Feels more like a pogo stick

[VanHellion]

I've just recently started trying to ride trials. I'm home for the holidays, leaving me high and dry (metaphorically) as far as riding material (I live in a rural woodsy area, really flat). So for now I've been working on balance. I can trackstand to a degree, can't quite lock up and keep balance, but it's decent.

My problem is in rocking. I'm riding a '06 Trek 4900 (my good bike) and a godknowswhen Pacific 7000? or something of that sort (the 3rd-gear-as-a-bashring bike) :greddy:. It feels like the shock is really screwing me over trying to rock off the rear wheel. I can sorta bounce the front around, but I go flying like a monkey on a parallelogram when I try to go front and back. Any suggestions?

Also, I played with the V's on the Pacific for about an hour, cleaned them with paper towels and whatnot, washed the pads, rims, etc. Repositioned them, tensioned, blah blah blah. Went back out, and they still suck to high hell. Is there a way to make V brakes lock decently?

I'm hoping that once I get into trials, I can justify it to myself to drop for a new frame, but until then I'm gonna beat the living shit out of the Pacific, which probably won't take long as it's already been beaten on by my XC/street riding for years.

[rush]

If you have shocks dont worry about rocking too much.

Also dont neccessarily loock the brakes to trackstand, try to do it with minimal use of your brakes, it leaves your hands and arms free for a bit more balance.

If you live in a rural/woodsy area, go and find small ditches, creeks, small logs, water, mud, grass, banks etc. Try and get through parts without dabbing, then try and better it. It is THE best way to practise balance and skills.

[VanHellion]

That sounds like a really good idea, now that you mention it. Unfortunately, my yard = two inches of slush. It's a battle of epic proportions to go 30 feet from the asphalt to my porch steps.

I suppose when I said it's flat, I lied a little. My yard is flat. If you've been to West Virginia (and not western Virginia, you Californians), you know that flat is a joke we tell to amuse ourselves. The nearest creek/ditch/mudpuddle is down a huge hill with a slope of \ give or take, which I would never get back up in the current conditions. In a week or two I'll be back to urban-ness of college, so I can find lots of obstacles to castrate myself side hopping around on.

[rush]

Deleted.


Seriously, thje two inches of slush is what im talking about. Try using your pedal strokes as normal to get through it to your porch steps, then try to do it smoother and without putting your feet down.

Thats what I used to do before I knew what trials was. I grew up on a farm. :dunno: