An ultimate guide to bike trials

Bike trial (translated from English as “attempt”) is a sport based on overcoming a variety of obstacles, both natural and artificial, on a bicycle. The main rule is not to touch the track with anything other than the bike. This discipline is so fascinating that it gained worldwide recognition as soon as it appeared. In addition to using special bikes, athletes demonstrate excellent physical training: endurance, strength, agility, sense of balance.

Types of bike trial

Today there are two main types of this discipline. The first one is athletic. It involves covering a track with natural or specially equipped obstacles. The entire route is divided into separate sections (up to 10). The rider must pass each of them strictly in the allotted time, while gaining a minimum number of penalty points. Penalties are assessed for touching the track with hands, feet or anything other than the bike. An athlete who receives five penalty points is disqualified. The competitor who exceeds the time limit will be disqualified from the race as well.

European Championships are the most difficult in the world. Some routes lay on the mountain rivers, waterfalls. In these areas, the probability of touching the ground or falling significantly increases.  Another type of bike trials involves performing a variety of acrobatic tricks. The speed is less important than the complexity and technique.

Athletic bike trial is further subdivided into several disciplines.

• Street-trial involves passing the route with obstacles in the form of street infrastructure: steps, curbs, benches, railings, etc. Sometimes the routes take place on the roofs of houses.
• Cross-country trail involves passing terrain obstacles, as well as various stones, piled logs.
• Some trials are created artificially and include several sections with different kinds of obstacles: tires, concrete blocks, etc.

Bicycles for bike trial

Of course, riding any bicycle involves overcoming different obstacles, and the mountain bike is the best choice for this. Yet, a mountain bike will not be enough for bike trial. The bicycle should be designed for high loads, so its frame design should be rigid. At the same time, the bike should be lightweight, as the body of the cyclist must grasp it while jumping. Such bikes may not have a saddle. These bicycles must stop instantly, which is why they are equipped with brakes. The pedals are very strong, wide, with spikes, and the contact of the foot with the pedal must be very good. The wheels are very important: they must be small (from 20 to 26 inches in diameter) and very durable.

The bicycles have two varieties: mod and stock. The mod is originally a special “modified” bike, while the stock is usually a converted mountain bike. What are the differences between them?

• The mod bikes are lightweight bikes (up to 12 kg) with no seat. The frame is made of molybdenum and equipped with additional reinforcement. The pedals are studded and the brakes are rimmed. These bikes have only one speed. Wheels usually have a diameter of 20-26 inches.
• The stock bikes are heavy and massive bicycles with bigger diameter. Large mass improves balance, so it is more convenient to perform different tricks and jumps on these mikes.

Technique

Technique in bike trial is defined as a set of rational technical actions in order to successfully overcome various obstacles, both natural and artificial. Each obstacle is an object which has its own specific parameters, namely height, width and length, which undoubtedly imposes its own specifics on the ways of overcoming them. All these elements are divided into various jumps or riding on one wheel. There are so many elements that it is hard to enumerate all of them. Every rider can modify the elements to make them more fascinating.

Safety rules

Bike trial is recognized as a very traumatic discipline. It is concerned with the probability of falling, which can lead to injuries of varying degrees of complexity. Therefore, professional riders adhere to two basic safety rules:

1. Do not use pedals that are attached to the boots, because at any time you need to be ready to put your foot on the surface. Yes, in this case, you will lose some points, but in a critical situation it will help to preserve your health.
2. Do not neglect the protective equipment. First of all, knee pads and shields for the shins are used, because the spikes on the pedals can seriously cripple the legs. Elbow pads and hand guards are also useful because you have to lean on them when you fall. In addition, of course, cycling is inadmissible without a full-face helmet, which protects the face, head and chin of the athlete.

History

Bike trial dates back to the 70’s of the 20th century. There is still controversy about its birthplace: some people believe that Spain is the home of the discipline, others are convinced that it appeared in the United States. In the U.S., the development of a new sport is linked with the name of Eddie Kessler, the champion of motorcycle trials. He initiated the bicycle training and organized four national championships from 1973-1980. In 1981, Eddie became the author of a motorcycle triathlon instructional book.

In 1980, Pedro Pi from Spain designed the first bicycle for bike trials, and his son went on to become the most famous triathlete in the world. Spanish sportsmen are considered the founders of the European school of this sport. The European Championships were considered the most difficult. The first world championship was held in 1992 in Spain. By that time, the number of fans of the new discipline had been growing enormously, and the cycling triathlon had become popular all over the world.

All in all, as you can see, bike trial is a sport that is very similar to the motorcycle trial, but it involves riding a bicycle. This discipline requires a lot of training to be able to cover the distances successfully and perform various stunts without mistakes.