Motomania Posted May 25, 2015 Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 Hi all, I'm an old fart trying to get started on trials. I'm 40 something, I'm in Ireland but Italian, a bit of MTB background and maybe I might take up Moto Trials as there is no bike trials event in Ireland at all. I just purchased a CZAR IVAN 26" ( I know not the easiest for a starter but as said very few bikes around Ireland). The Bar height is killing me, I'm 6 foot1. Should I adapt the bike to my size ? Stem only ? or stem and bar ? Does getting a much steeper stem ( and therefore shorter ) really influence the bike for trials ? Thanks for your suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CC12345678910 Posted May 25, 2015 Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 Hi all, I'm an old fart trying to get started on trials. I'm 40 something, I'm in Ireland but Italian, a bit of MTB background and maybe I might take up Moto Trials as there is no bike trials event in Ireland at all. I just purchased a CZAR IVAN 26" ( I know not the easiest for a starter but as said very few bikes around Ireland). The Bar height is killing me, I'm 6 foot1. Should I adapt the bike to my size ? Yeah of course you should, You wouldn't ride a mtb with a a maxxed out seatpost height 3in too short for you for example. Stem only ? or stem and bar ? That all rather depends on what is on there currently, If you can't name make/model, post front and side photos and someone will be able to tell NP. To a point it also matters what cranks are on it. EG. if you had stubby 160mm cranks, your feet are closer together, effectively lengthening your legs, putting your arse up in the air more. Then if you're a reaching down to low bars, that will arch your back and hurt to f**k. Change the bar stem 1st though. Does getting a much steeper stem ( and therefore shorter ) really influence the bike for trials ? Yes, totally, but there is more to trial bike set-up than wanging on big bars with a 40mm DH stem and pulling up! That would feel rank. Again, that depends on what is on there at the moment. At the time in 2008ish, my (was always big and tall, is now 6ft3 easy) mate had a Long Version Ivan, set up with standard rise trialtech bars (still available - Tartybikes) and a 130mm x 15deg Echo hifi stem, as was trendy at the time, knowing how he hates stem spacers, 0 or 5mm of stackers. But with hindsight and different parts now being available, I'd opt (just an opinion and my taste) for something a little shorter in the stem, 120 x 20, 120 x 17, possibly a 110 x 20. i've had all of these, the last one makes everything pull up from two wheels sooo much easier, but is not as easy hopping around on the back wheel for extended periods, like a 120 x 20 is - this is what I meant above - there is more set up than it first seems, and there is always a trade off, or a compromise of some sort as to what you make the strong or weak points of that particular bike. Bars would have to be Trialtech High rise if had the ££. They are just guaranteed to make any bike feel epic if they are set at the right angle for that type of bike, and there is no bad angle with them, comfy any way, any bike. Just a note though, with trials bars, always set them turned forward so the backsweep is merging into upsweep when viewed side on. How much or little will depend on taste and the bike setup in question. Thanks for your suggestions. No problem what-so-ever. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motomania Posted May 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 (edited) Thanks CC. so yes it all makes sense. the stem that was on is an echo something around 100 mm probably 25° ( the one in the picture was stolen from my wife bike it is a BBB 110 mm 35° a bit better but still very low). The crank I have to check. I know it is a middleburn. And the Bar (pink ( ) is a zoo veeeeeeeeery large but with little rise. I guess being only a real beginner I need to first get familiar with the bike and spend time on it, I can always change the stem bar later again. I'll start with an awful 45° x110mm stem so at least I wont be sore after 26 seconds. Thanks very much for the suggestions !! :bow: Is there a set of exercises suggested ? something like 3 minutes of this and than 3 minutes of that in a specific sequence ? I guess the track stand is the first thing to learn, what is the second ? Edited May 25, 2015 by Motomania Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waybe2014 Posted May 25, 2015 Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 Next step is getting on the rear wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CC12345678910 Posted May 25, 2015 Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 (edited) the stem that was on is an echo something around 100 mm probably 25° ( the one in the picture was stolen from my wife bike it is a BBB 110 mm 35° a bit better but still very low). The crank I have to check. I know it is a middleburn. And the Bar (pink ( ) is a zoo veeeeeeeeery large but with little rise. I guess being only a real beginner I need to first get familiar with the bike and spend time on it, I can always change the stem bar later again. I'll start with an awful 45° x110mm stem so at least I wont be sore after 26 seconds. Thanks very much for the suggestions !! :bow: Is there a set of exercises suggested ? something like 3 minutes of this and than 3 minutes of that in a specific sequence ? I guess the track stand is the first thing to learn, what is the second ? That stem's not awful, It's the size/angle sat on my bike currently. Get them bars off though, they had a bit of a cult following back when, but I was never one of them. read what I said about TT highrise above and reverse it completely. In my opinion, total steaming dog turd These, in 40mm rise option would be your cheapest suitable alternative i think, but are bloody narrow. Eugh or these are wider, but will still be a touch flat even in 30mm rise. You're cranks are fine, very nice sort after items in fact. Just recently I had a problem where having too longer crank arms on made the bike feel low to the ground, sorted it with some 5mm shorter cranks which transformed the body position. I thought that you perhaps had this problem in reverse. It was just an outside bet. Get yourself over to trashzen, the old bible of trials basics. Thinkbikes do youtube tutorials too. Take these on board and then go ride. Your garden, your garage, the front curb, corner of a industrial estate, after hours at the multistorey - I mean ANYWHERE! Check out this similar topic I had a bit of input in a while ago http://www.trials-forum.co.uk/topic/189888-short-progress-video/ Ciaran. Edited May 25, 2015 by CC12345678910 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motomania Posted May 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 So out of curiosity I measured bar and Stem last night. The bar is 760 mm with almost no rise and the stem is 140 0r 150 mm ( depends how you measure it) with a 30° angle. Like you said CC the feeling is ass up and arms stretched out like being on the holy cross. I have ordered a cheapish stem that I could eventually recycle for my wife bike. 45° 110 mm and an Octane One Riser Bar 710 mm- 75 mm rise (15£ on ebay, the Trialtech looked juicy but at 42£ for the white one plus delivery it was almost 60£= 84€ = 50% of the cost of the bike !!!). If this set up doesn't work it will at least allow me to get started on the bike. Thanks for your suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isitafox Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 The classifieds forum on here is your friend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motomania Posted June 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 Hi Again Folks. Today finally I'll have the new bar and stem fitted. The pressure on my hands is killing me. I have been playing on the bike trying to get familiar with it and the front and real wheel bouncing alternatively but I don't last long. New (to me) Magura evo fitted (these works way better than the older grey HS33). Wheels trued a little. I have also purchased the book trials zen ( I still love old style books yes) but didn't arrive yet. My next question is tire pressure. I'm trying to learn the alternate front rear bounce, how do you call it ? What is the ideal pressure on a 2.4 / 2.5 tire ? I mean for learning this exercise ? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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