problems learning trials

[Big-D]

I don't know if this is overall terrible, but I seem to have a weird way or learning things when it comes to trials. I started about 5-6 months ago (most of which were un-ridable months due to Canadian winter). I learned pedal kicks the 1st time I tried them and I learned gaps the 1st time i have tried them on a fairly slippery section. I also am able to keep balance + pedal kick on the rear with my eyes closed, which some people on this forum were commenting was difficult for them.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not bragging, because my main problem is that I can barely trackstand, or do any sort of balance lines. It is kind of strange since I don't have much of a problem staying on the rear wheel/pedal kicking for as long as i want (or until my arms get tired), but on 2 wheels, I just cant seem to make it work. Trackstands don't seem to last very long unless I rest my leg on my frame (which I can't do now because my new bike as more stand-over height) and try as I might, any sort of balance lines such as riding along a curb is completely out of the question (I barely get get both wheels on before I have to pull off).

Does anyone else have this problem? A friend of mine that i ride with says that I am just a freak of nature (probably not in a good way since I cant do simple stuff).

Is there any advice anyone can give me to help me out with learning the basics?

thanks

[kpop]

i guess practice!

i wonder how many people will mention that!
subconscious balance is something that only comes with practice.

k

[mstrials]

im like that too cant go on rail track or anythin but when im on my banck im find n stuff ull just grow out of it take ur mind off of it just picture that if u could see into some famour trials riders brain what would he be thinking about? nothing it would suprise you alot.get you mind into that state as if u were just about to fall asleep.

You have 1 week to re-write this properly - rush

[ONE EYE]

^ Thanks Rush.

[Soapster887]

I have always had the same problem. I almost find it easier to balance on the back wheel then on two wheels. The trackstand is something that I have never set out to practice on purpose. I would do it at stop lights or before gaps. I found that if I actually tried to practice it then I would get frusterated and thats no good. I think that simply the more comfortable on the bike you are, the easier it is to find the balance point to make it work.

On a related note, the height of you bottom bracket also makes a large difference for trackstanding. My frame is +35bb, and my friends frame is +15bb, and though we do have slightly different stem set ups, his being higher, and mine lower, his is substanially easier to balance on two wheels. That being said, mine sits on the rear wheel nicer. Its all a trade off.

[greyghost]

gotta crawl before ya walk





























gotta crawl before ya walk

[jeffbmartinez]

I've found that leaning my weight back over the rear wheel helps a lot with balancing. Taking some weight off of the handlebars when trying to balance while going along a curb, etc. I'm guessing it has something to do with less weight on the bars means my arms are more relaxed which means I don't "twitch" the handle bars as much. Maybe that'll work for you too.

[Big-D]

Thanks for the responses guys

to soapster: That is probably a major part if it because my old bike had +0 bb and i had a lot more success doing trackstands, now on my new +30 bb, it is a lot more difficult.

I guess I just have to do some boring old-school practice

ty everyone

[greyghost]

I guess I just have to do some boring old-school practice


:ugh2: Or you could just hop around on your back wheel all day like a retard

[MIKE1968]

New bike frames and set ups really really really make hopping on the rear wheel easy as fuck...they are basically made to hop on the rear wheel in most cases. Old school bikes, and riders, had to start by riding their bike through stuff- then later get the rear wheel hop...I think I rode for 6 months every day for hours before ever even getting to hop on the rear wheel, and I didn't even really start doing many rear wheel moves till I was over 2-3 years into the game but I was the odd man out always prefering to wedge a gap over rear wheeling it.


To each their own, do what you want but you won't be a good trials rider if you can't ride a skinny log worth a shit.

[hopsalot]

If you want to get better fast, compete in trials. At a comp you will see from other riders what it takes to get threw sections. Before a comp when all the riders are warming up and everyone is showing off you'll see great riding but when it comes go time stupid mistakes on small things bring up scores. My advice, don't rear wheel hop again untill you can track stand with either foot forward.

[Big-D]

New bike frames and set ups really really really make hopping on the rear wheel easy as fuck

for sure, I started on a kona scab, then Megamo radical, now I am on a Vario styx and the difference between how easy it is to rear wheel stuff is amazing.

At first, I had no intention of doing competitions/tech, now I am realizing that being another freeride/bmx/trials douche sucks. Trying not to fall victim to the Leech setup like so many others.

[nikkocholo]

ei yo, if your prob is track stand, praktiz si the only key...but watching videos of other guys, or watching other riders do it helps...you'll see how it's done then visualize how to do it...

if your prob is coasting on the line, try this, look for a curb/gutter 5-10 inches high, 5 inches wide, make a minimal hop with two whees to get you in the position of aligning the two wheels above it...then do it again and again until you knock it...then if you're get use to it, after aligning your wheels try to pedal a bit...at first you'll fall but do it again and again til you feel the shit... hope i help

[decline]

gotta crawl before ya walk

thats very true and the only thing you can do. fuckin sweet you can do a gap! big deal tho if you cant stay on the bike before and after the gap. work on doing two wheel moves only. do wheel swaps onto a ledge rather then a pedal up. just do two wheel moves and you will get better. if you just know how to do rear wheel moves :barf:

[thefool808]

(most of which were un-ridable months due to Canadian winter)

This is when one practices track stands.

[justfuzzit]

Practice, find a slope to roll back and forth on. Thats how I was taught :) I just roll around my street and practice when I'm bored. Do you commute? Don't put a foot down at stoplights.

[caleb1978]

I don't know if this is overall terrible, but I seem to have a weird way or learning things when it comes to trials. I started about 5-6 months ago (most of which were un-ridable months due to Canadian winter).


I started just before winter, and all I could do all winter was trackstand-no room. What did you practice, and how-indoor riding area?

[Big-D]

I don't know if this is overall terrible, but I seem to have a weird way or learning things when it comes to trials. I started about 5-6 months ago (most of which were un-ridable months due to Canadian winter).


I started just before winter, and all I could do all winter was trackstand-no room. What did you practice, and how-indoor riding area?

I just quit riding when winter came and went back out when the snow melted.

[nikkocholo]

How's your trackstand development?

[Big-D]

How's your trackstand development?
Excellent. Looks like I just needed a little practice to refresh my memory. Balance lines are coming along as well. Its boring as hell, but I guess its worth it in the long run.

Thanks everyone

[nikkocholo]

nice nice..goodluck on your practice..