What's Bike Trials?

Bike trials is a worldwide sport developed from motorcycle trials.  The sport emphasize the rider's ability to ride various obstacles using precise balance, power and trials-specific techniques.

Unlike a mountain bike, there are no fancy suspension forks, shocks or any extra components. Though the bike look similar to that of a mountain bike, different geometry sets trials bikes apart allowing a rider to perform various techniques.  Higher bottom bracket clearance and shorter chainstay (to balance on the rear wheel much easier) are some of the distinct style of a trials bike.

There are three types of trials bike explained here.  20" also known as the 'mod' looks similar to that of a BMX bike but with much different geometry and like all other trials bike is made of aluminum frame.  24" is a popular street oriented trials bike designed to perform BMX oriented techniques as well as trials techniques.  The 26" or the 'stock' bike have the same wheel diameter of a mountain bike with different geometry explained earlier.

There are competitions worldwide where rider's skills are put to the test.  Currently the competitions are based on BIU and UCI rules.

With either rules, the rider must stay on designated course and the bike to avoid penalty points.  Each section may be man-made and/or use of natural terrains to see who can ride through with the least amount of points.

In a BIU rule, pedals and bash ring/bashguards are allowed to touch various obstacles.  The newest rule, UCI, is where no part of the bike except the tires can touch any object within a section.  Penalty points are given if a rider's foot touches the ground/object as well as any part of the bike that hits/rests on the obstacle.

Automatic five points may given if a rider going off course (usually falls) and goes beyond the time limit which disqualifies them for that particular section.

The classes are usually divided into beginner, sport, expert, and pro (or elite).  Each category has a limit, for a sport section you won't see an obstacle/object that are higher than a foot.  With the pro/elite section the sections are considered one of the toughest with sections that demand highest level of skill and experience.

If you're new to trials, you can learn basic techniques, such as trackstands, pivoting on front wheel and overall get the feel of the bike.  With a trials specific bike, advanced techniques can be performed as the rider progress in the sport.

Some advanced technique as 'tap' where front wheel is tapped during a rider goes up an object to gain extra momentum reaching on top of an obstacle as high as five feet.  Other commonly used techniques such as pedal kicks allow a rider to move from one obstacle to another by simply hopping on the rear wheel while keeping balance and control.  

Have any questions?  Comments?  Contact us any time if you're new to the sport and would like to get started!