Want to buy Trails Bike Newbie

[moto44]

I have been watching a couple of guys practice there Trials riding at a park I normally Mountain Bike at and got bite by the bug. The problem is were do I begin? I am a 40 year old rider that has a back ground in Motocross & Mountain Biking and am looking to improve my riding skills and Trials riding looks like a great way to do that. My first question is should I be looking at a Dirt Jump bike like a Speclized P3 bike or should I just be looking for a Trials only bike? And are there any dealers in the New Jersey area.

Thanks

[Papa]

Since I went through this not so long ago, I'll offer these highlights:

- No on the dirt jumpers. If trials is your thing, then a trials bike is the ticket.
- Trials bikes aren't good for much else besides trials (it's quite a work out keeping up with my 8 year old on a BMX when all I've got is a "granny gear").
- A pure trials bike is much easier to do trials with (go figure) and gave me more confidence... the top tube is too low to whack the family jewels on.
- Trials dealers are about as easy to find as a good Yugo. Online is a great resource from my experience.

Good luck and have fun!

[caleb1978]

I found that this question has been asked a lot. If you use the search tools you will find your answers. Welcome to a new addiction.:)

[justfuzzit]

Unfortunately, being able to ride a bike before buying it may not be able to happen. Check the for sale section. You might be able to find something suitable that isn't thrashed.

[stewpend0us]

You can start on the basics on your mountain bike. Learn to track stand, hop in place and pivot....if you find your self going out every day and enjoying learning that simple stuff buy a trials bike...it will make all of those things and progressing to bigger stuff easier (after the initial awkwardness period). I made the mistake of trying to push my mountain bike too far and ended up trashing the derailleur and other things. So if you’re enjoying it buy a bike but there are still things to learn on your mountain bike if you’re just getting started.

[andoman]

My addiction started a couple years ago. I picked up a P1 and learned most of the basics on it. Mostly so I could also ride with the kids and ride the trails while I figured out if trials was for me. Last year I got a Haro that I was learning on and again it was so I could do the trails and ride with the GF and tool around town looking for stuff to play on. Both those first bikes gave me a good idea of what wheel base I might want and what I wanted out of the bike itself. This year I picked up my first pure trials bike from one of the guys on here and it was like night and day from the other two as far as what I could do and couldnt do on them. Its the toughest thing I have ever tried to learn how to do but I'm hooked. All I think about when I am done with a ride and glueing cuts shut or iceing knees is "when can I ride again". Get a bike and some leg guards and give it a go. This site has been a wealth of info and the guys I have met or talked to have been great. Good luck!!!

[nikkocholo]

If you are really decided, have a trials bike..It will not just improve your riding but also your self discipline. Just a heads up, if you ever ridden a trials bike, it will not be the same as a motox and MtB...It has a different feel...If you enjoy the first year of torture doing some basic moves i.e. trackstand, hopping on two weels, pivot, and the like, you be going a long way..welcome to the world of trials...hop yoourself in :)