zskf1 Posted August 24, 2012 Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 Hi everyone! I have loved trial bike for long and can do some simple stuff like track standing and bunnyhop (but that's all). I think I would get a proper trial bike next year but I have to buy a MTB for commuter use in college now. Since I am not going to spend a long time everyday with my new MTB, I decided to choose one that can enable me to do some basic training so I will go straight in proper trial bike stuff next year. So, what should I pay attention to when choosing my MTB? ( like, maybe a short chainstay? V-brake? long handlebar?) Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake. Posted August 24, 2012 Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 You're using a MTB to commute to college, that seems a little silly unless it's off road. How far is the college? You may be able to get away with a 24" trials bike with a saddle like an inspired. Or a 26" hex even. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isitafox Posted August 24, 2012 Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 As above, go for a 24" street bike and just stick a long seatpost in there so you can have it up for getting from A-B and then drop it for a bit of trials action. Can always fit a cassette and rear mech to a freehub so you've got a couple of gears for getting some speed up and one purely for trials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zskf1 Posted August 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 You're using a MTB to commute to college, that seems a little silly unless it's off road. How far is the college? You may be able to get away with a 24" trials bike with a saddle like an inspired. Or a 26" hex even. As above, go for a 24" street bike and just stick a long seatpost in there so you can have it up for getting from A-B and then drop it for a bit of trials action. Can always fit a cassette and rear mech to a freehub so you've got a couple of gears for getting some speed up and one purely for trials. I would like to have an Inspired but my budget is very limited at this moment. It seems I can only afford an entry level MTB right now (or maybe a rubbish trial bike, but I don't want that). As I said above, I won't ride long distance, I simply need to get to another class that's about 1km away in less than 10 min. Any bike can do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isitafox Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 What is your budget? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zskf1 Posted August 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 What is your budget? I live in US and my budget is $500, just enough for a specialized hardrock. But I will get a job and earn some money so I can buy a good bike like inspired next year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake. Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 1000 metres in 10 minutes? You could walk that bro. Get a trials bike! Save up for an inspired, sounds like you'll appreciate them the most due to having to use flowy moves. And I bet you could easily ride trials between classes and cover the distance without being late. Perhaps ask your parents for some money? Say you'll pay them back. My parents sometimes help me pay towards something if they know it'll help me get off my fat arse, and I pay them back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence--Trials Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 (edited) Have you considered a marino frame? Custom geo' so you could have a seat post, enough room for gears or whatever else? They're only about £80ishhh too. - from memory Edited August 25, 2012 by Laurence--Trials 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ULtrialsguy Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 (edited) I use my trials bike to commute around college campus and theres some pretty big distances between buildings. I have a gear ratio of 20-16 and no seat so it can be tiring sometimes but I'm used to it now. Helps for building up your leg strength so you can actually ride trials for longer without getting tired. Also my loud hub lets people know I'm coming and they step out the way. When I had my mtb with a quite hub people didn't hear me coming and so I had to slow down and ask them to move. I bought my bike second hand for 250 euro. Not the best setup but it was fine for getting me started. Upgraded it a lot since then though. Also our club has built a pump track on campus and my bike is perfect for flying around that. Edited August 26, 2012 by ULtrialsguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zskf1 Posted August 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 1000 metres in 10 minutes? You could walk that bro. Get a trials bike! Save up for an inspired, sounds like you'll appreciate them the most due to having to use flowy moves. And I bet you could easily ride trials between classes and cover the distance without being late. Perhaps ask your parents for some money? Say you'll pay them back. My parents sometimes help me pay towards something if they know it'll help me get off my fat arse, and I pay them back. My bad estimation. It should be more, because I have to run all the way to get there on time. Not to be rude, but do you really think I would post this thread if there is any way for me to get an Inspired? can we get back to the topic please? thanks I use my trials bike to commute around college campus and theres some pretty big distances between buildings. I have a gear ratio of 20-16 and no seat so it can be tiring sometimes but I'm used to it now. Helps for building up your leg strength so you can actually ride trials for longer without getting tired. Also my loud hub lets people know I'm coming and they step out the way. When I had my mtb with a quite hub people didn't hear me coming and so I had to slow down and ask them to move. I bought my bike second hand for 250 euro. Not the best setup but it was fine for getting me started. Upgraded it a lot since then though. Also our club has built a pump track on campus and my bike is perfect for flying around that. I really don't think there are any place sell second hand trial bike around. And I'm not very comfortable with purchasing second hand stuff online either. But thanks for your suggestion!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ULtrialsguy Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 Well then you'd need a hardtail anyway, longish handlebars. Fairly short fork as trials bikes don't have suspension. In our club we have a few ladies mountain bikes like a Kona Lisa. I've found the geometry is pretty nice for trials, bunny hops so easily and because of the low top tube it's not restricting movement. Only problem is that it's pink. Something like this, I know it's a womens bike but who's gonna know. Frame shape is a lot like the inspired bikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zskf1 Posted August 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 Well then you'd need a hardtail anyway, longish handlebars. Fairly short fork as trials bikes don't have suspension. In our club we have a few ladies mountain bikes like a Kona Lisa. I've found the geometry is pretty nice for trials, bunny hops so easily and because of the low top tube it's not restricting movement. Only problem is that it's pink. Exactly the advice I am looking for!!! Thanks again. Do you think low end disc brake will work? or I should go for V-brake? Pink may not suit me very well, how do you think a 16 inch or even a 14 inch frame? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ULtrialsguy Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 The smaller the frame the easier you'll be able to throw it around but too small and it'll be uncomfortable to ride. As for the brakes I'm sure it doesn't matter too much. Modern v-brakes are pretty powerful, depends what brakes come with the bike really. For a low spec bike I wouldn't expect wonderful things. Anything should get you by until you get a proper trials bike though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zskf1 Posted August 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 The smaller the frame the easier you'll be able to throw it around but too small and it'll be uncomfortable to ride. As for the brakes I'm sure it doesn't matter too much. Modern v-brakes are pretty powerful, depends what brakes come with the bike really. For a low spec bike I wouldn't expect wonderful things. Anything should get you by until you get a proper trials bike though. I think I got the idea. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake. Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 We only tried to convince you to get an inspired cause that sounded exactly like what you wanted, jeez. And how would I know you didn't have enough for an inspired? I was only trying to help. What is your budget? Say in £££ as most people use that currency on this forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zskf1 Posted August 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 We only tried to convince you to get an inspired cause that sounded exactly like what you wanted, jeez. And how would I know you didn't have enough for an inspired? I was only trying to help. What is your budget? Say in £££ as most people use that currency on this forum. Forgive me if my word is too harsh, apologize. Perhaps I should tell you first Inspired is what I am aiming at. I had about 10 min on it and love it. Definitely will buy an element 24 or 26 next summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake. Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 So what is your budget? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ULtrialsguy Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 So what is your budget? As he said above $500 which is about £315 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake. Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 How the f**k did I miss isitafox's post. There's a few ashton 24"s going for around £300 in decent spec. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williams Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 (edited) Maybe buy a street-ish trial bike, and if it have a freehub, put two sprockets on (no shifter/derailleur) and fit one sprocket for trials use, and one more "normal" sprocket which you get more speed from. Basically fit them on the same hub, run a tensioner, so when youre going to school you simply choose the "normal" sprocket and go fast. And when your riding trial you choose the more trial specific sprocket. I hope this makes sence! Edit: I'll post a pic on here. The red..things.. are supposed to be sprockets, and you will run specers between them. Edited August 27, 2012 by williams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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