MTB Trials in the Mojave Desert – Video

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takeiteasyridehard (Jan 31, 2018 at 9:25)

That is some serious skill. Very well made, and very good riding. It's interesting to see the contrast between a core trials rider and some of the "street trials" macaskill types while on more "street trials" terrain. Their take on it is quite different, and what the pure trials bike lacks in street geometry seems to hold it back a bit. I am not trying to take away from this video, I'm just saying it how I see it. Granted I rode some street trials, never pure trials. It would be interesting to me, to see a pure trials rider on some insane trials competition course. I have a hard time not looking at this as lacking a little in street moves and flow. The rollouts look awkward with that low long front end. It would be cool to see him on pure trials stuff since he is 12x trials champ. That video was awesome though, it did make me want to go pedal kick some gaps...and I haven't wanted to do that in a while.

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romkaind (Jan 31, 2018 at 10:52)

Observed Trials - a bicycle sport main part of which is conquer any obstacles. Street Trials - mainly show-off and stylish moves on obstacles that are good for it.

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kylebikesalot (Jan 31, 2018 at 13:02)

I think competition trials are cool and all. But street trials is were it is at. You can do more then just trials, you can do box moves, and dirt jumping. Not dissing on the video just putting that out there.

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jubs17 (Jan 31, 2018 at 15:30)

More! More trials in Pinkbike!

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ryseyer (Jan 31, 2018 at 10:07)

first vid I saw of this place a couple years ago:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbSbbY5ibas

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kylebikesalot (Feb 1, 2018 at 9:20)

I wouldn’t say trials is dead, I would just say it is evolving into more of a street trials. More creativity and a lot more publicity too, through the likes of Danny MacAskill, and the drop and roll tour.

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dhb7 (Jan 31, 2018 at 8:47)

Isn't this where Semenuk and Mccaul filmed one of the Life Behind Bars episodes?

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Hammer48 (Jan 31, 2018 at 13:06)

I wish I could bunny hop like he does..

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tcmtnbikr (Jan 31, 2018 at 9:57)

Same waterpark...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsLRa44stuk

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flipoffthemonkeys (Feb 1, 2018 at 5:50)

serious question-no insult intended-why do trials riders rock the 120mm stem?

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yfrnaks (Feb 1, 2018 at 9:39)

None taken - it's a common bike set up question. It make maneuvers like the "up to front" easier to execute where you're transferring your weight up front. In the video at ~1:45, when Mike up to fronts on the stairs, watch where his body is in relationship to the entire bike.

There are other reason to rock a long stem but for front wheel maneuvers, it makes it easier to pivot. If you watch a UCI trials competition on YouTube, you'll see that UTF maneuver executed a lot on the really tall stuff.

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flipoffthemonkeys (Feb 1, 2018 at 9:49)

@yfrnaks: thanks dude.

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MountainCycler17 (Feb 2, 2018 at 15:05)

Lake Delores was great in the mid 80's. Zip-cord ride was the best!

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MindPatterns FL (Jan 31, 2018 at 6:39)

War. War never changes.

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pinhead907 (Jan 31, 2018 at 6:57)

Nice riding. Do trials guys prefer rim brakes?

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Ninty (Jan 31, 2018 at 7:09)

Usually just the rear brake

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Tmackstab (Jan 31, 2018 at 7:09)

26" rotors have way more modulation than 8" rotors.

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vweb (Jan 31, 2018 at 7:21)

@Tmackstab: nothing to do with modulation, hydraulic rim brakes on grinding rims are not only kind of on/off brakes, those are the definition of on/off brakes.

@pinhead907: instant power, no flex from spokes (that's why mod guys -trials guys on 20" bikes- can use disc or rims, when 26" guys are only -at least rear- with rim brakes), lightness.

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Tmackstab (Jan 31, 2018 at 8:08)

@vweb: Dude...it was a joke lol

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vweb (Jan 31, 2018 at 8:55)

@Tmackstab: I've got to work on my irony radar I guess ^^

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pinhead907 (Jan 31, 2018 at 9:03)

@vweb: Alright, thanks guys. I don't really follow trials - and in fact, didn't even notice that he had rim brakes until I heard that familiar squeak. Then I took a closer look.

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NinetySixBikes (Jan 31, 2018 at 11:58)

On my trial bikes I also prefer rim brakes. Not because of the feeling or modulation, but discs are more prone to getting damaged when you slip of the side of an obstacle.

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yfrnaks (Jan 31, 2018 at 14:38)

I ride rim brakes because my ups to front and gaps to front, I need my brake at 100% or off but that's my riding style. Disc brakes on a stock (26") bike, especially on the rear isn't popular because there's a lot of flex that comes though the spokes and flexes the frame especially since you're doing rear wheel landings with the brake at 100%. You can break your frame if the rear has no reinforcement on the chain and seat stays. Modified (20") riders don't have that problem so much because of the smaller wheel size. Also, do a rear wheel side hop on a stock trials bike and it's a good way to bend rear wheel rotors.

If you pay attention to the brake set ups on the UCI pro stock trials bikes, you'll see lots of reinforcement on those frames where the brake mounts are.

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WECustomizeBikes (Jan 31, 2018 at 7:01)

jeej! trials on pinkbike

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dzembi (Jan 31, 2018 at 12:02)

Fallout anyone ?

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drummuy04 (Jan 31, 2018 at 15:09)

Since when does Haro make a trials bike?

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jubs17 (Jan 31, 2018 at 15:28)

Never knew that either!?!?

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ridintrials (Jan 31, 2018 at 16:58)

Haro does not make a trials bike. That's a Haro sticker on someone else's frame.

Back in the day it was common practice for the big guys like Jamis and Trek to have a sponsored trials rider on a rebranded Monty frame. I think GT was the only "big" manufacturer to make a trials specific frame (and it SUCKED). I think Lebor may have rode an actual Cannondale.

Nowadays I think Haro is the only one who does this as real trials is basically dead in the states.

Props to Mike for riding this wave to the bitter end. There is no one really left to compete against, probably has something to do with the 12 time champion claim.

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yfrnaks (Jan 31, 2018 at 17:41)

@ridintrials: Libor Karas did ride an actual CDale - In fact, he's selling his frame and his original Volvo clothes on eBay right now. Just search "Libor Karas." And yes, that is Libor.

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drummuy04 (Jan 31, 2018 at 22:18)

@ridintrials: Not sure why it is dying. Sort of like roller blading. I love riding my trials bike. I bring it to the high school races that I coach at and everyone screws around on it and it is a blast.

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glasvagas FL (Feb 1, 2018 at 0:59)

@ridintrials: Hahaha, so true.

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steezer (Feb 1, 2018 at 5:03)

@yfrnaks: And Martyn Ashton too!

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yfrnaks (Feb 1, 2018 at 17:13)

@steezer: You're right - the "Beast of the East" frame!

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j-davin (Feb 1, 2018 at 3:09)

CAPE TOWN going look like that on 16 April

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drinkgoodbikes (Feb 2, 2018 at 9:53)

Dope edit with all of the graffiti. Saw a few recognizable names.

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fattyreryder (Jan 31, 2018 at 15:04)

Go Mike!

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glasvagas FL (Feb 1, 2018 at 1:02)

Worst. Style. Ever.