Being of the generation I am probably gives me a jaundiced view of this as I grew up and had a big interest in the sport when trials were 'proper' and not the display of trick-cycling they are now. IMNSHO, the problems started when Yamaha introduced the mono-shock TY250 which was far and away more capable than the twin-shock opposition who soon followed suit. Then all bikes became mono-shock, hugely capable machines meaning that sections had to become harder and harder resulting in a sport changing from one that anyone could compete in without fear to one where, should you fail to reach the 'end' marker at the top of that vertical cliff-face, you were in serious danger of life-changing injuries.
This, I believe, is the reason for the current healthy interest in twin-shock and pre-65 trials as 'normal' people can compete with little risk to life and limb. And, should they wish, they can probably also wear Dunlop Trials Wellies and a Belstaff Trialsmaster Waxed Cotton jacket.
I'd suggest that a starter is well advised to try a cheap and safe twin-shock bike from the 70s or 80s first to cut their teeth on rather than leap straight onto a modern machine whose abilities far outstrip the novice and lose them.
I remember that time well, hauling a Greaves Scottish around sections which then you looked at with a great deal of satisfaction if you got round, let alone cleaning them, the same sections now would be little more than a gentle practice patch. As for Dunlop trials wellies, Oh I wish you could still get them feet stayed dry all day, and never a problem with injuries just that aroma when you took them off, which added to the ambience of stale feet, Castrol R, jacket wax etc, which meant you didnt need a gps to find a trial you got within a mile and sniffed the air
__________________
Riding with enthusiasm upon the ragged precipice of disaster
Being of the generation I am probably gives me a jaundiced view of this as I grew up and had a big interest in the sport when trials were 'proper' and not the display of trick-cycling they are now. IMNSHO, the problems started when Yamaha introduced the mono-shock TY250 which was far and away more capable than the twin-shock opposition who soon followed suit. Then all bikes became mono-shock, hugely capable machines meaning that sections had to become harder and harder resulting in a sport changing from one that anyone could compete in without fear to one where, should you fail to reach the 'end' marker at the top of that vertical cliff-face, you were in serious danger of life-changing injuries.
This, I believe, is the reason for the current healthy interest in twin-shock and pre-65 trials as 'normal' people can compete with little risk to life and limb. And, should they wish, they can probably also wear Dunlop Trials Wellies and a Belstaff Trialsmaster Waxed Cotton jacket.
I'd suggest that a starter is well advised to try a cheap and safe twin-shock bike from the 70s or 80s first to cut their teeth on rather than leap straight onto a modern machine whose abilities far outstrip the novice and lose them.
Cheers,
John
Thanks for the reply John, I do agree with your advice completely.
But i am fortunate to have a back ground of racing motocross and enduro on a 250 2t, as well as down hill mountian biking and trials riding on a bicycle.
So i think i am probably going to go for the modern trials bike. Having said that i am intending to modify the bike slightly to make it a bit less full on trial and a bit more green laner and freeride bike.
And i do agree the modern trials obsticles are terrifying and i will not be heading up any steep sheer cliffs for quite some time!!
Do you do any of the pre 65 stuff??
__________________
More Speed, More power, More Insane..... More tea vicar???
Being of the generation I am probably gives me a jaundiced view of this as I grew up and had a big interest in the sport when trials were 'proper' and not the display of trick-cycling they are now. IMNSHO, the problems started when Yamaha introduced the mono-shock TY250 which was far and away more capable than the twin-shock opposition who soon followed suit. Then all bikes became mono-shock, hugely capable machines meaning that sections had to become harder and harder resulting in a sport changing from one that anyone could compete in without fear to one where, should you fail to reach the 'end' marker at the top of that vertical cliff-face, you were in serious danger of life-changing injuries.
This, I believe, is the reason for the current healthy interest in twin-shock and pre-65 trials as 'normal' people can compete with little risk to life and limb. And, should they wish, they can probably also wear Dunlop Trials Wellies and a Belstaff Trialsmaster Waxed Cotton jacket.
I'd suggest that a starter is well advised to try a cheap and safe twin-shock bike from the 70s or 80s first to cut their teeth on rather than leap straight onto a modern machine whose abilities far outstrip the novice and lose them.
Cheers,
John
I completely disagree
Modern bikes are really easy to ride, they perform really well
All Club trials cater for all classes and abilities of rider, most run 3 routes from easy to intermediate to expert - so you can choose your pick and move up as you progress
No sections are 'dangerous' at a Club trial, you'll find no Championship 'sheer' cliff faces at these Trials.............far from it
You can still ride in wellies, overalls and a wax jacket, nobody will care - only safety item mandatory is a helmet
So, saying modern bikes led to the downfall is rubbish, trials is now more popular than it ever was - with entries of 100 at club trials from 5 year olds up to 80 year olds
Pre 65 and T/S is about nostalgia, not about ease to ride and most sections nowadays are easier than they were in the 70's
Owning both, i'd pick my modern fuel injected 4 stroke monoshock disc braked Trials bike, over my 1970's T/S Yamaha Majesty........... any Sunday
Please don't put the lad off, Trials is a fine, fun and safe sport in 2012
-- Edited by Johnnyboxer on Sunday 5th of August 2012 08:26:20 PM
-- Edited by Johnnyboxer on Monday 6th of August 2012 07:10:10 AM
-- Edited by Johnnyboxer on Monday 6th of August 2012 07:11:58 AM
__________________
So many roads........................So little time
