Trials Training And Technique

I completely understand that there is no replacement for getting out on your bike and riding. but what are the best exercises, you can do in the gym through the week to help your fitness for riding at the weekend ? cardio? Strength training? Interval training? Combo?

Riding is hard on my arms. My forearms get pretty sore and can stay that way, mostly the extensors. Are there any techniques or tips to help a person ride with less arm and more leg? Just trying to use less arm does not seem that effective. I do exercise and stretch my forearms so believe this is a technique issue more than a fitness issue. Age does not help.

Hi all, I have been working a lot on Fakies (roll backs) and am coming to a point that I have a decent balance! for instance after doing a nose wheelie or simply stopping on a steep hill, I can usually reverse for 5 yards or so without a problem, What I m struggling with is to do a 180. I use to be able to do these in a mountain bike or BMX but somehow the technique is not quite the same. Does anyone have tips for me? ant trick riders out here? I have been trying to keep my weight far back and in the opposite side of which the bike is leaning, but I could use some tips. Unfortunately there are no tutorials for this technique online. If I learn it well I…

One of the tricks that I like but have no idea how to do it is jumping forward without any speed. How to do it? I dont know how do they call it. But it's often done by riders on their videos. The're standiogn on the rock and then jump to another one. Can you explain it how to do it?

There's a lot of confusion about Double blip vs jap zap. The terms seem to have become interchangeable but this video is about what is traditionally called a Jap Zap, popping the clutch and trying to get lift with the rear wheel. My trials bike is broken so I filmed this on the enduro bike.. It all works the same but looks slightly different with body positioning and you won't get near the same lift. General rule of thumb regarding body positioning that I didn't mention in the video, stand in front of the obstacle and jump up to it - then just do the same thing on the bike; jump up with your body and the bike will follow. Hope this helps someone. I'll try to reduce t…

I feel I am struggling with trials although I am enjoying it my scores are like 30 plus marks off the pace and that's on the easiest route I know I need to practice more but don't have anywhere to go or anyone to practice with alot of sections are in burns with stones and I just don't have the control I need over them I want to practice just can't find anywhere to go just seem a bit stuck

I am new to trials, really new. I just picked up my first bike this week. With that said I have a million questions but one of the most pressing is which gear should I be in. One of my friends that has been riding trials for awhile says he rarely gets out of first gear. I have read some tips that say you should be shifting up to third gear for getting over larger obstacles. Anyway, does anyone have a couple of tips?

I know that this is a very advanced technique and most of people can only dream about it, but I just wanna make sure I m on the right track! I can do several complete stops while wheeling like slow holding pressure, lets say 7-8 on a good run. I m not fully controlling the direction but I m also trying to stop for as long as possible each time. My questions are: What gear should I be training this?? I usually use 1st. it seems easier to bring the nose up and requires less distance... anyone out there that hops well on the rear? what gear do you use? is there any terrain I should look for?? like, I thought about few small 4" diameter logs lined up just far…

Hi Folks, Sorry for bringing up an old topic! I remember reading something about the subject but couldn't find the Thread. Does anyone have a Trials Bicycle for cross training?? does it really help? I would love to hear some feedback. thanks

Hi all. The wife and I are doing our first Trials event on 15 October. We are practicing turns, ascents, descents and balance as much as we can, but are wondering if any of you have any tips on what else we should be doing in preparation. Maybe riding over small logs or rocks or something to get used to it? I'm not sure how one actually sharpen the skills of walking a section and planning lines, etc so any suggestions would be appreciated.

I guess this isn't really a Montesa question in general. I have a 06' Montesa 4RT, I am a beginner, started to do figure 8, using two flags, as I get better will move them closer, my question is this, where the bike idles high, I have my index finger on clutch and front brake, as I go through my process, all I have been doing is using the clutch and front break a tad, NOT USING THROTTLE, is this correct? Or should I be using throttle? Thanks Philip

Hi all, does anybody know of someone running specifically pre 65 or classic trials courses? I've heard lots of good reports of Mick Andrews training, but having searched the web I can't find anywhere to book.

Hi all, Does anyone else get stuff fingers and knees after riding a lot? I've only been riding a few months so I'm kind of hoping it's something my body's just getting used to. It only happens after a few days of hard practise/trials. I tend to practice once or twice a week and have one maybe two trials a week also. I think a lot of it may be coming from practicing on my trials push bike in between.. first my fingers feel a bit stiff in the morning maybe my knees then if I practice again the next morning my fingers get that lock kind of feeling when I'm moving them. It doesn't effect anything other than being sore and annoying. I find I have to give it 2 days r…

Here is a slow motion video showing pretty advance (for me!) techniques but I found it very useful anyways:

Hi all, I know alot of these types of problems have been discussed but not seen any about this particular issue. Been riding for a few years and just getting back into it after a bit of a break. As long as i can remember i have always struggled with pain/cramps in my clutch hand after a couple of laps of sections. Hand obviously just gets tired and then becomes really weak usually meaning i struggle to pull the clutch in! Gets sore around my wrist and just feels like theres no strength in the hand at all. Any ideas what the problem is ? Or a solution? Other than manning up... Cheers

Hi All, I'm a total newbie to trials, Never will be any good, too many years on tarmac, too old plus Zero ability, what the hell? It's great fun! Anyway, I've been trawling through this site gathering tips on balance (superb group of knowledgeable people here BTW) I've been trying in my garage, engine off and on, tyres nice and low and struggled to balance for even 2 seconds. Anyway, today I was walking up yo my Beta Evo 250 and thought I'd try it with the sidestand down to give me a bit of confidence, Guess what? Soon I was managing about 5 seconds! Feel I've made a minor breakthrough. I must clarify, the stand wasn't touching the ground, it was just there to g…

I've the basic full lock turn technique on hard grippy surface down, but on a slippery surface like hard pack dirt covered with loose dirt I keep getting into trouble with the front wheel pushing, sliding on the dirt, enlarging the turn. So I am wondering what's the best technique: keep the bike as straight as possible and lean it in the turn as far as possible? Or anywhere in between. Weight inside / outside peg? Inside / outside bar end? Weight or un-weight the front wheel? Anything else? Thanks. DC

I recently picked up this little gem from my local secondhand bookshop. Thinking I had at last found the answer to decades of struggling in the sections, a kind of pre video age forerunner to Ryan Young's benchmark productions, my anticipation was sorely demolished on opening the book. Not a mention of clutch control, counterweighting or splat technique. Instead, a somewhat heavy emphasis on the use of lemon juice, ammonia and scouring pads. Not my thing at all. Considering it cost me 25 pence I feel cheated. It's going back in the morning.

I see that some riders can get a very quick almost explosive jump up from the pegs when unloading. When I attempt, it feels kind of slow and mostly like I'm compressing the rear suspension rather than pushing my body up quickly. Does this imply that my timing is off...maybe too early? I get some lift but not as much as I would like. I'm 155 lbs if that makes a difference.

Uphill and slippy muddy entrance to section. Tried starting off in 3rd with weight over back. Could not even get into section. Same if I sat down and padded. could not get initial grip to start off. Any advice appreciated.