Eddiej

Don't worry, no one has put me off. It is all very interesting reading. I was actually eyeing up an mtb that has been sitting in the back of the shed un used for a couple of years, due to the frame size being too small for regular use. Clearly it won't stand the strain expected of a trials dedicated bike, but I'm the wrong side of 50 and when I actually sat and thought about what I want from a bike, rather than dreaming of the daft and impossible, I should just concentrate on balance skills and small scale stuff which I can put into good practice when out in the Alps riding on terrain such as this again. Thinking about it sensibly, all of what I want to learn can be done on a regular mtb, after all that is what I want the skills for. The appeal of learning on a trials bike, was being able to get off easily when things go wrong, especially in respect of hitting the crown jewels on a cross bar. Something that like countless others, I have done all too often! I guess that a dedeicated bike, would somehow give confidence, but maybe I am over thinking that one. If learning trials skills could have enhanced my exercise routine in respect of the muscle wastage, it would have been a massive bonus, especially if it could have done away with the indoor exercise routine. I'd happily spend whatever time required daily practicing on a bike, if it helped to do away with the indoor work. I guess that the best way of finding out what will work or won't work, is to try it. If think do work out positively, I very much suspect that I will still end up buying a trials bike though, simply because I love the clean flowing simplistic look of them, it would take up no room to take to work with me for lunch time play, and even in my own neighbourhood, I could spend an afternoon playing around on tarmac conditions in very little space, when things are just too muddy and horrid to be out on the other bikes. Amazing what you can talk your self into! Thanks again.

My thanks for both the replies and kind words, both are appreciated. Sadly it does sound as though trials is not a good solution for me. Shame though, as the idea was really starting to grow on me. Thanks again.

Hi, this a slightly different question from the norm. I suffer from a muscle imbalance which badly affects my kness, and to ease things I require a daily exercise routine that aims to strengthen my quads, glutes and hamstrings. I already ride both an mtb and eMTB all year round, three to four times a week, but struggle when having to climb when standing on the pegs. I really hate my daily home exercise routine, but I am getting very drawn towards a trials bike, which besides aiding my regular mtb riidng use, might also aid or hopefully replace my exercise programme. So my question is. What muscle groups are used when trials riding?