This trials stuff is difficult

[PMK]

So far, each rde has been fun. I try and mix it up, but always work on basics to keep improving, regardless of how slight the improvement may be.

I started the topic and mentioned trials being difficult.

I continue to try new features, many times after watching a video or similar visual presentation.

I need some tips on something that is kicking my butt. When riding along a board or any similar edge, I have no difficulty to get both wheels on the feature. Problem is, I find I tend to look down at the front tire and go off the side.

Also, I find as I pedal along the feature, I may be moving the bars and zig zag until I either lose confidence and hop off the feature or simply screw up and ride off the feature.

I am not even talking super narrow or fallen trees, say 6 inch width. Simple flat surface, elevated from a few to say 12 inches.

Any tips appreciated. Expecting a few will be wise ass variety too, that's ok if they are helpful.

Want to add, the terrain is more street based or man made stuff rather than natural terrain. Bike I'm on is a 24 street trials Inspired Fourplay.

PK

[isitafox]

Go faster

[peter_t]

Lots of subtle adjustments. I look a foot or two ahead of my front wheel.

This helps-

[PMK]

Go faster

Yes, that does work. Not quite my intended method.

PK

[PMK]

Lots of subtle adjustments. I look a foot or two ahead of my front wheel.

This helps-

Thanks for the link. I do have the Ryan Leech video which the link is from. Very good tips for me any way, just wondering if there is the one key to make it easier. Obviously practice, but the ability to do this insticntively is what I need to sort out.

Pretty sure I am over correcting, behind the curve in reactions, and need to look further ahead. When it begins to go sour, I am able to trackstand for a short time, maybe 10 seconds, but have not sorted out how to save riding along a skinny by moving again.

Practice, practice, practice. The challenge is great and trials may be one of cyclings best kept secrets.

PK

[peter_t]

Yeah it is just practice. I think once you can trackstand for a long time, your overall ballance will also improve.

When in a trackstand you are leaning towards the direction your front wheel is pointing. To ride away in a straight line you need to bring your weight centre befor you can straighten up and ride away. Sticking your knee out is probably all you need to do this.

Try and trackstand with your wheel in vairying angles instead of the normall 45 degrees. More you lean the more you need to turn the wheel to the side.

[psiron]

This may help. Place your front wheel against a wall with the handlebars straight try and hold your balance, keep pressure on your leading foot. At this point you should be able to hold the bike up, now analyse how your body is reacting and counter reacting to staying on balance. when you can, try and relax look at your surroundings, move your head around etc bend your knees and get real low etc... roll back off the wall brake and stop at this point you're probably doing a good impression of a fish trying to ride a bicycle, but don't worry this is good stuff, your knees play a big part in trying to stay on balance.

This method is useful in the short term because it gives you an opportunity to slow the moves down, its also useful as a transition to something else like hops and rocks. I take this a step further as well by leaning back and rolling the front wheel up the wall and balancing, at first with brakes applied and later with out brakes (word of warning if you attempt this, shin pads and helmet).

You don't need to do more than a few minutes a day, to see progress. Hope this helps.

Edited February 7, 2015 by psiron

[CC12345678910]

Yeah it is just practice. I think once you can trackstand for a long time, your overall ballance will also improve.

When in a trackstand you are leaning towards the direction your front wheel is pointing. To ride away in a straight line you need to bring your weight centre befor you can straighten up and ride away. Sticking your knee out is probably all you need to do this.

Try and trackstand with your wheel in vairying angles instead of the normal 45 degrees. More you lean the more you need to turn the wheel to the side.

This. The bars should be turned away from your leading/preferred foot e.g. I'm right foot forward and turn the bars to the left.

Trackstands are dead simple but difficult to explain. Try this

Find flat ground. Stand with your feet on the floor and the bike between your knees. Turn the bars 90deg away from your good foot. Now push both down & forwards so the front wheel rotates backwards. Keeping up?? This is the balance point and motion you fight against with pedal pressure corrections.

Now try it. Get up on the pedals with your good foot in the 6 o'clock position, nearest the ground. Now rock forwards and backwards on the engagement, rolling the front brake on and off to stop you freewheeling forward more than the couple of inches you should be using. Keep doing this till you can do it all day, my PB is about 20mins continuously brakeless.

Edit: can do non handed with arms outstretched for about 20secs too.

Edited February 7, 2015 by CC12345678910

[peter_t]

I find it easier to point my wheel towards my preferred foot when in a trackstand. Right foot right. All the tutorials etc. say otherwhise. Am i just odd? lol Try both.

Once you can trackstand pretty well you can try it with the wheel facing the other way. This is very usefull as a trackstand only works with the front wheel facing uphill if you are along a slope so it gives you more options. This took a little time to get my head around as pressure on the pedals has the oppersite effect but i can do it now (Although not as good as my favorite side).

If you're really good you can do it with you weaker foot forward! I can't do this though.

[PMK]

Thanks for the trackstand tips. All very useful. Without doubt that was the first item I focused on, and have seen the improvements. I am more comfortable each ride and will practice trackstands constantly. I may not have the duration yet, but break it up by using slight uphill, flat ground, and just recently on declines with the front wheel low as in riding down a ramp.

Prior to me purchasing the Ryan Leech Art of Trials video, I was practicing trackstands with favored foot forward. A local friend, and possibly the only other local that rides trials, which like myself is to just be a better rider in all types of cycling suggested to force practice on the strong foot with the wheel left and right, plus also the weaker foot with the wheel left and right. So based on the Ryan Leech video and friends advice I do spend time in all four settings.

Please consider too I am not in anyway expecting magic overnight. I ride as much as possible, often for between 30 and 60 minutes under the street lights at least 3 nights per week. Each ride I work on basics but will also try and introduce an new challenge.

PK

Edited February 8, 2015 by PMK

[PMK]

Plan to build similar features to have in the yard. Initially I won't add the log hopping stuff. Also, asked a friend about large diameter wire spools. He beleives that it may be possible to get some in the 4 foot diameter size.

PK

Edited February 8, 2015 by PMK

[psiron]

Check out some of Bob's video's, www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5AP2LmSYBM

Edited February 9, 2015 by psiron