Complete Noob Interested In Trials Biking!

[Spank]

Hey everyone

My name is simon, and i know nothing about any sort of bike. Now i have that out in the open i would like some help in starting casual trials biking.

I live in the north east of england, with the mackem contingient in sunderland, and have recently been interested in getting a mountain bike for just riding around on, trying to get a little exercise whilst doing so wouldnt hurt either . but whilst searching around the internet for something that is affordable i came across trials bikes. i remember watching moto trials when i was very little and got a little interested in it , but since then i sort of forgot about it as i grew older, i am now 19.

but like i say, i came across trials bikes when i was looking for a mountain bike, and thought it looked like fun, the added risk involved also appeals to me too.

since i am 19, i dont really know if it is too late for me to start or if my asthma will restrict me from trying to take part. but i would really like to see if i can actually acomplish it if i set my mind to doing it.

since i know nothing about these sorts of bikes i wouldnt know what would be a good starter for a complete novice who would like to learn how to upgrade, ride and trial on a bike. i am 6ft4" tall and last time i checked i weighed between 12 and 13 stone. my budget is quite small being between £150 and £300, but would be able to upgrade as i got better.

i dont know if this post made any sense to you, hopefully it did and i can soon start a long trials adventure

any sort of help or advice would be great

thanks,

simon

[poopipe]

£300 will get you a bike - you're probably better off getting a second hand one on that budget, new bikes that cost that little tend not to be very upgradeable.

19 isn't too old. There's a thread a bit further down the page where a guy of 40 is just starting, i didnt' start til i was 25 (Im still shite 2 years later though)

as for your asthma - I don't know, I don't have asthma. Trials is pretty exhausting when you first start cos of all the bouncing but you get used to it fairly quick and it gets easier with technique.

for bike advice just use the search, there must be a hundred threads in new members on the same subject so there'll be plenty of advice

[adamtrials]

I dont think asthma will be much of a problem, you can just take things at the pace you want with trials,

and its not like your constantly pedaling for miles anyway. £300 can buy you a nice secondhand bike,

ebay may be your best option or possibly off here.

[Tommy d]

Here's an example of what you might find on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Saracen-M-A-D-Team-T...1QQcmdZViewItem

It's not the best trials bike ever but it would certainly get you started. My only worry is that maybe it would be a bit short for you if you are 6'4". But maybe a short bike is easier to learn on for a beginner? What do people think about that?

[Daniel Wood]

If you have the cash, i'd suggest getting an Onza t-rex, Onza's rock for starting on. I'd say get a 20" Onza but because your 6ft4" it would look a little strange. Heres a link for you, Tartybikes The Onza T-Rex Spec 1 is what i suggest you get, but take a look around find one you like.

[sam jordan]

hi, ive recently started trials biking as well. I ride with the guy who posted above me and i agree with everthing he said. Onza bikes are good for learning on but a 20" will look a bit strange. I suggest you get a 26" as then you wont look a like a clown. I am currently riding a planet x zebdi which i have foud a good bike to start learning and i make more progress every time i ride (although im still not very good at all because ive only been riding 3/4 days) Im sure that you will find a good bike and really enjoy the sport. good luck :]

[zoo]

Asthma won't affect your riding,i have it and i'm fine.

zoo baby!

[boris_on_trials]

Athsma not a problem i have one of the worst cases in my area acording to my doctor. Just keep your inhaler with you at all times. And remember we where all noobs at one stage. Get in-touch with your local riders.

[Spank]

heya,

so a 26" stock would be better for me because of my height?

i will scour ebay for something that looks semi decent, and hopefully i will find one, but i will run it pastyou guys before i bid, to see what you think of it.

Are prett ymuch all bikes upgradable?

cheers

simon

[ogre]

Most bikes are uprgade able although avoid mission bikes because they're hard to find "standard" sized trial parts, i.e 14mm axles compared to 10mm axles or the forks are to big (at least the mod does anyway). but try to find a frame with 4 bolt magura mounts (maguras being the standard trial brakes because there awesome) even if it has vees lol. but prety much everything on a bike is upgrade able (usually all parts are same size etc) i think lol

[Barbra]

Asthma won't affect your riding,i have it and i'm fine.

zoo baby!

yours isn't serious though its more of an excuse to get home from school at dinner because you can't be arsed stay in

EDIT: sorry for my unhelpfull post

Edited July 14, 2006 by Barber

[Spank]

thanks for all the help so far guys, really appreciate it.

all i have to do now is save up enough money to buy a bike and helmet, which shouldn't take too long.

what do you think of this on i have spied on ebay, the only thing putting me off it is the low price at the minute, probably haves faults. And i do realise i would need to lower the seat to the frame

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DDG-shooter-black-tr...1QQcmdZViewItem

Edited July 14, 2006 by Spank

[Tommy d]

That looks alright to me, and great price. Unless anybody sees any problems with it, I would snap it up cos a a ready built up trials bike for £90 won't crop up very often. Not the most awesome bike ever made... but it would definately get you started

[sunn_bmixx]

all depends how bad your asthma is becasue its effects my friends who rides really badly so he cant ride in the winter

Ian

[nmt_oli]

yeah, that DDG shooter would be good. its an old bike, so not very in demand, but certainly good enough to get started on, can be easily upgraded, and parts could be moved to another frame if needed.

[Spank]

awwwww , i got outbid. i was at work so i couldnt watch over it until the end. so i am back in the market for a bike. probably just means i will be able to get a little more money for one.

any suggestions as to where else to look?

[mat hudson]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tricks-And-Stunts-tr...1QQcmdZViewItem

get yourself a copy of tricks and stunts ^^^ its really helpful.

as far as bikes go, get somthing with a decent geometry to start with, dont want to put yourself at a massive disadvantage do you, somthing like this would do nicley.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Giant-Team-Trials-Bi...1QQcmdZViewItem

[Spank]

as far as mod and stock go...is there any real disadvantage to a taller person using a mod? or just that it looks silly?

cos i look silly most of the time anyway

[mat hudson]

i'd go stock, much better to start on..................... also for most other stuff

[Tommy d]

I think a stock bike would be easier to learn on (putting height aside), mainly because it would feel more like a normal mountain bike than a mod would. A stock bike pretty much IS a mountain bike, with no suspension and a tiny wee seat, whereas a mod bike feels quite different. I think partly it's because of the big long stem? Whenever I get on one I find everything goes pear-shaped when I try and turn the bars...

[Spank]

thanks for all the help guys, just to let you all know i have got hold of a DDG Shooter. i will post pictures and specs when i have gotten it delivered.