What's Bike Trials?

Bike trials is a worldwide sport developed from motorcycle trials.  The sport emphasizes the rider's ability to maneuver the bicycle through obstacles using precise balance, power and trials-specific techniques.

Though the bike looks similar to that of a mountain bike, different geometry sets trials bicycles apart allowing a rider to utitlize various techniques.  Higher bottom bracket clearance and shorter chainstay are some of the distinct designs.  You'll also right away notice many trials bike do not have a seat.  Since balancing is done often in a standing position the seat becomes an unnecessary component.

Much like it would be difficult to perform trials-specific techniques on a mountain bike, trials bikes are not designed to be ridden for downhill or riding cross country.  The same can be said for the 20" mod bikes as the geometry and the design differs from a 20" BMX bike.

There are three types of trials bike explained here.  20" also known as the 'mod' short for modified trials bike.  The 24" is a popular street oriented trials bike designed to perform both BMX and trials techniques.  The 26" or the 'stock' bike have the same wheel diameter of a mountain bike with different geometry explained earlier.


(Photo/Rider: Matt Gilman from www.blindbiketrials.com)

Competitions
There are competitions worldwide where rider's skills are put to the test.  Currently the competitions are based on BIU and UCI rules.

With either rules, the rider must stay on the bike while navigating through the designated course to avoid penalty points.  There are number of sections designed using various obstacles including natural terrains and man-made objects.  Skill levels start from beginner, intermediate/sport, expert and pro/elite.  A beginner level rider can expect obstacles no higher than a foot with laid back section.  The pro/elite class can vary depending on the competition but are difficult enough even navigating the section by foot can be challenging.  

BIU vs. UCI Rules
With the BIU rule, pedals and bashring/bashguards are allowed to touch (or rested) the obstacle.  It is one of the oldest rules and popular method used in Spain as well as Japan that's still used to this day.  The newest rule, UCI, is where no part of the bike except the tires can touch the object.  Penalty points are given if a rider's foot touches the ground/object as well as any part of the bike that hits/rests on an obstacle. 

For either rule, automatic five points may be given to any riders going off course (usually falls) or goes beyond the time limit disqualifying them for that section.

Learning Trials
Bicycle trials really isn't about performing stunts or doing tricks.  When a rider becomes experienced he/she will find that trials techniques allow the rider to use the bike as a tool efficiently in order to challenge their riding ability.  In that sense there's a learning curve with trials but is a very rewarding experience allowing to carryover even the most basic techniques to other bicycle discipline.

Trials Specific Techniques
Though each techniques have proper way of executing the move, when it comes to tackling obstacles, there's no right or wrong way in which techniques are used.  Riders will usually choose what may be the most efficient, more reliable and basically being able to stay on the bike.  It is a crucial decision especially during a competition where one penalty point can mean a win or a loss.

You'll see riders balancing on the rear wheel in bicycle trials.  Aside from two wheel balancing, rear balancing is executed often in order to use techniques such as sidehop, gap to rear, gap to front, hoo-ha, pedal kick and so on.  For bigger/taller obstacles a rider may use techniques like bunnyhop, pedal up, hook, tap and others that use both speed, power and precise timing.

Best part of learning trials is that it can be done anywhere.  Beginner riders will often start learning basic two wheel balancing and pivoting.  Street curve and using a pallet is a common regimen to get familiar with the bike.  There really isn't a limit as to how far you can go into the sport.

Have any questions?  Comments?  Contact us any time if you're new to the sport and would like to get started!