Beginners, Beware of Cheap Crap!

[David Weyman]

Trials is getting bigger than I ever imagined it. I started riding trials B4 lots of you could use a toilet by yourself and I've seen alot of bikes come onto the market.

If you are a beginner and are looking for a bike, beware of people trying to make a quick buck in the sport by selling you a piece of crap. They will tell you it's a good entry level bike, that can be upgraded later.(LIES) Oncee, Tank and other horrible bikes are being sold out there to unsuspecting newbies.

I talked to a guy(e mail) outa Austin, Texas who sells these kinda bikes and he's full of it. (If I catch him in Austin, I'm going to beat his ass, straight up!!) An Ebay hustler, nothing more. I asked him if he rode trials, he said yes, but ALWAYS alone(ie. he doesn't ride) or have a clue about trials.
These guys have NO idea what trials is about. He told me "You're gonna be seeing alot of these bikes at the Texas comps......WHAT COMPS. Texas has NO COMPS. But he didn't even know that. Who would be riding these bikes? I don't know anyone who would even straddle the frame.
Remember the Brady Bunch episode where Greg buys a crappy car and then regrets it? Caviat Emptor(sp) Let the buyer beware!

If you only have $300 for a trials bike, then buy a used one from this forum, I promise it will serve you much better than a NEW fake trials bike for the same $$.

[BLENDERE]

when i shearched for my new bike(my first ) (norco- evolve) , i did a lot of bike shop and i always asked to the dealer of the shop : DO you have bike trials ?
and he SAID YES , and just after he showed me a p3 by specialized and a than say thats not a trial bike and than he said you will have more fun with this . MY ASS
Fuck you so it was a real BIATCH !!

than 1 month later i learned that they has full of PLANET - X !!!!
whats that , a shop that dont know what they sell !!!!!!!
whatever , i have now a super good bike , MY NORCO - EVOLVE

[luznmemnd]

i think i saw a some fake trial bikes on ebay. these tanks. haha, selling a mod for 190. i could tell the guy was full of shit fbecause he's selling a tank, and even more full of it because of everything he said about it.

[David Weyman]

I love that one...."I gave the kid next door one of these Tank bikes and built hin a trials course. In a week he had mastered the bike......big drops....rear wheel......"

I was rollin' in the floor with laughter!

You know trials is getting popular when this is happening....

Buyer beware, you don't wanna feel like a fool when you find out later!

[Ryden]

I read reviews for the tank and it blew my mind. They are all like "The best bike ever, just replace the ffw, brakes and cranks". Followed by ever more people who say they broke nearly everything but still say its great. They must include a syringe of morphie with each bike to keep the people from getting mad when everything brakes the first day. Or mabe they slipped tranquilisers in the grips or something.

[DaneBrammage]

Thats a good post to have out there floating around David. And I actually remember that Brady Bunch episode too; in fact I saw it when it was brand new (i.e. not in reruns/syndication) so that must carbon date ourselves around the same age. By the way David, whats your 'best use by' date? :)

anyway thats a nice post. good advice.

[Bryan]

Yeah, Stephen Meader recommended those Tank bikes to everyone. They are pieces of shit. A 110 lb. friend of mine broke one right out of the box, under 1 hour, and he didn't even know how to pedal kick yet.

[AndyT]

general rule of thumb is not to touch anything remotely endoursed by stefahn mayder.

[tomacropod]

reminds me of the bit in Gone with the Wind when Scarlet opens a store, insists it have the word "emporium" in it somewhere, and Rhett suggests she call it the "Caveat Emptorium". She went through with it too ! Doughy bitch.

anyway yeah, cheap beginner's bikes can be a nightmare, you're better off buying a small cheap MTB, I think that riders who start on mtbs are better riders because of it ultimately. Maybe I'm just a retro-grouch.

- Joel

[Matt]

Great Post, David. This is something I hadn't thought about bringing to the attention of new riders, but we seem to say it all the time when they ask about what bikes to buy. We always warn about the compatibility issues they will see when they evolve (no pun intended) and want to upgrade their bikes; and thats if the parts even last long enough to make it to upgrade time.

*stuck*

Thanks :)

[austintrials]

I have fallen into the same trap by going thru a company in Co. Cant remember the name damn it but it was the X-stam and spun the freewheel out firt day and then purched the Bullseye cranks and then tore up the brakes and purchased the maggi breaks, then with 4 months cracked the frame and then to x-hydra. Im not saying that i am a great rider nor a shitty one. but if i would have gone to the xlite or some other trials bike then i would have not spent 100.00's of dollars trying to get the 650.00 bike to work or even last :(

Just thought to give my 2cents if that counts for anything

[bryco8]

so what companies are legit?

[AgrAde]

the ones that are talked up on the intrawebby

[Andreas]

koxx, monty, echo, coustellier, megamo, planet x, zoo, and de salvo just to name a few of the higher end brands.
mainly just don't get something like tank, or ross, or other brands that you haven't seen or heard to much of. also be ware of people saying crap like "my neighbor has this bike and he learned to drop off 10 foot high stuff within a week!". higher end bike sellers usually just mention frame geometry, condition, and what the frame is intended for.

[oicdn]

koxx, monty, echo, coustellier, megamo, planet x, zoo, and de salvo just to name a few of the higher end brands.
Those are the only brands I looked at when looking at a frame. Everything else, with the exception of the Ashton bikes, are poo......

[stocktrials]

anyway yeah, cheap beginner's bikes can be a nightmare, you're better off buying a small cheap MTB, I think that riders who start on mtbs are better riders because of it ultimately. Maybe I'm just a retro-grouch.
That makes two of us.

[trialman1]

What you sugest?
I wana buy a new Monty 219 X Alp from biketrials.com whit 399.99$.

[Andreas]

WEBCYCLERY.com can probably hook you up with an x alp for 350.00 Just shoot them an Email regarding shipping info! They're good guys and hopefully you can work something out!

[mikemad23]

i bought a tank, i knew it was crap and i didnt want a mod but it lasted me about a year so far, i bought new brakes and freewheel its not that bad, everything breaks but i want to change from mod to stck and i will just move everything over except wheels and it will be good, but yeah there crap after a week, except for the wheels, they take a beating. DONT BUY A STUPID BIKE LIKE TANK except if your me.

[Shorty2020]

tank sucks my piece of shit pisses me off daily. i cant believe i baught it (but at the time i had no job and only 85 bucks to spend so i baught it) i should have flushed that 85 away on a woman or on gas money. But now i have a job im back in the market for something new and shinier like say a zoo pittbull what a great dream it will be when i open my new bike.

[aki]

Never heard of Tank and thank god I've been coming here...it helps even with the legit companies what brand, model and equipment is suited for me...

[MontyBurns]

so what companies are legit?
The ones that can freely talk about the bike's parts (manufacturers), the bike's frame material and its geometry.

[mekanic305]

I got a tank too. I wouln't say I regret it but I know it's not a great bike. I have replaced fork, brakes, cranks, freewheel, BB, chain, and rear tire. But even after replacing these parts with some of the best I still haven't spent as much as I would have on a new "good bike" such as zoo, echo, koxx, etc. I guess what I'm saying is that it is a good beginners bike but the beginner needs to know that it's not going to last long and they better decide quick whether they want to continue in the sport and buy a new real bike or just toss the one they have. It's definately easier and nicer buying a new one but I can't spent $1000 all at once and a lot of others couldn't either, and I know there are other middle road bikes like monty, but you learn a lot about the sport and bikes the longer you ride and no a tank might not be a good bike and yes you may have to replace it but it gets people interested in the sport and that only helps all of us. I proly wouldn't be interested in trials if it wasn't for that bike. Just my 2 cents

[drtbiker620]

BEFORE I READ OR NEW ABOUT THIS FORUM I BAUGHT A TANK BIKE. ITS HEAVY BUT ITS A GREAT BIKE TO LEARN THE BASICS ON I REPLACES THE HEADSET AND BRAKES EVERYTHING ELSE IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR NOW IF ANYONE IS JUST GETTING INTO THE SPORT I WOULD RECOMEND WAITING A LITTLE LONGER AND GETTING A BIKE THAT IS A BIT MORE EXPENSIVE IT WILL BE WORTH IT BUT ALL IN ALL IM HAPPY I GOT IT FOR THE STUFF IM AM LEARNING HOW TO DO MAYBE I WILL GET A BETTER ONE THIS SUMMER...

[tipus]

BEFORE I READ OR NEW ABOUT THIS FORUM I BAUGHT A TANK BIKE. ITS HEAVY BUT ITS A GREAT BIKE TO LEARN THE BASICS ON I REPLACES THE HEADSET AND BRAKES EVERYTHING ELSE IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR NOW IF ANYONE IS JUST GETTING INTO THE SPORT I WOULD RECOMEND WAITING A LITTLE LONGER AND GETTING A BIKE THAT IS A BIT MORE EXPENSIVE IT WILL BE WORTH IT BUT ALL IN ALL IM HAPPY I GOT IT FOR THE STUFF IM AM LEARNING HOW TO DO MAYBE I WILL GET A BETTER ONE THIS SUMMER...
Press "CAPS LOCK" !

[NyGe]

What do you think about the Evil imperial ? im looking for a trials/street type ride.
I also have been looking @ the 24 Le Toy IV. Whats the hype w/vertical drop-outs ???

[Sneaker]

HAHAh. this reminds me about a silly situation. there was a old mature bitch who was looking for trial bike for her son, i guess. And the guy in the shop tried to sell her not a trial bike but a heavy shity xc bike saying that its more like trial bike.

[mekanic305]

Yea, the Evil imperial is a bad ass frame but not for trials, it weights like 6.5 lbs or so and has the huge 1.5" steer tube so you have to get a rediculous fork or have a ghetto conversion. Stick to trials frames for trials, IMO.

[rob the best]

Trials is getting bigger than I ever imagined it. I started riding trials B4 lots of you could use a toilet by yourself and I've seen alot of bikes come onto the market.

If you are a beginner and are looking for a bike, beware of people trying to make a quick buck in the sport by selling you a piece of crap. They will tell you it's a good entry level bike, that can be upgraded later.(LIES) Oncee, Tank and other horrible bikes are being sold out there to unsuspecting newbies.

I talked to a guy(e mail) outa Austin, Texas who sells these kinda bikes and he's full of it. (If I catch him in Austin, I'm going to beat his ass, straight up!!) An Ebay hustler, nothing more. I asked him if he rode trials, he said yes, but ALWAYS alone(ie. he doesn't ride) or have a clue about trials.
These guys have NO idea what trials is about. He told me "You're gonna be seeing alot of these bikes at the Texas comps......WHAT COMPS. Texas has NO COMPS. But he didn't even know that. Who would be riding these bikes? I don't know anyone who would even straddle the frame.
Remember the Brady Bunch episode where Greg buys a crappy car and then regrets it? Caviat Emptor(sp) Let the buyer beware!

If you only have $300 for a trials bike, then buy a used one from this forum, I promise it will serve you much better than a NEW fake trials bike for the same $$.thnx for the info m8 i needed 2 kno tht

[Mogie]

I recently purchased a tank for my outdoor recreation program, because of it's low cost. I knew it was a piece, but I also know that beginners are not going to beat the shit out of it. It's the intermediate phase rider who's confidence is high, but skills are still lacking that will not want to ride this bike, because they will break it. But that can be said for almost any brand. I broke two Monty's and all kinds of parts. Not because they are shitty bikes and parts, but because I was doing things bigger than I should have been doing at my skill level. If you are a beginner and or smooth rider it will last. I have upgraded nothing on this bike and am not afraid to drop over 5ft with it. And since it is a beginner bike, and anyone who buys one should know that, it shouldn't be taking huge 10' drops. Don't do a 10' drop unless your getting paid to do it!!! No need to bash the Tank. No matter what brand you buy you will always end up upgrading the frame and parts. It's a material world, and there is always something new and better we think we need. My advice is to get whatever bike you can afford, but it all comes down to your skills in the end!

[mpb]

My first bike was a tank, rode 2 blocks to a parking lot, pushed hard on the crank on flat ground, the free-wheel blew up. I then had to wait 3 weeks to get the part warrentied.

[hydroboy]

not afraid to drop over 5ft with it.
video or lie.

[Zohyil]

i bought a tank. it is a complete piece of shit. the first day i rode it both brakes broke. then the tire tread wore down completely in like a month. and everything loosened up constantly. and the crank and ffw turned to shit in like a few weeks. let me say, NOT SAFE!!!


do not buy these bikes.
ever.

[Manning]

you sir, are absolutely correct. in other words,
you are saying riders and out-performe their e-
quipment, which is why the have high end stuff.
ride that and then you can go big.

I recently purchased a tank for my outdoor recreation program, because of it's low cost. I knew it was a piece, but I also know that beginners are not going to beat the shit out of it. It's the intermediate phase rider who's confidence is high, but skills are still lacking that will not want to ride this bike, because they will break it. But that can be said for almost any brand. I broke two Monty's and all kinds of parts. Not because they are shitty bikes and parts, but because I was doing things bigger than I should have been doing at my skill level. If you are a beginner and or smooth rider it will last. I have upgraded nothing on this bike and am not afraid to drop over 5ft with it. And since it is a beginner bike, and anyone who buys one should know that, it shouldn't be taking huge 10' drops. Don't do a 10' drop unless your getting paid to do it!!! No need to bash the Tank. No matter what brand you buy you will always end up upgrading the frame and parts. It's a material world, and there is always something new and better we think we need. My advice is to get whatever bike you can afford, but it all comes down to your skills in the end!

[jamesb]

I started with an XC bike for 500$. Then snapped a few forks, then the frame, then another xc frame, then got an evolve frame/fork, then I upgraded nearly every part on it because they (the xc parts) broke. Then I got a Pitbull frame, on this bike I upgraded to quality trials specific parts because my skill improved. Then It snapped so i have an Adamant now.

I could have saved loads if I went with a quality bike first off. In total I payed for over 2 high-end bikes! All this in 3 1/2 years!

To beginners, DON'T GO CHEAP...if at all possible.

[trialsrider50]

for anybody who stays in the sport. invest early. the problem is that's usually the question a beginner has. normally though, say if someone wanted to try mod. he/she could buy something like and echo team, a python, or even an onza t-pro/t-mag. and if they didn't like trials, they could usually turn around and sell it for a little loss on a forum such as this. take it from somebody who didn't and wishes he would've. invest in this sport earlier, it'll make you more confident, a better rider, and save you money. cheap bikes ride like cheap bikes and are harder to learn on. especially in trials.

[lowside]

I can honestly say that I learned more in my first week on my Level Boss than the first month on my Ghost. Having the right tools for the job makes it much easier to do.

[bouncingbabyboy]

So by Tank you all mean Veritas. The company that went out of business recently.

It is funny that this string starts by talking about a shop in Austin and the lack of trials in Austin. Have any of you ridden Barton Creek or Ema Long. Both are awsome. Nothing like it in California. The first place I ever saw a Gass Gas was Ema Long motorcycle park in Austin so they have moto trials that I can attest.

It is also funny that for the number of you who say Veritas is the worst there seem to be a lot of you who own one. I got interested in trials in 1992. I started on a Schwine high sierra and a Schwine BMX bike in Tulsa. I traded up to a Giant AC2 in Tahoe a few years back and finaly got a Veritas this year. It is vastly different from my other bikes. The gear ratio and the geometry are vastly different from playing on a mountain bike. I have been riding with a friend who has a Monty that weighs about what my rear wheel does. That is about as different from my Veratis as it is from my mountain bike.

To anyone considering a Veritas (tank). It is not a Mod. The rear wheel is a 20" and all the true mods run a 19. If you are thinking of buying it so you can swap parts to another bike don't. Start with the bike you want. The bike is heavy from the wheels to the stem. I will probably keep mine for a while for my wife to play on. She just wants to track stand and may learn to back hop at some point. If she some how out grows it I will trade up. For myself I am building a Zebdi and this is just bike number five to play on until it is complete.

In conclusion... I agree, your money would be better spent on a good used Monty.

[stickyworm]

To clear up the tank veritas thing, yes they were the same company. Tank was a mail order frame manufacturer that sucked, I almost bought one 4 years ago. The old tank was fased out and a new line was released called veritas. Staphen Maeder distributed them and they were supposed to come with a 19" rear wheel. By the way, until recently mods were made with 20" wheels on the rear. The veritas was supposed to be a better build than the tank, they both suck for anybody older than 12 years old. As has been repeated so often on this forum, many parts are inferior on these bikes. What trials needs is an inexpensive bike built for beginners to find its way into canadian tire. Not veritas crap, but monty x-alp or something with a solid but affordable build. Consider the money spent up front for a quality bike an investment in your future riding.

[trials4ever]

Im just starting trials bike riding i have order my new bike and I would like to know if a "Da Bomb Pro Magura" is any good.Because i have just purchased one brand new for £550 ..........Do you think i have made a good choice? :dunno:

[boogeyman]

Greetings and thanks for the forum...

I primarily mtb but would like to build up a trials bike to practice some trials skills. Would you say a Zebdi is a decent quality frame to start out with? Thanks

[eturt9]

if you like riding street with manuals and bunny hops and stuff. Yes. If your riding straight trials, not great. this would probably be the place to start a new thread about it.

[jzwelch]

hi i have decided to take up trials ridding but i don't know where to start, can anybody help me with finding a bike and telling wat i need

[trialsgurl]

koxx, monty, echo, coustellier, megamo, planet x, zoo, and de salvo just to name a few of the higher end brands.
mainly just don't get something like tank, or ross, or other brands that you haven't seen or heard to much of. also be ware of people saying crap like "my neighbor has this bike and he learned to drop off 10 foot high stuff within a week!". higher end bike sellers usually just mention frame geometry, condition, and what the frame is intended for.

I have a ross and it has been very reliable. I'm not gonna lie and say it's the best trials bike ever because it's not. The only reason I bought it was because it was $200 on ebay and I had to pay for it myself. For that price it has been a good bike.