[cowboycharlie]

Can someone explain trials to me. I saw a guy riding a bike and asked him what it was, ala no seat, he said it was a trial bike? I Googled it but still not sure. You just go downhill really fast on it and time it?

[IanHighfield]

If it was a skinny-tyre road bike it was a time trial bike. Riding with no seat is a not-so-common way to strengthen the legs. This technique (riding seatless) was used years ago but not much today.

If it was a mountain bike I don't know what it's about. Unless they call downhill racing "trials", too, and he was out practicing without a seat or maybe it's done that way. I'm not a MTBer.

"Trials" or time trialing is a race against the clock, not a pack race. Riders start 30-60 seconds apart and are timed separately. Often called "The Race Of Truth" it's the best test of a cyclist's true ability for there is no drafting or team tactics. Time trials are not very popular in the USA but dominate the British racing scene and are very popular elsewhere in Europe and Australia. Those who don't care for trialling often say it is boring. It is not boring, it's painful and devastating to the body when done correctly. Pack or road racing is much easier on the rider and is thus more easily approached psychologically.

[HandsomeRyan]

Ian is correct about time trials but in all likelihood the type of trials riding you are referring to is a form of mountain biking.

It is a style of riding where you attempt to climb up and over objects without putting your feet down.

YouTube - Street - Urban Bike Trial endofmonty

[IanHighfield]

Ryan, never heard of this trial business until watching the video. Very wild. I like the hop up onto the park bench. Edgewise.

[CTD50]

Ian, check out Danny MacAskill on youtube -- young man will blow your mind!

[HandsomeRyan]

Originally Posted by CTD50

Ian, check out Danny MacAskill on youtube -- young man will blow your mind!

This-
YouTube - Inspired Bicycles - Danny MacAskill April 2009

[cwtrials]

Hey guys,

I believe I'm one of the only actual trials riders on this forum.

To understand more about why trials are so completely different than other bikes see my bike in the bike registry: http://www.twospoke.com/forum/f138/stock-trials-bicycle-5428/

Trials can encompass a broad range of styles but the main goal is to overcome any obstacle, any way possible. Some riders have more of a street bmx influenced style, such as Danny Mackaskill. Other riders have what would be referred to as a "pure" or "competition" style.

Trials competition in the US is rare. However, in europe it is more prevalent. In a competition courses are set up with various obstacles the rider needs to get over. Point are awarded for putting down a foot, hitting a portion of the bicycle other than the tires, etc. The goal of course is to complete with the least amount of points. Riders are NOT allowed to pre-ride the course.

Many bicycle world records are held by trials bicyclists.
For example this is the link to benito ros doing a 1.42 meter sidehop over a bar:

YouTube - Benito Ros - The Highest Bunny Hop - Guiness World Record

YouTube - Benito Ros - The Highest Bunny Hop - Guiness World Record

Trials skills can include jumping on the rear wheel from a stop up onto objects or across gaps. (world record gap between two stationary platforms of equal height with NO starting speed is over 13 feet!) Trials riders are now also bunnyhoping to the FRONT wheel first. World class riders can get onto ledges over 5 ft high with no jump to assists.

I'll attach one of my videos here, made a couple years ago:

YouTube - cwtrials trials video

YouTube - cwtrials trials video

[funetical]

I've been wanting more and more to move into trial bikes.

[cwtrials]

It's a fun change. Even if you don't fully commit learning a little trials will help other aspects of riding. You can start learning trials on your XC bike before making the purchase.

TrashZen.com has a good amount of information on getting started if you want to learn more.

Because of a recent surge of interest in trials you can also find a lot of lightly used almost new trials bike online from people who gave up. Check out the for sale section of pinkbike.com Any new trials bike WILL feel completley awkward compared to anything else you've ever ridden. Similar to how uncomfortable driving a formula car might feel. It works amazing, but feels strange till you get used to it.

[funetical]

Originally Posted by cwtrials

It's a fun change. Even if you don't fully commit learning a little trials will help other aspects of riding. You can start learning trials on your XC bike before making the purchase.

TrashZen.com has a good amount of information on getting started if you want to learn more.

Because of a recent surge of interest in trials you can also find a lot of lightly used almost new trials bike online from people who gave up. Check out the for sale section of pinkbike.com Any new trials bike WILL feel completley awkward compared to anything else you've ever ridden. Similar to how uncomfortable driving a formula car might feel. It works amazing, but feels strange till you get used to it.

I'll check it out, thanks for the links!