matthias87 Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 Hello everyone!I'm new to the trial scene, primarly I'm an enduro rider and a mountain biker, but now wants to get my first trials bike. I do not intend to ride my bike as a classical trials bike only, I also wan't it for riding on the land that one of my friends own, and that will be mainly trails riding and freeriding. I will also ride the bike on the mountain bike freeride course that we built there (http://vimeo.com/78294596). My questions are these: - Can I use a trials bike for this type of riding? I guess I will have to change the sprockets so it will work better in a little bit higher speeds and also adjust the suspenion a bit harder so I will not bottom out everywhere. Do I have to do anything else? - What will the service intervals be? I've read it's everything from 15 to 60 hours for oil change and will I have to service the bike more often if I ride it like I intend to do?What will I have to do more the cleaning the air filter and changing gear oil? - What bike should I aim for? I've heard the GasGas frames are weaker and that Beta and Honda have the strongest frames? This is pretty important for me as I will jump a lot with the bike, and I have seen many bikes that brake on youtube - I've been told that it's not good for the bike if I use it for both classical trials riding (meaning not rev up much) and also freeriding in the same session as it will make the bike REALLY warm and possible the exhaust can catch fire? I think this sounds really strange, but that's what I've been told. Is it true? I think that's it for now. If anyone would like to help me out with these questions I would be really thankful! Regards,Matthias Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_t Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 Great video! Do you plan on riding actual trials events or are you more interested in just having a really light trail bike? There are bikes like the Ossa explorer and the Sherco X-ride that are trail bikes with Trials motors. Depending where you live there are also light endure bikes like the KTM freeride that are designed more for trail riding than racing. What are you riding as an enduro bike today are you going to keep it for racing enduro events? Sorry for answering your questions with more questions but there are many directions you could go with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthias87 Posted October 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 (edited) Hi Michael, Thank you No, I don't plan to be doing actual trials events, just want a lighter, more flickable and more silent trail bike, as we would disturb the neighbours to much if we rode our enduro bikes there. The KTM Freeride would also sound too much I think. I'm not sure I want the lightest trials bike though as I've seen a lot (mostly Duponts) trials bike that break. I intend to do pretty much jumping and some big drops (3-5 meters to landning), just like in the movie. Are the Ossa Explorer and Sherco-X strong enough, or should I look for a Beta or a Honda, which my friend told me are the strongest bikes. Today I ride a KTM EXC 400, but planning on getting a EXC 250 instead. No problem, I just appreciate that you took the time and try to help me out! /Matthias Edited October 23, 2014 by matthias87 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slicktop Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 The suspension on a modern trials is designed to be augmented by your arms and legs to absorb hits. Riding one like a mx'er will destroy the bike in relatively short order. Maintainance is dependent on how you ride, If you are at the top of the revs consistantly then the oil will need to be freshened more often as with any other bike with heavy use. The air filter of course needs more attention if riding in dusty enviroments. Exhaust fires are caused by oily packing. Useally these bikes are not building up temps capable of burning off all the excess oil that collects in the packing, and when you hammer down on a trail the oil in the exhaust can ignite causing the bike to smoke heavily. The best way to prevent that scenario is to use the proper oil mix ratio as related in the owners manual. Typically 100-80:1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthias87 Posted October 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 Thanks for your answer!How do other people that ride trails on the trials bike do then, if this type of riding will destroy the bike in short time?Ok, but I've read so much different thing about maintainance. I won't be at the top of the revs consistantly, the trails here won't allow it. Should every 15th hour be enough for service?Ok, so oil packing won't be a problem as long as I use the proper oil mix? Regards, Matthias Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slicktop Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 Dont get me wrong, You can ride like a trailbike. Big high speed jumps, whoops, and diving into turns just isnt what trials bikes do best. I change oil every 5-6hrs. That is exssesive but I like clean oil. You would be safe following guidelines set in the owners manual. Check the packing now and again, It is a normal maintainance item on a 2t and is easy to replace on some bikes.(Beta) Brakes could be the biggest issue when trailing. Trials braking systems are dainty and are not the best at dissapating heat. A trials bike on the trail will shine when the going gets rough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthias87 Posted October 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 No, I am aware that it's not the best choice, but I believe it's the best choice that won't disturb the neighbours to much Oh, that's often! "Following the guidelines set in the owners manual", how often is that usually? The only thing I found was 60 hours, but that sounds too long? Yes, the packing will be checked often then. Maybe I could change brakes to something more trail friendly then? Thanks for the answer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motovita Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 Brakes could be the biggest issue when trailing. Trials braking systems are dainty and are not the best at dissapating heat. Especially if used on a downhill MTB course. Of course with a motor you could ride up the course . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_t Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 My X-ride and GasGas are both very quiet compared to an enduro bike so your neighbours will be happy. I wouldn't be too concerned about breaking the frame doing a run like the one in your video... I would ask the mountain bikers before thinking about riding a motorized vehicle on there trails. Trials bikes are VERY different from enduros I would strongly suggest trying one before buying as they are totally different than what you are used to. here is a 35 meter jump - that is 7 times bigger than you are thinking http://youtu.be/CBCGHeLKBOw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthias87 Posted October 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 I think it's hard to not be concerned about the frame. I've seen several break, including my friends. And Dupont have broken a few, and even though he clearly is more talented, I intend to ride the same sized jumps. Can someone confirm if the Beta and Honda frames are stronger?Yes, I will try my friends trials bike before I buy anything Oh, that was one big jump But it's also a good landning, so it shouldn't break there. If you do big drops I believe the landning sometimes will be tougher on the bike actually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_t Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 I had a friend who broke the frame on his new Beta without any big drops... I don't have any exact numbers but I would say they are all similar. You are correct landing on hill is much easier on the bike than landing flat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawtooth Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 The steering geometry of a trials bike is designed for slower speeds, it won't ride very nice at faster speeds, it will feel all wrong and unstable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cascao Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 (edited) You need something like that: http://thekneeslider.com/derbi-dh-20-motorcycle-mountain-bike-concept/ or http://www.sugarcayne.com/2013/08/motoped-conversion-kit/ Edited October 23, 2014 by cascao Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mags Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 Grab a trials bike... Learn the art of Trials. Static balance for 5 minutes motor off. Fig8's. Enter a trial or two and minimum dabs. Transfer new skills to a 4 stroke enduro 250cc with stock pipe. Ride the trails using trials skills on enduro when needed. I've seen people doing trials on an enduro bike. If you dont get addicted to trials sell bike and keep enduro. Mags Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mags Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 Have a peek at this thread by Sherconoob... especially the first video in it. Trial Techniques Applied To Dirt And Enduro Bikes thread in the Trials Training and Technique section of the forum. Mags Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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