I was really in to trials in my teens. After getting the hang of it riding second-hand steel XC hardtails and dirt jumpers, I finally scraped together enough money to build myself a brand new Planet X Tibo (with admittedly second hand Maguras). I even talked the guys at my local bike shop in to drilling the rim for me. I rode it for about a year, then had to move away to a place where the sport was unheard of, and found other hobbies. But I've kept the bike with me since then, through moves and more, unwilling to shake the dream that I might someday get back on it.

But now, twice the age I was when I stopped riding, with two kids and a 60+ hour/week job, I'm starting to accept that I will not and maybe should not ever get back in to the sport.

Not only that, I'm out of the loop. Where does one even sell a trials bike these days? Not that I'm expecting to recoup even half of what I spent on it 20 years ago, but it could at least find a rider rather than sitting in my cramped basement.

Hey folks, I'm in the process of planning an indoor trials jam to be held on April 6, 2024 in Rhode Island (US). In addition to a mini trials comp, there will be other skills contests as well, such as skinnies, bunny hops, and more - so not just a pure trials comp, but hopefully something for everyone. All skill levels, comp and street riders alike. Event details here. Online registration should be opening up soon. Hope you can make it!

Looking for a high quality inner tube to fit a Clean Koala 19" x 2.6" tire. I'm a bit of a weight weenie so being lightweight is a plus.

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US street trials rider Nathaniel Moore

I recently caught up with up-and-coming US street trials rider Nathaniel Moore to discuss his bike trials background, his perspectives on trials in North America, and the sport in general. This was a fun interview; Nathaniel's exuberance is readily apparent - he's passionate about trials! In addition to his serious skills, he also demonstrates extreme persistence as he pushes himself for hours to perfect trials lines for his edits. If you haven't seen him ride, you absolutely need to watch his videos (and follow him on Instagram!) - links are in the interview.

I have been running Magura mt5 brakes for a while but they are incredibly hard to get a good bleed on and are overall just finicky. I heard good things about the Hayden’s dominion brakes but before I buy them I wanted to know if Shimano slx brakes are good.

Hi, I bought a used Inspired Fourplay recently, and the tires on it were Schwalbe Hans Dampf which is kinda odd. I have tire inserts so minimum tire width is 2.2”. Any suggestions for replacement?

Hello folks,

I have a 2013 Inspired Element (24") - looking to upgrade the rear v-brakes to hydraulic. Looking at the Magura HS33. I'm very new to this... the frame in the Element supports a 2-bolt v-brake, and the bolt spacing seems to be ~92mm. But I can't find any dimensional information about the HS33. Is anybody able to confirm or deny compatibility? Photos attached.

Thanks!

https://preview.redd.it/jmde5zm8cgvb1.jpg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3b671bc6c8f194310e76bd4ed12ed98145760bd1

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https://preview.redd.it/aaful8jacgvb1.jpg?width=897&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=53300c7af40f625ef15d6644f89f844ffcd4f34e

I recently interviewed street trials rider Travis Gardner. Check it out, and make sure you follow him on IG!

Travis Gardner and his Inspired Hex

I am trying to learn some basic trials skills, starting with the track stand. I've been having some moderate success so far with the "wheel against a large object/wall" method, but one of the problems I'm having is that the surface I'm practicing on is polished concrete and my tires are sliding across the floor at times as a result. I am doing this on a mulleted hard tail mountain bike. Current tires are Minion DHF front (29er, 2.5WT, 3CT EXO on 29mm internal width rim, 26psi) and a Rocket Ron (27.5", 2.8", super ground EVO, 40mm internal rim, 24.5psi).

Obviously not at all the ideal bike or setup at all but it's probably the best option I have (others are a full sus Enduro bike and a road racing bike)

I can't be the only one doing trials on polished concrete, so what tires might I have better success with here? I don't currently have access to a different floor surface to try practicing on.

Also, is it just my being a total newbie, or are track stands and other trials moves way easier with hubs that have "higher" engagement? The current hubs on this bike have 15 POE, so 24* which I'm finding makes it really hard to have the pedals even close to level most of the time, and ratcheting out on trails is pert near impossible... Good ol' OEM Formula DC-2641 hubs...

I'm in the early stages of planning a winter indoor trials competition at the Peace Dale Ramp Room in RI. Please indicate your interest level, and then post your rider class (beginner, intermediate, expert, elite) and your geographic location in the comments.

No details yet because I'm just starting, but I might also look to throw in some other activities along with the comp itself. One example could be trials coaching from an elite rider (would be an additional fee for that).

I need to get a feel now since we need to start planning to build the modular course obstacles, etc.

More on the Ramp Room here: https://www.peacedaleramproom.com/

View Poll

Hi all. New to the forum and did some searching. Are there any bike trials parks in the US like there are in the UK?

Hey there,

I am looking for a reasonably priced HS brake pad, and I stumbled upon the Magura Red and Green ones. I have a black anodized Echo rim, so according to that, the green would work best: Red: Suitable for uncoated (polished) aluminium rims. Green: Suitable for all hard anodized (black) and ceramic coated rim surfaces.

Has anyone tried any of these? Are they good enough for trials?

Thanks!

Curious if anyone has tried the newer DOT 6 brake fluid, particularly in your hope brakes? But I'll take what I can get...

It has an even thinner viscosity than 5.1, so I've been wondering if anyone has tried it, and if they think it feels better or worse for trials - worth the added cost/difficulty getting it?

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David bails from an attempt at the final gate of an expert section during a 2022 comp

Fails and bails are an integral part of trials. You ain't failin', you ain't tryin'. To celebrate this glorious aspect of our beloved sport, I've begun creating compilation videos of the best crashes, fails, and bails for each year starting in 2021. The 2021-2022 seasons are complete; 2023 will be coming soon. To witness the mayhem, check out the new playlist at https://bit.ly/47CG5hu (sound on!). Enjoy!

Kind of a strange question…How is it riding a street trials bike a couple of miles? I’ve been into trials for years, and do what I can on a small framed Kona Shred I built up for a bit of trials a while back. I’ve always wanted an actual trials bike, and a used Fourplay popped up for sale not too far from me. I often ride 2-3 slow miles with my young kids, and I was thinking a street trials bike might be perfect to cruise around with my kids and have fun myself learning more trials skills. I’m only 5’6” tall. Any advice? Thanks in advance 👍

Do you always keep your finger over the brake or only when needed with a full grip of the bar if not needed?

I see Danny quite often rides with finger over one brake and other hand fully gripped.

https://youtu.be/36WKdKhAuUw

Hey guys, I finally made my second ever video part for the recent Inspired Bicycles video contest! Nearly every trick was pushing my limits, and I’m super proud of the editing and riding; it’s a short video, but each clip took hours.

https://youtu.be/YX2_eSN2YXQ

I’d really appreciate you guys checking it out if you can!!

Follow my Instagram to see me biking more often: @nathaniel__moore (with 2 underscores)

Leave a comment with what you think of the video! Thanks for watching!

Hey Im an experienced rider who does a lot of riding around great falls in Virginia. Im wondering if there are any riders around here who want to meet up. All riders welcome including people looking for help!

I have a really small budget but whant to get into it