Short Vs Long

[b'mouth trials]

I know this has probably been posted before and sorry if it has but my search thingy keeps coming up with errors :deej:

Anyway, I have got a revell 26" at the moment which I class as quite short, I think it's 1030ish.

I had a go on a mates echo control which he said is 1100 and it felt sooooo nice to gap and do everything on, it was easier on the back wheel than it was on two (Y).

This got me thinking, should I go for a longer bike, they feel so much better than my bike on the back wheel. So, my question is, What are the ups and downs of a long bike at about 1060ish I guess.

E.g. Is it easier to up things on? Easier to static and rolling gap?. Easier to sidehop? that kinda stuff.

Also, I was looking at the BT 5.o and maybe a Vario styx because the shop I work at deals with vario, can anyone suggest anything else?

By the way, I'm about 5ft 8ish if thats any help on wheelbases and stuff :P

Thanks, Aaron.

[Tomm]

Short bikes are more flickable and nicer for spins and bunny hops and stuff. Long bikes always feel nicer on the back wheel and are probably a bit easier to gap and tap. Everything's a compromise. Basically the easier it is on the backwheel, the less flickable it will be. Also small bikes can fit into small spaces better (Y)

[Luke Drewery]

Longer frames are suited to pure trials, not streety stuff like spins and manuals. You will find the longer frame easier for sidehops, gaps, taps, wheel swaps, backhops etc etc but they arent that good for manuals, spins, bunnyhops etc so its all down to personal preference (Y)

[Mark W]

Longer frames are suited to pure trials,

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Hmm, not necessarily. If you think about what the majority of riders in the Worlds are riding, a LOT are riding shorter frames (not super short or anything, but not necessarily limo-sized 1100mm frames and so on) - specially in the mod classes - and that's about as "pure" as trials gets. Just get on 'em and try them out, if you can. You can do street on a 1100 bike and you can do "pure" on a 1030 bike. It's just down to personal feeling. For example, I like my bikes short and high (same set-up on BMX and trials bike). Can't deal with long and low. Still ride mostly "pure" trials though. Just try other bikes out (Y)

[Luke Drewery]

Hmm, not necessarily.  If you think about what the majority of riders in the Worlds are riding, a LOT are riding shorter frames (not super short or anything, but not necessarily limo-sized 1100mm frames and so on) - specially in the mod classes - and that's about as "pure" as trials gets.  Just get on 'em and try them out, if you can.  You can do street on a 1100 bike and you can do "pure" on a 1030 bike.  It's just down to personal feeling.  For example, I like my bikes short and high (same set-up on BMX and trials bike).  Can't deal with long and low.  Still ride mostly "pure" trials though. Just try other bikes out (Y)

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I was just trying to say how pure trials moves are easier on longer bikes because thats specifically what they are designed for. I was also reffering to stock bikes, mods are generally short, however personal preference is what it comes down to, factors such as height, style of riding, what feels best for you...

[lightyco.]

Its all down to personal preference and style of riding. If you like to role things and prefer to flow more on natural, longer bikes allow you to do that. If you want to ride technicle sections where hopping is needed in a big way a shorter 26" would be better suited to the job.

[b'mouth trials]

Ok, thanks for all the help so far guys :( .

I think it's come down to two frames, The 1080 echo control or a t-rex, at the moment I'm pushing towards the echo.

Can someone who has or had one tell me a little about how they ride? How they up and gap and stuff.

And another thing, I'm about 5ft 8ish, do you think a 1080 will be too long for me?

Thanks alot, Aaron.

[JIX]

If your going for a longer bike I would suggest going for the shorter 1060 option.

It will be a big change. All of your techniques will have to change slightly.

I changed to a 1060 control from a zebdi. It does take some time to get used to it.

In regards to natural stuff, it really does depend on your style. I have ridden the control in a couple of comps and Im not sure which bike I prefer for natural.

For bigger moves it has to be the longer option.

Im about 5ft,10 inches

Edited May 20, 2005 by JIX

[totaltrials]

I think long bikes are better than short for a load of reasons, So I will say the bad points instead of all the good points:

No better for sidehopping

no better for bunnyhopping or pedal hop upping :(

NO betetr for spinning street stuff etc

Doesn't fit in ramps, lol, so don't try fufanus and land front first on the flat, it hurts.

:("

Phil.

[Tomm]

no better for bunnyhopping or pedal hop upping  :(

NO betetr for spinning street stuff etc

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You mean worse for both of those. Horses/Courses :(

[totaltrials]

You mean worse for both of those.  Horses/Courses :(

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:( ye, lol

[colly]

they feel more stable in sections, but all the length and all this stuff really dependes on the head angle of the frame, which alters the reach of the toptube i went from short to long and cant really tell that much difference just get on the bike and ride it, apart from i can backwheel higher and its harder to bunny hop buts thats because my bars are lower than before but if i raise it on the stackers it bunnyhops ok :(

[Bucky]

Earlier this month I changed form an ashton justice which Id been riding for about a year (had a base and monty urban before so always short frames) to an Echo Pure 1080.

My riding has improved so much in the past few weeks.

I can side hop to two wheels what i was doing to front wheel i can get easier it sits up on the back wheel very nicely and i can still bunnyhop and manual it.

so basically yeah go for it you'll never look back.

for a few years I had been sceptical about riding a long frame as everyone was changing over to UCi frame (koxx echo zoo etc) so never really bothered but this frame came up and my ashton was cracked so i thought id go for it and i am soo glad that i did.

Bucky

[Olly C]

I believe medium is the new long.

TRA has now moved from an 1100 Cassio to a 1075 and loving it (which would feel medium-ish due to BB rise.

I had a T-Pro which was medium WB I loved it for all things trials and street but wanted to improve my trials so got a longer bike, fact is you loose a lot more stuff moving to a longer bike than you gain I've found. I then wondered if a short bike would be better for things bought a BMX and its almost too short, Im getting used to it now but theres less to throw about and flick so big bunnyhops are not as easy.

I say with a medium WB trials bike with great geo most people would feel right at home, great for trials, great for messing about and riding skateparks when your lonely and great fun with less stress on your muscles or back due to lenght and stuff (Y)

My 2 Cents anyways

Olly

[Monty_Kid]

I believe medium is the new long.

TRA has now moved from an 1100 Cassio to a 1075 and loving it (which would feel medium-ish due to BB rise.

I had a T-Pro which was medium WB I loved it for all things trials and street but wanted to improve my trials so got a longer bike, fact is you loose a lot more stuff moving to a longer bike than you gain I've found. I then wondered if a short bike would be better for things bought a BMX and its almost too short, Im getting used to it now but theres less to throw about and flick so big bunnyhops are not as easy.

I say with a medium WB trials bike with great geo most people would feel right at home, great for trials, great for messing about and riding skateparks when your lonely and great fun with less stress on your muscles or back due to lenght and stuff :D

Olly

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By "Cassio" i take it you mean Caisso, in which case i think you mistaken because there's only one version of the Marc Caisso frame and it's 1065 with him being around 5' 4 in height, but im guessing you actually mean TRA moved from the 1115 Vinco to the new 1075, in which case your mistaken again :wub:, TRA never had the 1115 (i dont think) he moved from the XTP to the short Vinco Because thats what koxx had waiting for him, and he liked it lots more than the XTP as he could do almost everything better, also im pretty sure TRA had the short XTP so again it's another rider going from a short bike to a long bike and loving it (Y) sorry if im rantin :wub: