Trials Training And Technique

Hi, sorry the title should say 'trail' Debating whether or not to swap my road bike for a road legal enduro or trail bike. I went to a trial today and it was way too hard for me, mainly because of the terrain getting between sections. Steep muddy hills, 5 mile lap, very steep drops too. I lack aggression in my riding if that makes sense, I want to get comfortable with throwing the bike around and learn to use momentum more. I don't want to wear the trials bike out hence maybe getting something more suitable for longer distances. I have no intentions of giving up, though I don't have much talent or hope I want to keep learning. I know people say getting a trials bike …

new to trials and in the small amount of practice I have done, I have never been 100% sure which gear to choose. at the bottom of a steep climb, there is a tendency to take a runup and use momentum to carry you throgh, you can obviously select a low gear and use the torque and traction to get you up ... or something in between, but how do you know? is it better to do the slower/more controlled or rush up as fast as possible, potentially running out of revvs near the top?

It’s a crazy idea and I just wanted to hear feedback. For back wheel hops, wheelies, or even controlling speed in a section I’ve always struggled with rear brake modulation. I tend to favor the front brake. Tempted to split both brakes off front lever. Lets hear why it’s a horrible idea! Maybe I’ll just give it a go and find out for myself.

I had never seen balance training like this. I think it would be beneficial for trials.

I'm new to trials and as with learning any new endevor, a good basic book always helps. Any recommendations on a book that shows trials tecniques and set ups for a beginner??

Hi all, I'm new to trial bikes and would appreciate a bit of education about slow wheelie. After several weeks of practices, I start to be able to reach the balancing point but have problems with the rear brake pedal. Many instruction say "cover the rear brake" and I have no problem with my dirt bikes doing so. However, my trial bike has the rear brake pedal much higher than my dirt bikes; I can only bring it down to slightly above the level to the foot step. Then, I often inadvertently drag the rear brake as the front wheel gets higher. There are several scenarios I can think of; 1) This is because my body position is wrong during wheel…

would it be good if i did weights to help with my trials riding? Josh

hi all I have been trying to improve my balance lately and was wondering if anyone has some tips or techniques they use to improve? I have a trials bycicle and i use it alot to try and improve. any help welcomed. max

Sorry if this has already been mentioned but this is driving me nuts! I'm new to bikes, recently bought a beta rev 3 trials bike, with a slow puncture on the rear, the leak is coming from some of the spokes. The tyre says its tubeless, but i read somwhere if it has spokes, its got a tube, true? Anyway i want to remove the tube and check it out, and possibly replace/fit a new tube. I have tried using tyre levers and breaking the bead with two pieces of wood pressing down on the rim of the tyre, but everytime i push down the tyre seems to sit back into place again making it very hard to anker the tyre up over the rim. Almost got the point where im gonna have to get it …

Hi guys, its been 2 days since i ride this no-seat bikes and find really uncomfortable with stock levers, specially the clutch... Ive been riding bycicle trials, stunting sportbikes and riding enduro with chopped levers. where I just operate the levers with my index finger... Pros that found are... -You dont pinch your other 3 fingers with the lever -As you will be woriking the lever closer to the bar, with almost a closed fist stance. wou will be using a stronger muscle group (1st flange, rather than 2nd and 3rd for non chopped) for working the clutch and front brake gives you less cramps and is more precise to control under stressful rides -Lowers the chance of a b…

Hey all Had the opportunity to ride a 4rt for a few events this Christmas which meant I stood up all the time. I normally ride a TY250, which allows me sit down, between sections and relax. Very quickly I started suffering from really bad lower back pain. I suffer from this time to time while riding my YZF250 during hare and hounds. I know fitting bar risers would help but is there any exercises I can do to build up my lower back? I also want to build up general riding fitness but I can only get out on my bike about once a month. Any one know of any exercises to keep myself fit when I am not racing. Thanks in advance Scott

I have a Sherco 125. In one particular section today, just a slight initial slope, soaking wet, in thick, slippery clay/mud, I could not get any traction at all - to even get near the tricky bits. I have Michelin x11 on the front and an X lite on the rear. Front was 6 pounds and the rear was 3 pounds. I am around 15 stone. What pressures might help?

Hi guys I can make it over a single free standing drum but im not sure if the technique is right. Im trying the double blip thing, first one puts front tire on drum, second one I throw weight forward to pull back onto drum. I do try to bounce the rear wheel up just befor the second blip to help. Have I got the basics right? I am riding the bash plate over the drum and it doesnt feel graceful, more like just powering the bike over. Keep in mind im brand new to trials and have only been riding for about a month (2weeks of that has been waiting for torn ligaments in the ankle to heel).

I am looking for advice on suspension setup. I ride an 2005 Beta Rev 3, I was riding a few sections today through some streambeds with a friend. He owns a Gas Gas 280, we swopped bikes and I noticed that his front end is super planted and doesn't deflect like mine. I am not sure whether it is the bike difference or suspension, any advice would be appreciated. This isn't a bike bashing question just looking to make my bike less nervous through the stream beds???

Does anyone have any tips for splatting big objects? 99% of people will tell me all you need is balls and to just rev the engine and dump the clutch, Ive got the balls (and the stupidity) and quickly realised that theres alot more to it than that. Im looking to get as much lift as possible from my splats, currently trying them using a kicker but not getting the desired height from it. My usual technique for rocks is punching the front wheel into the rock to get that "spring" effect, this seems the work great for me but I cant seem to get over anything more than 5ft using it. any advice is welcome! All the best Tom

What length levers do people recommend using? Also what brand of levers do you like? For the short time I have had the trials bike I have found I am comfortable using mainly just one or two finger on the controls depending on what I'm doing.

Right then, I have come to realise that for me to enjoy and make a reasonable assault on the SSDT next year I need to be super fit, so has anyone got any tips/ training programs to help??? I know the best thing to do is go out on the bike as often as pos but I have no practice area but I do ride every weekend and go to the gym about 4 times a week. I would be interested what kind of training program the world class boys have, any clues????

I wear varifocal glasses all the time and can't see very well without them. The problem I have with them is my spatial awareness when standing up on the bike is, unless I'm looking straight down, is ****e! I was wondering if other spec wearers have this problem?

So today I went out on the bike for the first real time. And tbh it scared me senseless ... I was just doing figure 8s and I was fine riding circles, could balance no probse but I then used 2nd gear and a few more revs to move off .. front lurched up and I felt totally out of control after nearly coming off the back. Properly had the shakes after and couldn't get back on it. Now I'm worried I've made a mistake trying it .. can anyone help / share their advice or experience? Did you all start the same ? Steve

A question about foot placement for a relative newbie ..........as you move on to splatter and need holding pressure and such in the learning process - I am finding that its key to have the rear brake covered -but am finding that its difficult to cover the rear brake during a splatter for instance without applying it somewhere during the technique as the leg/foot/footrest angles change rapidly - do the better riders move their toes to the side and ready or have it over the lever during splatters and such and go through the pain of sometimes catching it as they learn ?? Tnx