[maciekzw]

Hey guys, I'm new here as well. How are ya all doing?

I've been riding mountain bikes for years (I'm 24 now) but just recently (about 2 years ago, on & off) I got into trials. I can't do that much yet. I just started working on my pedal hop. I can do maybe 3 in a row max, maybe 2-3 feet apart from each other. I don't have a trials bike. I have a Kona Scab with the smallest frame I could possible get. I find that my brakes aren't that great either so I may have to upgrade them to something better.

But anyway, to make a long story short, what I would like to know is how long it took you guys to get to the level where you can let's say get up on something that's about 4-5 feet high. I can do side hops (broncos?) on to things that are about 2 feet high. When I do pedal hops, I'm getting better at the distance, but I don't have the hight. My balance is pretty good. I can get up stairs no problem etc. But I just want to know what's the best way to practice the back wheel hops. Would you recommend me getting a trials bike? Would that help me a lot or should I practice on my Kona till I get half decent.

PS. I can drop 6-7 feet on my bike no problem (sideways - not sure what that's called) but I can't do the same using the back wheel technique.

Any tips/hints would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

:bigthumb:

 

[bigd]

well everyone is gonna say that if you want to really get into it definitely get a trials specific bike. thats a given. it will make everything feel loads better, especially on the rear wheel.

4-5 feet is pretty high, and the length of time it takes someone to get there is completely relative. someone riding every day for a year can go from beginner to high expert, but someone riding for 6 years only here and there might still be an entry level sport rider. it all depends on how much you ride and if you have no-one to ride with, study the shit out of videos. riding natural terrain and off camber irregular stuff accelerates your skill quickly versus only urban square edges and the like. it forces you to correct for slight mis-balances and teaches you to really know where your wheels are going.

 

[ascentrek]

Where do you live? If I were you, hook up with some other riders and watch videos. I've got the luxury of having great trials riders give me lessons, but I still study body movement on videos and ask questions on this board.

 

[oicdn]

Study vids alot...that's how I got half decent at skimboarding....well, I'm not great, but I can wrap. I'm the only person in my area that skims, everybody surfs, so I learned from vids and from Skimonline.....

Learning skills aside, generally speaking...consistent practice is what accelerates your learning...but LOL, that's a given...

 

[maciekzw]

Hey, thanks for all the advice.

I went riding on Sunday, and I practiced quite a bit. It's so hard to keep the balance on the back wheel. I used to be able to do it no problem, but ever since I switched from clipless to flats, it's a lot harder. But anyway, I was able to clear one gap about 2.5 feet long. I managed to clear it, but I couldn't stay on my back wheel. But I guess that's a start.

It still amazes me what these guys can do, the hights they can jump...

What's the best way to practice the hight?

Thanks guys. :bigthumb:

 

[oicdn]

Squats....and practice....

Wasn't there a vid with TRA, he was doing jumping squats...I wonder if that REALLY helps. I know it does, but how much, LOL.

Not to sound racist, but white guys can't jump. But you see these guys doing CRAZY ups, technique/practice probably has ALOT to do with it.....

 

[AndyT]

Your stupidity rivals that of a mentally retarded rat oicdn.




For the guy asking the question, stop it. Those heights won't be yours for years, especially without daily practice. You shouldn't even be asking this question, height is worthless.

 

[maciekzw]

For the guy asking the question, stop it. Those heights won't be yours for years, especially without daily practice. You shouldn't even be asking this question, height is worthless.

Well then, thanks for your great opinion there bud. I'll make sure not to ask you anymore...

 

[ascentrek]

I can't do that much yet. I just started working on my pedal hop.

me too.

I can do side hops (broncos?) on to things that are about 2 feet high.

Bronco? I thought Bronco's were for a) escaping the police, or b) a pathetic football team in Denver, or c) glorified donkeys

 

[oicdn]

Your stupidity rivals that of a mentally retarded rat oicdn.




For the guy asking the question, stop it. Those heights won't be yours for years, especially without daily practice. You shouldn't even be asking this question, height is worthless.

And your immature a$$-hole antics rival that of a 5-year old with a halfway decent vocabulary...you gonna get all pissy and lock this thread too? I think somebody has let thier "trialsin skills" get the best of him. Just because people can't ride a bike as good as you doesn't mean you need to be an asshole cause you've been riding for years....come to the beach or the race track and I can school you too, but I'm not a prick that is all big headed on a message board cause he can ride a bike better than most......

Grow the fuck up.

 

[OTAdmin]

Well, andrew isn't a moderator, so he can't lock topics. The only reason I would lock a topic is if it's discussion has become way off-topic, or if there was some lame insult match... such as now.

If you guys want to fight, please take it to PMs and leave your comments off the board. It would definitely help keep this place a lot more friendly.

Call me a douche, or dorky, I don't care, I just don't want everyone around here hating each other.

Bill