Begginer Q - Why no shocks?

[StraightMobbinAK]

I've never read anywhere or been told why trials bikes don't incorporate front shocks. Does it take away some of the energy transfer in moves? Seems like your wrists would take quite the beating from any move that landed on the front wheel at all, even with low tire pressure....Thanks for answering my dumb question of the day! By the way...I don't have my trials bike yet which is why I'm wondering.

[Yurich]

they're sloppy, they absorb your energy, and they're too long. also, under trials forces, they die quick

[Matt]

Yurich nailed it, but as for the wrists thing... you shouldn't have any problems or feel any pain from not running a shock. You may suffer tendonitis at first, but running a shock would just mean lifting up a heavier front end and hence - worse tendonitis :). Before I got my first trials bike I always thought I would want a front shock too, but after two days on a full rigid stock bike I couldn't believe I ever considered it.

Matt

[Bryan]

Try to forward hop on a bike with shocks after trying it on a bike with a rigid fork. That solved it for me.

[RT Wolf]

I think it's still a matter of personal preference. These guys have nailed it for why you should go with rigid over shocks. Some riders do ride front suspection, but very little of it. Ryan Leech is a great example. It all depends on your riding style. If you ride all-out natural, you're gonna want rigid. If you ride more streety, you might want to consider a small amount of suspension. As you don't have a trials bike, I think you might be wondering about how it'll kill your wrists when you drop. One of the first things you should learn is how to drop properly, ie, mostly with your rear wheel and then let your front wheel down gently. In the end, if you can try out both, you can pick which feels better, but spend a bit of time on the bike. Most trials riders go with rigid, and a lot of streety trialsers also go with rigid, so that may be something you want to consider as well. At any rate, rigids are generally cheaper. :p

For your first bike, most people would suggest going with a rigid fork. you can get a suspension later if you're into that.

[StraightMobbinAK]

siiiiiiiiick, thanks for all the info. i'm definitely going rigid, just didn't know why there weren't many using shocks. by the way, i'm working on getting an old monty x-lite (i think it's like 3 years old maybe?) and it's got virtually no damage. i'm prolly gonna end up paying 675 US dolares. is that worth it? here's a link to the for-sale page http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/buy...iew&image=50920

any thoughts? sweeeeeet, muchas gracias

-D-

[B1105]

Thats a bit much for a three year old bike. Sorry to spam in this forum, but I've got an Echo Team Long I'm looking to sell. Its basically 4-5 months old(bought new from Trialsin USA in August), pretty much stock but a White Indutries freewheel and special Plazmatic pads. PM if your interested and I can send you pics. (BTW - mike clark(redworm on here) and Blane Hook(Bike Pro Mobile) have seen this bike when I went to the springs over the summer (I saw you go to Colorado College)

[Elan]

yea, dont spend $600 on a three year old monty. you would be much better saving a little more and getting a decent bike. especially if you are over 5'8.

[StraightMobbinAK]

really? huh, i didn't know the year mattered that much...well, I'm about 5'9", 160 pounds and I've been slowly learning trials type moves for about a year on a 20in mountain bike that's not too comfy to do such things on. You think I should buy new Elan? Or just go for a higher class used? Any and all suggestions are much appreciated! The thing is, I don't know if i can spend much more than 700 on a bike right now or in the future...I need to get my lazy ass a job.

Does that echo long sound like a good stock to start on?

[Elan]

yo ucan get a really decent used mod for around $700. echo teams and koxx levelbosses are going to be your best bet. check out b1105's echo, if i remember correctly its a pretty mint ride still.

[StraightMobbinAK]

yo ucan get a really decent used mod for around $700. echo teams and koxx levelbosses are going to be your best bet. check out b1105's echo, if i remember correctly its a pretty mint ride still.


Yeah, his bike looks purty nasty, but I'm actually lookin for a stock, which is why I thought the monty at Pinkbikes.com was a good deal. It's the cheapest stock i've seen yet that is practically unused. Is the componentry and framing from a few years back that much worse than today's? Any suggestions on picking up another stock? Thanks man!

[Elan]

a monty stock? horrible option if yo uask me. i have heard only poo talk about monty stock bikes. still ,a decent stock could be had for $700 i would think. look around the used section to get an idea before you go and blow a wad on a pile of crap liek a monty.

[StraightMobbinAK]

a monty stock? horrible option if yo uask me. i have heard only poo talk about monty stock bikes. still ,a decent stock could be had for $700 i would think. look around the used section to get an idea before you go and blow a wad on a pile of crap liek a monty.
heh, thanks Elan. are woodman's pretty solid? some guy i think is selling an old woodman (pro?) for like 850. what other models should i be looking for? what about the monty exactly licks the pooser? Thanks again dood