JonG71 Posted 23 hours ago Report Share Posted 23 hours ago 50 yr old bucket lister… grew up watching Kick Start! Did push bike trials as a younger and always wanted to progress to motorbike. Where can I go to try it out? Essex, UK based…. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tr1AL Posted 16 hours ago Report Share Posted 16 hours ago (edited) 18 hours ago, JonG71 said: 50 yr old bucket lister… grew up watching Kick Start! Did push bike trials as a younger and always wanted to progress to motorbike. Where can I go to try it out? Essex, UK based…. www.tricksinthesticks.co.uk or www.inchperfecttrials.co.uk These have bikes to hire or take your own and pay less. It is harder than it looks but don't be put off . if you stick at it and put some time in it is a good cheap sunday out (Entries cost around £20 )and there are plenty of trials events around where you are. Find events @ www.tmxnews.co.uk/ whats on this week-end. Southend & District MCC has a trial on 30th NOV @ Poles wood (NEAR THE SECRET BUNKER), Ongar Rd ,Kelvedon Hatch . CM15 0LA Starts 10.30am finish around 15.30pm Riders will be there around 9.00am if you want to ask people questions about bikes and how to get started in the sport . Too find the venue look for a day-glo orange triangle at the side of the road that points to the entrance. Its free to watch and go in for spectators. There is usually a burger van at most trials events if you want to eat/drink there. Most important thing in Trials is a well prepared bike ( Handle bar and bar lever position makes a lot of difference plus I found that oddly footrest type and position made a big difference also) . Tyre pressures are very important in the newest tyres you can afford the best being Michelin X11 . Pressures for mud 5 psi Front 3/3.5 psi Rear and for riding on stone and Rock or dry conditions 6psi Front 4 psi Rear those being the usual starting points . Others will no doubt chime in with their recommendations. Edited 5 hours ago by Tr1AL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemur Posted 4 hours ago Report Share Posted 4 hours ago Find some old guy that has a great place to ride owns 2 trials bikes and does nothing much else but ride and wrench trials bikes 👍 How do you feel about crashes because that is likely to happen, if you are in the habit of participating in rough sports you will likely have no problem. Riding a trials bike on trials terrain is a full body workout if you are doing it right, that will surprise you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feetupsbetter Posted 1 hour ago Report Share Posted 1 hour ago Welcome along to the wonderful world of trials ! Can only really echo what Tr1AL has said, best thing is to go along to an event & talk to people, they’re a friendly lot & they’ll give you more local lowdown and point in the direction of other events, dealers, useful people to get to know, maybe even a bike for sale. I’d suggest going with a cheaper bike initially, even if you can afford new or nearly new, as echoing why lemur said ‘crashes are likely to happen’ and it’s easy to smash a £150 mudguard. (A repair on an older bike doesn’t seem as bad). Having said that, somehow you learn to anticipate ‘get offs’ and mitigate the damage to bike & rider as you get more experience. Usual checks on purchase apply, general condition - should be clean if it’s been looked after, everything should work so - starts easily, brakes, clutch & gears all work & wear parts are good. Most bikes wear parts are quite easily replaceable if you’re anything like handy with spanner’s, but when comparing bikes for sale be aware that a pair of decent tyres (Michelin as above recommendation) will cost £250 ish, chain & sprockets maybe £150 so factor that in to negotiations. Tyres need the ‘cubes/nobbles’ to have sharp corners particularly at the driving edge (forward facing at the top of the tyre), but they can be turned on the rim to double up on working life. You’ll find a lot of talk about set up on here but just go with basics as per Tr1AL and find your own way as you go along. If you start to ride events or regular practice sessions amongst other riders you’ll also get continuing advice as you go. Be prepared for some tongue in cheek abuse too, I often find self deprecation is a useful personal quality when riding (or picking me or the bike up out of a stream) 😂. It’s definitely harder than it looks so be prepared, but go and enjoy, you probably won’t be the only one making silly mistakes as you start off, but there are usually loads of classes so you can start with simpler stuff. GOOD LUCK & please report back on here or ask more questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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