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Trials bikes
There is often confusion between Trials and Trails
bikes. This is probably fair enough given the similarity in the names and the
apparent similarity in the bikes used. Basically Trail
refers to either mountain
biking on off-road trails or
BMX Dirt jump riding
which is sometimes referred to as ‘riding trail’. To
further complicate matters there is also ‘time trial’.
These are ‘against the clock’ road-racing events on modified
road bikes.
The Trials we refer to here is ‘observed bicycle
trials’. Trials' riding is a skilful discipline where the rider slowly
negotiates man-made and natural obstacles using controlled braking, track stands
and balancing. If this isn't hard enough, in competition all this is done
against the clock with penalty points for riders who put their feet down.
All trials bikes have very powerful brakes, which are usually disc or hydraulic
rim type. The tyres have to be very grippy and are therefore made of very soft
compounds. The wheels and tyres are wider than normal which increases the
contact patch giving better balance. Gearing is low as the bikes are ridden
slowly but allow for quick acceleration in ‘pedal assisted’ hopping. Trials
bikes can be odd looking as the saddles are very low and small or not there at
all! The rider does not need them and of course it helps to reduce overall
weight.
Trials bikes are no longer standard mountain bikes, as over the years
they have evolved and become two types of trials-specific bikes: the 'Modified'
and the 'Stock' (now different classes in competition).
The Modified (Mod) bikes use a 20-inch wheel, which allows for a smaller,
lighter frame. The Mods typically have one gear and bash guards to protect the
frame when jumping or balancing. The term 'Mod' comes from the fact that the
original bikes were BMXs, heavily modified for trials.
Stock bikes
are more common, they have 26-inch wheels and originate from the mountain bike. Nowadays the name is often used to describe any trials bike that has 26-inch wheels.
Prices range from £300 - £1000, see for example the
Onza Rip
(20” Modified)
or the
Diamondback Kabuki Mono (26” wheel)
