I will be possibly looking at a fantic 403 monoshock aircooled drum brakes, as a beginner could I get through a few years of trials, and ridding with the locals and maybe at my first couple of events with this bike. Or is it hard to compete with the older bikes and a waste of time and money (tight) should I save for longer and get a newer bike or if it is in good shape go for it? Do any of you compete with your bikes and do OK?

Dan

Edited December 31, 201015 yr by Danster

Better to ride and work on the basics than wait and not ride at all. Trials takes years of practice. When you do upgrade your bike you will quickly improve and be motivated by how much fun the 'new' bike is.

if you are just a beginner it will be hard work.you are better buying a modern bike.buy as good a bike you can afford , it will pay its way in the long run.if you buy an old bike to start with its hard to ride and could sometimes put you of trials.hope this helps willie.

nowt wrong with older bikes,perfect for starting out on.ive allways had older bikes,and enjoyed myself.

Save yer money and get as new as you can, i spent a small fortune restoring my old twin shock, then tried a newer bike and the difference is miles apart. the newer bikes are more robust as well.

Thanks for the advice quite cosistent with the responces new as you can is better, is what I read everywhere.

I will hold out for a while and see what shows up.

Dan

You could always ride it at events that have an Air cooled mono shock class ?

It doesn't look like that is a common class. Are you pulling my leg? As a mono I would have to compete in a normal class Beginner/novice but at that level it should be OK the bike will not be the issue? I think I should just get a bike that will not take lots of work to ride and ride/learn.

Just noticed you are from Canada. ACMono is a popular and getting more so over this side of the pond.

Save yer money and get as new as you can, i spent a small fortune restoring my old twin shock, then tried a newer bike and the difference is miles apart. the newer bikes are more robust as well.

New bikes more robust - I dont think so.

New bikes more robust - I dont think so.

Yeah I agree, newer bikes are much more fragile than the old twin shockers and air cooled mono's. You could throw those old ones down rock faces and pick them up and have very little damage. Try that with a modern bike

Edited April 12, 201115 yr by fergie

I reckon it comes down to what you prefer [looks, technology, condition] and how mechanical you are?

I have a twin shocker because i was introduced to the sport after selling an old Bultaco and one of my first bikes was a Bully.

Because I'm older i like the look of twin shockers and get how to do some of the simpler maintenance tasks plus I rub elbows with guys who like the older ones too.

However if its just a price thing I would be looking at the most reliable and best condition bike you can afford.

A low hour anything already to compete is a bargain compared to doing one up....

Also non stop trials on a twin shocker is a different sport to contemporary style....more flowing and more cornering skills and handling than the newer stuff.

Good luck with the decisions.

Just for a different take on this question.

Look at what has happened to post -65 twinshock prices over the last few years.

What is next on the list to start getting more expensive rather than less?