Trials Bike
The Extreme Sport Of Trials Bike

trials bike
 The extreme sport of Trials Bike is said to have originated in Spain.
It came about due to children wanting to learn motorcycle trials, motorcycles were seen as too powerful and too difficult to handle for younger children and beginners.
Mountain bikes were used by the children and beginners helping them build enough power and handling skills before moving onto motorcycle.

The mountain bikes were modified to suit the terrain they were used for until the trials bike was developed as standard.
The main characteristics of the trials bike are :
  1. Lightweight parts.
  2. Powerful Brakes.
  3. Single speed low gearing.
  4. Low tyre pressure.
  5. A thick rear tyre.
  6. Lack of seat and seating stem.
  7. Distinct frame geometry.
All these features are designed to give a trials bike rider manouverability over man made and natural obstacles that make up a trials bike course.
Also known as observed trials riding a trials bike is the ultimate test of bike handling skills.

Trials bikes have taken off in a big way especially in Europe although Japan and America seem to be catching on and taking up this extreme sport.
The word TRIALS is not a mistake, it is used as the rider must perform a series of trials rather than an individual trial.
Trials bike course
A trials bike course will contain a series of man made and natural elements.
These include wooden pallets, wooden reels, planks, rocks and boulders.
The object is to navigate the course without touching the ground or obstacle.
Each time a part of your body touches the ground or an obstacle you are given a penalty point known as a DAB.
The person who finishes all of their trials with the least amount of DAB's is declared the winner.


Here is a full list of penalty points you can receive on a trials bike course.
Complete section with no DAB's 0 Points
Over the time limit 5 Points
1st DAB 1 Point
2nd DAB 2 Points
3rd DAB 3 Points
4th DAB 3 Points
5 or more DAB's 5 Points
2 DAB's at the same time 5 Points
Leaning the handlebar on an obstacle 1 Point
Touching the hand to any object other than the trials bike or yourself 5 Points
Help from end toe or heel 1 Point
Outside section limits with either tyre 5 Points
Dabbing outside section limit 1 Point
Breaking a ribbon or knocking down a marker 5 Points
2 DAB's at the same side of trials bike 5 Points
Sliding a foot on the ground 3 Points
Modifying a section 10 Points
Losing score card Disqualified
Gate foul 5 Points
Pre-riding the course 100 Points

A full set of bike trials rules can be found HERE
These rules are from UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale), most competition rules are standard for trials bike competition but ensure you receive a full set of rules for the governing body of the competition you have entered.

Trials bike riding is a sport of endurance, fitness and skill. The VIDEOS section shows trials bike riders performing tricks and stunts. Although a lot of people learn to ride trials bike to copy such tricks if you are genuine about entering bike trials competition you need to learn and practice the moves which can be found HERE

Whether your learning trials bike to have fun or enter competitions stay safe. Always wear protective clothing, do regular stretches and excercises before and after using your trials bike and don't bite off more than you can chew. Just like any sport practice is the key to perfection so keep on practising and become a winner.