Gear ratio spacing- which trials bike could make a trail bike?

[JonM]

Hi all, for context/back story I have a 300 Sherco trials bike and 300 Sherco 4-stroke enduro bike- and struggle to find time to use either!

My trials riding is Novice level and living on the London/Essex border, my 'enduro' riding is the odd enduro practice day or Hare & Hounds practice day.

Generally tighter stuff, and again I'm Novice level.

 

I can't justify having both bikes, so am considering a trials bike with long-ride kit.

A Honda 4-Ride is the logical option but I'm a little wary, so that leaves TRS, Beta, or Sherco.

 

My Sherco has a biiiiiiig jump between 3rd and 4th, which isn't ideal. How do the TRS and Beta compare?

[ChrisCH]

I have a TRS but have never been more than about 20mph on it.  Have you thought about a Beta Alp?  You can do long distance trials and green lanes and so on.  I keep looking for one but they are hard to find and the new ones are "rally" type to cash in on the adventure bike fad.  I have a CRF250L but it would be useless for trials.  Great fun though.

[konrad]

This is a topic near and dear to me. I keep spreadsheets with gear ratios for a variety of bikes.  Modern trials bikes will all have the same problem, a wide gap between the "section" ratios and the "loop" ratios.

The most even spacing I've measured among trials bikes was my old TXT321.  Never had that gearbox apart, but counted motor revs per wheel rev as: 39.25, 33.75, 26.50, 20.75, 13.25, 9.00. 

Typically, a 6-speed box will offer a slight improvement over your Sherco's 5-speed. 

FWIW, I've discovered that single-speed electric trials bikes work really well as a technical trail bike.

[JonM]

Thank you for the input.

 

A Beta Alp (or Freeride, or equivalent) is no good to me as I can't use it as a trials bike. I'd keep my Enduro bike, as I do actually do the odd motocross race on it, too, and today was riding quite happily at a motocross practice track.

Green laning doesn't appeal to me, I'm looking for a trials bike that I can use at for trials...

..and then put a bigger tank and seat on to do Enduro/hare & hounds practice.

I know it's a knife to a gun fight, but at least it does one thing well.

[JonM]

3 hours ago, konrad said:

This is a topic near and dear to me. I keep spreadsheets with gear ratios for a variety of bikes.  Modern trials bikes will all have the same problem, a wide gap between the "section" ratios and the "loop" ratios.

The most even spacing I've measured among trials bikes was my old TXT321.  Never had that gearbox apart, but counted motor revs per wheel rev as: 39.25, 33.75, 26.50, 20.75, 13.25, 9.00. 

Typically, a 6-speed box will offer a slight improvement over your Sherco's 5-speed. 

FWIW, I've discovered that single-speed electric trials bikes work really well as a technical trail bike.

Thanks, Konrad.

 

ACU currently aren't keen on electric Enduro or MX bikes- and of course it's the range issue.

I want to be able to do a lap (with a seat), come in, refuel, go again.

[faussy]

I would worry about any 2 stroke trials bike long term doing any sort of enduro. I dont particularly like 4rts, but you will at least know the gearbox and engine will stand the abuse 

[lemur]

Viva Montesa 👍

Competition gearing preference is close ratio gearbox like an MX bike where enduro and dual sport typically used wide ratio gearbox.   CR vs WR and once you ride both you will quickly develop a preference.