Any tips for a beginner

[MontyTrialer]

Hey
Does anyone have any major tips on how to get started on trials?
Im riding not to long in South Carolina with my univega bike. I was wondering if the monty 221 PR is a good beginners bike, or an overall good bike. My cousin just bought it and I might as well. I am riding for about a week (i know I'm thinking to far with a new bike) but I need a second so I can ride in Germany. I'm from Germany and now I'm on vacation back in my home country. I'm dieing to ride again. So any help on the bike and on riding would help me alot. I used to skate but I can't do precision hops on the back wheel at all. The only thing I can a little is trackstand. I kind of feel like the only rider in the US and my state.
thanks I Wouk appreciate the help

[Blitzmo]

The main thing is to keep practicing and stick with it. I'm still a beginner and I got to admit that it's not easy but eventually you'll get motivated when you see results and improvement. Another important thing that has already been stated in some other threads is to think that it's not only about going higher or further, it's about having fun.

[jak442]

I'd say that whatever you can afford is a good beginners bike. If you have the money for a new, or good condition used, trials specific bike, then that's the way to go.

I wouldn't even think about trying to learn on anything other than a real trials bike.... and having a nice bike helps a lot for motivation.

I got lucky and found a very nice used bike for a decent price, localy, after a few weeks of looking around.

You might try lookin around while you're in europe, there are a lot more riders over there and you should have better luck finding something used.

[HipHopapotomus]

my best tip for a beginner who is usually riding alone is to find a mix of things you can do and enjoy, and things that you need to work on.

as a fellow newb, the past month i've found myself riding alone a couple times a week. i spend some time doing something that i can do, that i find fun, even if it's just side hopping on and off a curb, something to get me excited about being able to accomplish. then i spend some time doing boring base skills like track standing or pedal kicks or correction hops... things that are essential to trials but are boring to learn. when i start to get tired of doing those i go back to doing something fun, even if it's the only "trick" i can do.

this back and forth flow of practice keeps me out for hours, hope that helps!

[nikkocholo]

watch videos of other riders, ride with somebody, ride and practice

[MontyTrialer]

yeah I got a DVD from my cousin called trial lessor and his sponsor ( he rides trial and dirt bike) can get me a new bike for less money, but first I need to work some to get it. After that I need to get it to myrtle beach. Three more weeks and I go back to the US. Maybe next year when I go back I can get it.
now time has to go by before I can practice.
thanks

[Bryan]

Maybe you should get a bike in the US. It would be a lot cheaper.

Also, I know for a fact that there are people with whom you could ride who live close to Myrtle Beach. Post in the Southeast forum.

[MontyTrialer]

Maybe you should get a bike in the US. It would be a lot cheaper.

Also, I know for a fact that there are people with whom you could ride who live close to Myrtle Beach. Post in the Southeast forum.

thanks I will

[PsyKotyk]

It's a long hard road, and you reap what you sew. Put in the hours and you'll find improvement happens quickly.

You will get frustrated at times, feel like you aren't progressing. You need to step back, reevaluate and then move forward again.

Probably wouldn't hurt to have some videos taken too so you can check out your form.

That's my $0.02.

[jak442]

Probably wouldn't hurt to have some videos taken too so you can check out your form.

For sure.... I've set up the cam a few times, just to make sure that I was making the bike do what I thought I was and check the form. And it's helped quite a bit.

[MontyTrialer]

yeah
I did the same when I was parcticing trackstand and precision hops on the back wheel. It helped me see that my form on precision hops was wrong and thats why I was struggling.

[va_tick]

221 Pr is a nice beginners bike.

If you really want to ride trials well, its been said, this discipline of riding takes great dedication to get through the frustrating learning stages.

If you going to do it, I would suggest starting with the basics first, track standing and balance, balance, balance , and oh, did I mention to work on your balance.....you can do this by finding lots of skinnys and technical things to ride over and over.

I highly recomend getting the above ^^ down before even considering to start moving on to the "cool- fun" rear wheel stuff.

Once you've got the basics and want to start moving onto the "big" moves and "up's" I would watch video of your favorite elite rider and then record yourself doing the same moves...........watch video and find the flaws in your technique compared to the elite rider...........then go out and practice and film until the technique is correct, then go big ;).

The latter advice is very key as I was given it recently by James B and since I started recording myself I've noticed that I've carried alot of bad habits up to my current level of riding and now its a slow road to correct these bad habits..............

So get it right in the begining and it will help loads later!!! Have fun and hopefully you stick with trials through the ruff times b/c the pay off when you finally "get it" is one of the greatest feelings in the world

RT

[MontyTrialer]

hey thats a sweet advice
I will do all of it once I'm back in the US.
thanks