Bicycle trial rider

Bike trials is a form of mountain biking derived from motorcycle trials. The rider negotiates man-made and natural obstacles without their feet touching the ground. It originated in Spain and is said to have been invented by Ot Pi’s father (a world champion motorcycle trials rider). As it is hard for small children to control motorcycle trials bikes, he had wanted his son to learn and to practice motorcycle trials on an ordinary push bike instead of a motorbike. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (816x612, 348 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Bike trials riding Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to create or digitize it. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (816x612, 348 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Bike trials riding Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to create or digitize it. ... Mountain biker riding in the Arizona desert. ... Montesa Cota 4RT Motorcycle Trials, also termed Observed Trials or Observed Motorcycle Trials, is a non-speed event on specialized motorcycles. ... Ot Pi is a Spanish bike-trials rider, often regarded as the man responsible for the disciplines origin. ...

At the most basic level, trials riding can be summed up as bicycle handling skills. It evolved from motorcycle trial riding (riding up, over obstacles, man-made or natural) into an off-season bicycle pastime. It now has a strong — though small — following, and can be seen worldwide. Skills taken from trials riding can be used practically on any bicycle for balance, for example controlled braking and track standing, or balancing on the bike without putting a foot down. Trial bike characteristics include, but are not limited to: powerful brakes, wide handlebars, light parts, low gearing, and a thick rear tire that provides grip and a heavy emphasis on frame geometry and no seat. “Velo” redirects here. ... The track stand is a method that bicycle riders can use to stay balanced on their bicycles without putting a foot down and while moving only minimal distances. ...

It is completely different from individual time trial races, which are an element of road bicycle racing. An Individual Time Trial (ITT) is a road bicycle race in which cyclists race alone against the clock (in French: contre la montre - literally against the watch). There are also track-based time trials where riders compete in velodromes, and team time trials (TTT). ... Road bicycle racing is a popular bicycle racing sport held on roads (following the geography of the area), using racing bicycles. ...

Rulings

The general principle in a bike trials competition is to ride a number of pre-marked sections (usually 2 laps of 10 sections or 3 laps of 7 sections), the winner being the rider with the least points at the end of the competition.

The maximum number of points that can be obtained in each section is 5, the lowest (and best) score is 0 points or ‘clean’. The most common way to gain a point is by putting a foot down within a section; for this reason points are sometimes known as ‘dabs’. Certain rules enforce the number of points gained within a section, for example, putting both feet down will result in 5 points. Exceeding the time limit for the course will either result in 5 points (BIU rules) or an additional point for every 15 seconds over the limit (UCI rules).

Types of bike trial Competitions

Currently there are two regulated types of competition ruling, enforced by the UCI and BikeTrial International Union. Entrance of UCI headquarter at Aigle (Switzerland) Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is a professional cycling union that oversees cycling events in the international community. ...

UCI

Within UCI ruling, if any part of the bike except the tires touch any object in the course, a dab will be given. The UCI rules were changed to this format after too many competitions ended in a draw and riders were forced to ride an extra section. UCI rules also allows riders to compete in both mod and stock categories.

When a rider is in a section, neither tire is allowed to cross the side boundary tape even if the wheel is in the air. The rider’s hands must remain on the handlebars. Riders in the 26″ class must also have six working gears.

The UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships are held annually and crown a 20-inch and 26-inch wheel trials world champion called hans rey! The first professional UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships took place in Durango (USA) in 1990. ...

BIU

The rules are unlike UCI scoring and parts of the bike (for example, bash guard or bash ring, cranks and pedals) can rest on an object without resulting in a ‘dab’. The level of riding for the elite 20″ class is regarded as the highest in bicycle racing since the section beginner is set at the highest technical level.

Bike types

Over the years, trials bikes have become very specialized. There are two types of trial bikes in competition classes, the 20″ or mod and the 26″ or stock. There are also a few 24″ trials bikes, though these are deemed illegal are not allowed to be used in most competition circuits. All trial bikes have powerful brakes (usually hydraulic rim brakes, or to a lesser degree, hydraulic disc brakes, the latter being primarily a marketing issue as opposed to any increase in braking power over hydraulic rim brakes or even cable-operated "V" brakes.) in order for the rider to have maximum control over the bike. Grip is very important so wide tires (2.2–2.7″) with soft, sticky rubber compounds are run on wide rims (32–47mm), to help spread the tire contact patch permitting lower tire pressures (10–25psi) to be used without the risk of tire rolling off the rim. Gear ratios are also low to allow the rider maximum power and quick acceleration of the bike at the typically low speeds of trials riding. Mods usually have an 18-tooth sprocket and a 12-tooth rear cog whilst stocks vary from 22/19 all the way down to 18/12. Contact patch is the name applied to the area of a vehicles tire that is in contact with the road surface. ...

20″ — ‘modified’

The 20″ variety of trials bike (known as a modified or mod bike) is a small, short trials bike with a 20″ front wheel and a 19″ rear rim, consisting of only one gear, a bash guard to protect the frame from any damage and to grip onto objects, and a large rear tire (2.5–3.0″) similar to a trials motorcycle rear tire. The term ‘mod’ comes from the fact that the frames were originally modified BMX frames, now used for trials. These where also the first type of training bikes for mototrials riders. Modern "Mod" bikes have longer wheelbases, making them easier to ride over obstacles and particularly "gaps".

26″ — ‘stock’

The 26″ variety of trials bike (known as a stock bike) was originally derived from a normal mountain bike kept in original condition. Now, however, this designation is often used to describe any trials bike with 26" wheels. Many modern competition stock trials bikes lack a standard bicycle seat and seatpost. During competition the rider has no need for these, and the omission of them allows for an arguably lighter bike which for some riders interferes less with the body movements of the rider.

26″ ‘comp’ (competition)

These bikes have a higher bottom bracket (330–420mm) to increase bash ring clearance, no seat, short chain stays (365–385mm), a long wheelbase (1050–1115mm) and normal head angles (70–72º). This geometry eases balancing on the back wheel, gapping (jumping on the back wheel) from one obstacle to the next and side-hopping (jumping up with the bike parallel to an object).

26″ ‘street’

These bikes tend to have a shorter wheelbase (1000–1050mm), steeper head angles (72–74º), zero-drop bottom brackets and seats. They are typically used for street style trials or smaller riders, and the bikes are not as specialized. This geometry — which is similar to BMX geometry — makes the bike easier to bunny-hop (jump over an obstacle at speed) and manual (roll on the rear wheel whilst the front wheel is held up), and the increased head angle makes it easier to move the bike around whilst on the front wheel. These bikes tend to appear more along the lines of a mountain bike than the natural or competition 26″ bikes even if geometry-wise they are not. A BMX Race. ...

Due to the recent surge of street riding, particularly in the UK, there are now several brands almost exclusively for street riding. These bikes are legal to enter in most competitions due to the wheel size but are also not very suited for natural riding in comparison to comp bikes or mods mainly because of their overly steep head angles. Skilled riders, however can compensate for that and ride one bike on virtually any terrain.

Community

Being a sport not as common as others, Trials riders have more of a challenge to gain social status among others. In some cases, a rider can find himself on his/her own for a 10 mile radius, and although the sport is increasing in popularity, it still is difficult for some riders to ride with others. In a lot of big cities, there are large groups of riders that come together frequently to practice and have fun. In other cases, two or more smaller groups can communicate via the internet (most typically trials-forum, see external links) and organise a ride at a location.

Trials popularity swells every 6 to 8 years, as a new generation of riders "discover" the sport. The advent of the Internet has given rise to many self-proclaimed experts on the sport, despite the fact that the sport is older than they are. The Internet trials websites are littered with these "experts" giving out false and biased advice, despite the fact that oftentimes they literally don't know what they are talking about. Caution should be observed when attempting to glean advice about trials online. It would be far better to go to a bicycle trials event, when possible, to gain knowledge about the sport from people who actually ride.

Public views and reactions are mixed to street trials riding. Some members of the public find it offensive and anti-social when large groups of trials riders gather in an area and potentially 'damage' concrete/brick walls with rubber tyres. Others find it fascinating and marvel at how such basic moves can be carried out, let alone heart stopping, high risk moves. Police and community officers are clamping down on extreme sports in public areas however. If they see trials riders (or BMX riders, skaters, etc.) they will ask them to move on. If the offenders persist on too many more occasions, usually at the personal discretion of the officer, yellow cards and in extreme cases ASBOs can be issued. A skateboarder in the middle of a trick Skateboarding is the act of rolling on or interacting with a skateboard. ... In the United Kingdom an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) is a civil order made against a person, as a result of persistent anti-social behaviour. ...

Old School, New School

Riding styles

These two styles are well known in the majority of sports and trials is no exception. When trials first started, as no-one knew how to ride trials effectively, it was much more difficult for riders to learn moves and utilise them. For example the ability to hop the bike vertically upwards and sideways (sidehopping) was pretty much un-heard of. If it was used, it certainly wasn't as favoured as bunnyhopping or pedal-upping as most old footage shows. Common old school moves include a lot of spinning combinations/variations and moves done on the front wheel. The reverse side to this is modern day "new school" riding which uses near enough every move possible to navigate obstacles. As more and more riders learn techniques, they are able to teach newer generations, who in turn learn the moves quicker and have "more time" to learn new moves or improve current techniques. Also a lot of riders (especially competition riders) are learning moves with their bad-foot-forward which helps if they are on an obstacle, where another obstacle impedes the use of their preferred foot, to execute a move. As well as conventional new school, there is also another style known as TGS which is an acronym for Tap, Gap, Sidehop. This style is for riders who can execute a reduced number of moves, but can do them to a far greater height than most normal riders. TGS riders are street riders, as it is too difficult to achieve such moves on un-even natural terrain. They also appear quite fearless when it comes to usually frightening moves such as gaps of 8-9 feet as well as a drop of 6-7 feet. Other riders believe the TGS style to be "boring" and narrow minded, while others say that TGS is what trials riding is all about - overcoming obstacles without coming off the bike. Its worth mentioning too however that some riders are not as fond of other styles, other than their own, but still respect it and envy it when it is shown off to them.

Bikes

New school trials bike

Old school trials bike

With the new school riding style era, bike manufacturers naturally altered their designs of bike frames so that riders would gain the maximum amount of enjoyment from them. Whereas old school frames had long seat tubes, seats and steep head angles, new school frames had shorter seat tubes, meaning a rider could "tuck" themselves over the side of the bike when sidehopping, no seats as there was no real need for them and sligtly slacker head angles (as mentioned above for street riding). Heat treated aluminium has played a major part in modern day frame manufacture, and advances in CNC machines result in more exotic designs and (arguably) stronger frames. Steel frames are still in production but the number of companies is much smaller in comparison to aluminium manufacturers. Particularly, modern steel frames are produced with custom geometry to suit old school riders' tastes. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 516 pixelsFull resolution (881 × 568 pixel, file size: 185 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) typical new school trials bike I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 516 pixelsFull resolution (881 × 568 pixel, file size: 185 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) typical new school trials bike I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... A CNC Turning Center A CNC Milling Machine The abbreviation CNC stands for computer numerical control, and refers specifically to a computer controller that reads G-code instructions and drives the machine tool, a powered mechanical device typically used to fabricate metal components by the selective removal of metal. ...

External links

• BikeTrials.com — a trials resource with how-to's, competition coverage, and product reviews
• Bike-Trial.net — A trials community based in Norway
• trials-forum — a trials community based in the uk
• BikeTrials.ca — official website of BikeTrial in the Canada
• BikeTrial UK — official website of BikeTrial in the UK
• TrashZen.com — Illustrated tutorials to learn all the techniques of trials riding
• Observedtrials.net - informative US based trials forum, more for entertainment than education.
• Ryan Leech.com - Trials Guru, who oddly enough gained that reputation without actually competing.
• [http://www.biketrial.eu/ European Biketrial Videos