The Extreme Sport Of Trials Bike

By Gary Mchale - Last updated: Saturday, March 27, 2010

The Extreme Sport Of 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 :
Trial Bike

  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.

Trials bike course

The word TRIALSis not a mistake, it is used as the rider must perform a series of trials rather than an individual trial.

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.


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Good Road bike for entry-mid level?

By Gary Mchale - Last updated: Friday, September 3, 2010

Men’s Kent GMC Yukon XL Road Bike

http://www.amazon.com/GMC-Yukon-XL-Road-Bike/dp/B000FDKPCU

all my buds have road bikes and invite me to bike to the lake with them alot and im behind on my mountain bike. This bike is cheap and i have some okay experience on road bikes. I think this is a cheap way to have a good enough road bike to go with them. they have bikes ranging from 400-600 dollars. Im not looking for expensive top dollar racers i just want a good bike and something i could use in a time trial. nothing serious

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Advanced composite materials?

By Gary Mchale - Last updated: Friday, September 3, 2010

I’m currently designing a next-generation time trial road bike for Ironman triathletes. Currently, most bike frames are made of carbon fiber. Is there anyone out there that knows of new, advanced composite materials that could be used for bike frames in the future? Preferably something stronger AND lighter? Current carbon fiber frames look like this:

http://velosport.fi/images/cervelo/2008%20P3%20Track.jpg

Ideally, the new material could also be molded into one-piece frames like this one. Can anyone help me with this project? Thanks.

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Which Dirt bike is better?

By Gary Mchale - Last updated: Thursday, September 2, 2010

I’m looking to buy a dirt bike for woods and trails riding, I have a lot of riding experience and am looking for a mid size dirt bike, I am trying to decide between a Kawasaki KDX 200 and a Honda Xr 200. I know ones a two stroke and ones a four stroke but which one would be better all around for trial riding?

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I'm looking to get into dirt biking, what is a good bike?

By Gary Mchale - Last updated: Thursday, September 2, 2010

I’m looking to get into dirt biking, mostly trial riding, but knowing myself i’ll probably race as well. I’m 6′1" and weight 165lbs.

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putting aerobars on roadbikes?

By Gary Mchale - Last updated: Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Hi, I am planning to put on aerobars on my roadbike for time trial challenges. Do I need to change some aspects of the bike? e.g. saddle placement and stem length?

I prefer not to change anything on my roadbike coz it was fitted specifically on my body measurements.
heard that it add +7kph on you average. true or just hoax? Can average 35kmh on the hoods and saw that the ITT winners are on the 41kph level. So do i get a shot at the trophy?

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Unlock Torpedo bike in Mario Kart for Wii?

By Gary Mchale - Last updated: Wednesday, September 1, 2010

How do I do this? I heard that to do this, you must Unlock 12 Expert Staff Ghost Data in Time Trials. I have no idea how to do this. Help please. Thanks

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does fully integrated and inline seat mean you cant adjust it on a bike?

By Gary Mchale - Last updated: Tuesday, August 31, 2010

i was looking at the Scott Plasma 3 and wondered, http://www.bikerumor.com/2010/07/16/scott-unveils-consumer-ready-plasma-3-bicycle-for-triathlon-time-trial/

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Should i get the Fit TRL 1 or the 2009 Verde Vex?

By Gary Mchale - Last updated: Tuesday, August 31, 2010

I ride trial and im wondering witch bike i should get cause i like going for huge air

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Can I put shocks on a bmx bike?

By Gary Mchale - Last updated: Monday, August 30, 2010

I ride mtb street and I want something a lot lighter and more trials like will this work fine and not mess up the geometry or wil it make it screwed up and if you have any better ideas please explaine

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neighbors are shooting at canada geese!!!?

By Gary Mchale - Last updated: Monday, August 30, 2010

my neighbors are shooting at canada geese!!! they have a dirt bike trial and they have been shooting and hitting at them for about a week now to make them leave. how can i help the geese? here is our DNR site for them http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-31574_31580-232004–,00.html should i call? i dont have proof. i saw it and my family saw it happen thats it. what can i do? poor geese. :( the geese’s natural habitat is where their trail is
no spam or ill report you!!!

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