were not readily available in the UK, so we made best with what we had. This entailed the smallest frames we could get and bolting 3 middle chain rings together to form a 'bash ring'. Made sure the canti-lever brakes were solid and away you went.

Do you currently own a mountain bike of sorts? It may be worth while learning some of the basics initially to see if it is for you. This could be trackstands, learning to hop on your back wheel etc and general brake controls. The last thing you would want to do is throw yourself off a wall or ledge as we all know it takes longer to recover now. Once you get these basic moves, simple things like moving to kerbs and then 2 or 3 brick-high walls and go from there. To do these things you can learn them on your normal mountain bike providing you have good clearance from the frame/saddle and the brakes are firm and hold well. It may be worth looking up on the net for people like Ryan Leech, Jeff Lenosky etc who all use fairly normal looking 26" wheeled bikes. Even Hans Ray (legend) who further proves you are never too old. There are plenty of 'how to' videos around to watch.

Otherwise go for it though, never too old to learn bike skills and impress your mates when you all go out (or your kids and wife).

All the best!!

By the way, I'm only 30 but to be honest, when I'm out on the trials bike now I ride longer and harder than I did when I was 13/14 when I started. I feel it keeps stamina and strength up but I still have to stop every so often for a cup of tea and some franch fancies (especially the yellow ones).

Edited by Gonza
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Thanks for the replies guys, have been trying to post on my phone but won't let me for some reason ?

I'm looking on Ebay most nights for something suitable, the 20" seem more reasonably priced and as money is tight it might be one of those I go for first of all.

I currently ride a hybrid for commuting every day, it's not really suitable for chucking around unfortunately.

Having watched the numerous YouTube vids everyone makes it look so easy ! I appreciate it's not, but just eager to give it a go, I figure a trials bike must be "easier" to learn the basics on than a heavier mountain bike ?

Hi

still have to stop every so often for a cup of tea and some franch fancies (especially the yellow ones).

Didn't realise French Fancies were a mandatory trials extra, I'm definitely up for it then ! :w00t:

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I don't think age is much of an issue, its more about having some fitness and having the time in your life to dedicate to trials. Other than that if you find it straining go to yoga or take up stretching, it will help your body adjust and you will learn faster/ not get injured.

If you are tall and want comfort (I do) you will want to have a higher bar and stem. So watch out, it could be an unexpected cost to upgrade. Also comfort-wise the bar height is relative to the bottom bracket, as the newer frame tends to have higher bb's, they then need extra height on the bars.

As you are heavy too its worth getting some decent brake pads for the rear and putting a good grind on the rim if you are running maguras.

Its probably worth asking on here about any bikes you have seen especially ebay as its a real mixed bag on there.

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Thanks for the replies guys, have been trying to post on my phone but won't let me for some reason ?

I'm looking on Ebay most nights for something suitable, the 20" seem more reasonably priced and as money is tight it might be one of those I go for first of all.

I currently ride a hybrid for commuting every day, it's not really suitable for chucking around unfortunately.

Having watched the numerous YouTube vids everyone makes it look so easy ! I appreciate it's not, but just eager to give it a go, I figure a trials bike must be "easier" to learn the basics on than a heavier mountain bike ?

Didn't realise French Fancies were a mandatory trials extra, I'm definitely up for it then ! :w00t:

Basics can be learned on a mountain bike, but that is a moot point now.

On an impulse I brought a Diamond Back Ashton Justice off of EBay today. Are they any good ?

What is a grind on the rim ?

Excellent choice!

Inspirational video:

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Get it on dude, it will improve your life!

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All good advice above.

Your Justice will serve you well. Definitely a decent starter bike. Make sure you get your brakes set up correctly, it will take quite a bit of fussing them, but it's worth it. Crap brake setup will make riding a lot harder and sketchy as a learner.

As far as your age goes.. I'm 40. Trials WILL hurt and frustrate you. But it's worth it!! I'm hooked, im so keen to get better i've started running, yoga and strength training in addition to riding my bike. I also run my own business, so fitting it in is a challenge in it's self. But when you get a move or a line nailed, it's well worth it.

Use the video's for inspiration but don't beat yourself up, if you can't get a move. Don't rush it, get the basics nailed first. Track stand, Track Stand front wheel not turned. Then both these with bad foot forward and so on. Once you have these sorted, you will be able to lift the front wheel in a nice controlled manner, without all the endoing and bouncing around that come from rushing to get on the back wheel.

Hope that helps, for what my two penneth is worth.

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All good advice above.

Your Justice will serve you well. Definitely a decent starter bike. Make sure you get your brakes set up correctly, it will take quite a bit of fussing them, but it's worth it. Crap brake setup will make riding a lot harder and sketchy as a learner.

As far as your age goes.. I'm 40. Trials WILL hurt and frustrate you. But it's worth it!! I'm hooked, im so keen to get better i've started running, yoga and strength training in addition to riding my bike. I also run my own business, so fitting it in is a challenge in it's self. But when you get a move or a line nailed, it's well worth it.

Use the video's for inspiration but don't beat yourself up, if you can't get a move. Don't rush it, get the basics nailed first. Track stand, Track Stand front wheel not turned. Then both these with bad foot forward and so on. Once you have these sorted, you will be able to lift the front wheel in a nice controlled manner, without all the endoing and bouncing around that come from rushing to get on the back wheel.

Hope that helps, for what my two penneth is worth.

Thanks for this, I'm pretty much the same, pushed for time all of the time, and always something else to do. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so always see the jar as half full rather than half empty so I'm bound to beat myself up I'm afraid !

As for brakes, they seem ok , but what is the correct set up ?

I do like an instructional DVD, the order is going in !

Are there any trials specific magazines published, I was looking in smiths, most seem to be either bmx or MTV based.

Cheers

Warren

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From the pic you posted, it seems like your running a rear Vee brake and front disk. I run maguras front and rear, so I can't advise on getting your brakes set up well, as I've not much experience of these on trials bikes. Other than a front disk on my old Mod & that always seemed good and looked after it's self! Ask on the forum about your Vee brake, plenty of people run them.

Matt is right. It's a book and it's only just been released. I've got a copy and I stuff it in my bag and take it with me when I'm out on the bike for reference.

There aren't really any mags sold. This is the best online trials magazine http://www.tribalzine.com/ I run it in google chrome and it translates it for me. But there are English pages done by Ben Swales.

As Matt says try a search for Ryan leach on you tube The Art of Trials. You can't go wrong with this.

Also a word of warning from someone of a similar age (i've learnt the hard way!!) Make sue you warm up and stretch before you ride. It will reduce the risk of injury and also make you feel better on and off the bike.

A helmet is critical and shin pads will save your legs while your leaning.

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Keep your eye open. Walked past a pile dumped on some spare land in Manchester the other day. Usually chuck them in the back of the van for the wood burner at home though. I dont have any room to set up pallets. Also im lucky enough to live near some great natural.

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Been having a go on the bike this afternoon, practicing track stands, endos, turns. Not as easy as it looks is it !

I'm fairly fit, although a big lump, but 1/2 an hour on the bike certainly tests me. I definitely need the longer stem though, it feels a bit cramped.

There's an annoying noise from the front disc as well, like the rotor is hitting something, any ideas ?

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