joker0720

Hey guys,
I'm super new, and looking to learn. Is there anyone around the Baltimore area that could give a new guy a helping hand, and show me the ropes?

Thanks!

maxpunx

Gilman organizes the Bmore area rides. Def join us when you can (with or without trials specific bike).

Things to practice to get you started on a non-trials bike:

• track stands
• Roll (ride over) big stuff as slow as you can
• track stands
• Ride narrow objects (curbs, 2x6, low cinder-block walls) as slow as you can
• track stands

Work on the balance...it's not glamorous, but it will pay off big time later.

__________________
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away."- Phillip K. Dick

joker0720

Thanks! My current bike is a front and rear shock bike. Is it worth training on this?

handiman

you can work on balance and trackstands. i've seen someone (mikeo) rear wheel hop and pedal kick on a heavy full suspension bike. it'll take a lot more energy to do than it's worth, but helped him once he got something closer to trials. so yea, anything with 2 wheels will help, but i'd suggest staying on 2 wheels at this point. if you can, tighten your shocks as still as they go to mimic a hardtail, and work on trackstands.

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maxpunx

Just work on the balance stuff. Any one-wheel action would be a loosing battle with the shocks. I've seen people do it, but not the best use of your time at this stage.

If you can lock out your shocks or increase the pressure so that they are stiffer that would be good.

__________________
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away."- Phillip K. Dick

joker0720

I'll tighten up my shocks ASAP I used to be an inline skater, so hopefully the balance bit will come back to me Been awhile (*cough* 12 years *cough*) since then, though.
I was doing some small hops and tried doing some wheelie stuff, but it's really hard with the shocks as is. I was also trying to ride as slow as possible. What kind of gear ratio should I be trying to ride in? 1:1 right? I'll need to figure out what gear I should be in... Guess I should go for the smallest in the front, to what ever gear that equates to in the back.
Oh, dont know if this matters, but I may also want to note that I'm turning 30 this year, so I'm an old beginner. How much do you think this will effect me?

rush

The only thing you need to do is go out and ride and have fun. Do jumps, skids, ride through drains and over logs and anything random you can ride over. Also, as said before, practise riding as slow as you can without putting a foot down, do tight turns around objects.

Dont worry too much about doing any hardcore training or anything. Just have fun and you'll be fine.

I'm 32 and have been riding for 10 years or so. I'm still improving in some areas but because of lack of time i'm slowly dropping back in balls and skill level.

Youll be fine.

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Rob Drizzle

I started on an XC bike... Just tighten up the fork and have fun

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-Rob

ateam

30 YO, ha ha.

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That looks like an extreme sport made in hell. - Onlooker

eaterofdog

Shit I wish I had started at 30...

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I'm a man of simple tastes.

joker0720

Thanks for all the help guys! I got home last night and practiced some balance again Just riding on a curb (about 5-6" wide) as slow as I can, and trying to not move at all... I sure do turn the front wheel a lot still I'm really excited to buy a bike and really get this hobby started. I've been mostly looking at bikes with no seat... But what are the PRO/CONs of a bike with and without seats? This bike looks nice, and the price seems right: http://www.observedtrials.net/vb/f7/rockman-switch-brand-new-41585/
but I was originally looking at bikes without a seat. I'd be scared to run this bike without the seat, as I can see that post being jammed in the wrong places.

eaterofdog

Generally, if it has a seat it's more of a street geometry.

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I'm a man of simple tastes.

ateam

This would be fun and an awesome build, more streety but trials is trials.

__________________
That looks like an extreme sport made in hell. - Onlooker

maxpunx

@joker0720

Don't rush into a bike if your not sure if it's going to suit you and the riding you want to do.

You should come out on a ride with us sometime and you can try out some bikes and get a better feel for the sport and bikes.

__________________
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away."- Phillip K. Dick

joker0720

I plan on it this weekend is bad but I'm good for next weekend

Linz42

The only thing you need to do is go out and ride and have fun. Do jumps, skids, ride through drains and over logs and anything random you can ride over. Also, as said before, practise riding as slow as you can without putting a foot down, do tight turns around objects.

Dont worry too much about doing any hardcore training or anything. Just have fun and you'll be fine.

I'm 32 and have been riding for 10 years or so. I'm still improving in some areas but because of lack of time i'm slowly dropping back in balls and skill level.

Youll be fine. - Rush

THIS

30 and 32? damn youngsters

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joker0720

Ugh... been frustrating trying to teach myself to ride 'trials style' on a full suspension MTN bike. Hopping and balancing seems... harder? Is right? I can imagine the jumping being harder because the suspension takes away from some of the upward momentum, but does it affect balance at all? I can't seem to ride very slow while trying to balance on a curb or likewise.

eaterofdog

It should be easier with the low bottom bracket. I can trackstand most bikes easier than my trials bike.

Try making small balance adjustments with your hips instead of lunging your whole body around. Takes a while to get it, then you never forget.

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I'm a man of simple tastes.

joker0720

Thanks man. I guess I'm just frustrated because the last time I got into a new sport/hobby like this, I picked it up right away and never felt like "I'm never going to get good at this." I really hope to meet up with some people in the area soon, I could use some more pointers and what not. In person training always works better for me.
Are there any training DVDs or likewise that anyone highly suggests?

eaterofdog

Art of Trials is a well known DVD to watch.

Wait till you get on a high BB trials bike. You'll be like WHAT THE FUCK?

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I'm a man of simple tastes.

bunta

Posting on a forum isn't going to help you

RIDE YOUR BICYCLE

maxpunx

+1

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"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away."- Phillip K. Dick

AndyT

I think postwhoring in off topic about cars and how much you hate other races is the way to get good at trials. Don't even need a bike these days.

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joker0720

Wow... why'd I get flamed all of a sudden? I don't think I posted about a car...
I've been riding daily after work. So, I don't know where the whole 'posting wont help' thing came from.
Just trying to get into it and learn as fast as possible.

joker0720

WTF you on here for then?