How much is the bike?

[PsyKotyk]

I've been riding trials for almost 2 years now (still a novice), and feel that my bike is now holding me back. I'm riding a 15" Specialized Hard Rock with heavy downhill wheels (3" wide, double wall rims, thick tubes), and hyd. disc brakes front and rear, and front shocks with 5+ inches of travel. The bike was build from leftovers from my FS downhill rig when the frame cracked. I think it's better suited for durt jumping, but it's all I have at the moment.

Anyways, I've always been of the belief that the bike doesn't make the rider... but lately I'm starting to wonder. To even attempt rear wheel hopping, I feel I need to get the bike nearly vertical, and it's a huge effort to hop. After about 8-10 hops I'm spent. I'm guessing it weighs in at the 50-75lbs range.

What's a proper weight for a trials bike? Do you guys feel the bike is a big factor, or am I just sucking?

[aki]

I'm assuming you don't have other trials riders around you? It can weigh anywhere from 20~26 lbs. No more though. The geometry, the weight, setup...your bike is just not suited for trials after you learn the basics :)

[eturt9]

It definately doesn't weigh 75lbs. More like 30, maybe 35 lbs.

Most trials bikes are about 25lbs, Some lighter.

Chainstay length is much longer on your bike, trials bikes have very short chainstays to be easier on the rear wheel.

[dengenerate]

just sucking. trials bikes are super heavy (right in your range) to take a beating. and the suspension should help with moves if you set your rebound really fast for added spring.

[psyber_0ptix]

just sucking. trials bikes are super heavy (right in your range) to take a beating. and the suspension should help with moves if you set your rebound really fast for added spring.dont forget clipless pedals for pedalups/sidehops/surges.


fixed



but on a more serious note. i rode a friends haro jump bike, and it was VERY difficult to get on the rear wheel. The cockpit seemed more cramped and the fork made the front ungodly heavy.
if i were to change anythign on his bike, i'td probably be wider handlebars, longer stem and a rigid fork. (Have to be 425mm as i cant imagine the bb drop from switching to a shroter 400mm rigid)

Is this your ONLY bike? or can you make sacrafices. Keep it singlespeed, more gears (for me anyways) had moments where it skipped in VERY bad places. lack of engagement points also made learnining severely difficult for me. (16 wasnt cutting it). It wasnt until i had built a single speed wheel and used a 36e.p. ACS claw [now using an ENO] that my 'understanding' unfolded toward different moves.

if you are really interested in the sport, i'd suggest picking up a more trials oriented (but not dedicated) frame and rigid fork. There are several frames for sale by our own forum members. pick up an alibongo or tibo frame, they are all probably easier to learn on (in my opinion). Unless you want to cash that chip in for a trials dedicated bike. Also the suspension (anything over 80 in my opinion) just sucks up too much input.


I'm getting my Norco rewelded (good thing about steel frames) and it was a great transition frame between normal/urban/street riding into trials. it also weighs less than my adamant A1 with the same components O_o

25lbs or less is probably target for weight to make things easier.

also a HUGE way to learn is just riding WITH people. you can watch videos all day long, but it was easier for me to learn to bunnyhop and backhop just watching others in real life. You can observe much better in person than by some obscure camera angle.

I had to conquer my fear of leaning back. Once i got out of the habit of thinking i'd destroy myself falling backwords; i realized it hurts a lot less falling back when moving slow or not at all, than as if i were cross country riding at speed.

...but what do i know, i'm still a n00b to the sport. Its been exactly one year next week that i first started practicing my trackstand for trials.


Thats just my .02

[Air_Force_Trials]

You know, i have a similar problem. I ride a Giant STP3 and its probably a little lighter than your bike but its still hard to do a lot of things. I have been on other trials bikes and one thing is definitely it is a lot easier to go to and stay on the rear wheel with a real trials frame. I also believe that my skill level is not improving because of this and that's why I am building a trials specific frame plus I keep braking things on my old rig. On my bike I can get onto the rear wheel and pedal kick or do drop offs but its really taxing and it tires me out quickly. I still can't turn on the back wheel because I don't practice it because its so hard to stay on the back tire or any other move where you start off on the back tire.

[afrobot]

In fewer words. find something like a PX zebdi or jack flash unless you plan on taking the sport seriously.Then get a seatless frame. Next item. Good pads, use the search function. Then a King hub or White industries f/w . Wide bars. Then better tires. Somewhere along the line get a rigid fork.

[psyber_0ptix]

In fewer words. find something like a PX zebdi or jack flash unless you plan on taking the sport seriously.Then get a seatless frame. Next item. Good pads, use the search function. Then a King hub or White industries f/w . Wide bars. Then better tires. Somewhere along the line get a rigid fork.

i didnt like the 2005 jackflash for trials at all. it was much more deserving as a dirt jump or urban bike.

the 03 was wonderful though.

a rigid, fork will make basics like rocking about 456.38523 times easier and maybe even learn balance while trackstanding (since no crazy rake on the geometry)