middleageman

Hi, ...erm...i've just recently been validated to the members forum, what the bejesus are you all talking about? All these posts are going over my head like a Topol SS 27 missile! I think i'll meander through the murky waters of the 'newbies' section for a while! I didn't realise Trials was so involved. Sorry to intrude. middleageman

My goodness! I've never seen the like. As a complete novice, i've been debating the purchase of a 20" mod, 26" stock or the rarely discussed 24" recently. Upon watching the extraordinary feats of the riders in the the 'youtube videos', am i witnessing the birth of a new style of Trials? Hence 24" Trials? I may quickly have to revise my letter to Santa! By the way. Where can I purchase some of those anti-gravity wheels? Or are they simply, helium filled innertubes? middleageman.

A very good evening to you Chris. I am replying to your correspondence, not, unfortunately, to overwhelm you with my abundant advice or knowledge of Trials, as i myself, am a complete novice, but to congratulate you in your literate and descriptive posting style. I see you've been validated for membership of the forum, exultations Sir! A fellow 'newbie'.

Thanks again for some interesting replies guys. If it's a physical size issue, (i'm 39 years old, 5' 11", 12 1/2 stone and out of condition!) would a stock be the best? You see, i'll be starting from scratch ( and probably bump, graze and break!) How would a long frame mod suit? Are these for larger people or a different style of trials? As you can probably gather, i've a lot to learn. I've tried searching previous threads/posts, but my search technique is not yet the best. By the time i've found out what i need, i'll be the UK's first trialling grandad! Therefore i'm sorry if covering old forum ground. Also, an interesting point was made earlier that hadn't crossed my mind. I'd considered the inevitability of damaging myself whilst learning, but not that of breaking components on the bike. Maybe i should lower my ambition of a shiney, new, trialers dream bike and consider something a bit lower down in price, with cash left over to replace parts, pay doctors bills etc.! Thanks for your time. Any further help would be very welcome. middeageman Oh, i forgot to mention i can't really try out different bikes in my neck of the woods as i've never even seen one round here!

Thank you all, for your insightful, varied and informative views, but to coin a Welsh phrase - " I'm none the bloody wiser!" What about the 24"? Hey, sorry, thanks for your help guys! I can sort of see there are two schools of thought out there. I was just trying to articulate my particular situation. Maybe this is a choice i have to resolve myself. middleageman

Thank you all for your informative replies! Especially aener. I've probably garnered more information off your post than a weeks worth of browsing! I'm 5'11, 39 years old , but keen as mustard! This 24" debate seems unresolved to me so far. I've seen a lovely Inspired 4play on Tartybikes, but why aren't there more 24" trials bikes in general?

Hello, this is my first post on the members forum, so, wish me luck! I'm about to pose a question that is probably as old as the forum. It maybe older than trials itself. Christ, it maybe even older than me! Let me explain... I live in a sleepy North Wales town, opposite my house is park. After getting hooked by the trials bug, all i can see whilst walking my dogs, are challenges. I could call them obstacles, but that would be defeatist. A kerb here, a park bench over there, some steps, a sawn off tree stump in the distance! Everything i pass, i'm wondering if i could trials it. Stranger still, i havn't even bought a dedicated bike yet. My question is inevitable, but please, let me colour my picture once more. I live a mile away from the coast. The promenade/beach has miles of steps, walls, slopes, rocks and boulders. (you get the picture!) To get to the crunch, i've been practising trials in my back garden, on first, my old mountain bike, stripped of front mech, seat and post etc. but have honestly found my sons BMX to be easier to learn the basics. Basically less smashing my body into the decking! So here is my dilemma, buy a smaller bike to hone my craft ( or would i look like a dad doing his sons paper round?), a larger bike to get me that mile to the beach, or a medium wheel size which maybe, or not, the best of both. So, dare i ask, a 20" mod, a 24" or a 26" stock

Sorry guys, just trying to correct a spelling mistake and re-posted. Goddam newfangled machinery! Aener, thank you for your considered response, i will reply further when time allows.

Cheers Sammy D, I think i jumped back 11 (TF) feet laughing at your post!!!

Would i be right in suggesting that ZONA are made by ONZA? Also, could it be a copy of the ZOO! Python, but with different geo? I think i may have read this information somehere. Or maybe i'm mad. Hope this helps, they look the dogs!

I didn't know Porche made trials bikes? Is the steering at the back? As far as biking experience goes...... BMX in the mid 80's, a no name xmas pressie but way cool, chrome with blue parts. Think Onza T-Mag. Got some (was it Z rims?) The bendy ones you had to true up all the time! I also cycle raced in my later teens, road bikes, time trials, cyclo cross and track. I also bought a mountain bike in '89. A Diamondback something? It cost £550 quid all that time ago (i'm not rich, just came into some money). It was purple with Shimano parts and a beautiful candle flame paintjob. Does anyone know the model? Unfortunately, i've spent the last 20 years abusing my body through girls, drink etc. and have decided to turn over a new leaf. I was attracted to trials, mainly because after breaking my ankle 2 years ago, i started practacing yoga. The mindset and balance of trials seems to be similar to me. And no, i'm not some new age hippy. I'm hoping the 8 screws and titanium plate in my ankle will make it bionic!

Thanks guys. I bought my son a BMX,......erm.... the trials bikes for me! ha ha. As i seem to be having a mid-life crisis, it was either: (A) buy a 20" mod, a 24" or 26" stock ( get a 20, 24 or 26 year old mistress or © buy a full suss mountain bike and a pipe and some slippers!

Thank you for your imformative replies. I can see my bike choice needs careful consideration, especially due to my increasing age! I also must thank whoever validated me for membership. See you on the other side, friend.

Thank you all for your kind and encouraging replies. Also, I must apologise for my use of 'txt' speak, as I am simply new to forum etiquette. If I may pose a question? From reading various threads/posts, concerning a choice and size of trials bike, am I detecting a certain hierarchy between mod and stock? By this, possibly antagonistical statement, am I to assume that Mod bikes are deemed to be used by the younger and Stock by the more mature user? Or have I, due to lack of knowledge and foresight, completely misinterpreted some of the small amount of posts/threads I have read? I fear this may be online banter and sorry, for any offence, this question may cause. I wecolme your replies. middleageman.

Thanx man! will appreciate some help. I'm an eXtreme newbie!!! By the way, if anyone else enjoyed my fable, give us a shout out!

My name is Dave, the middle aged man. Here is my story.... One evening, whilst browsing the internet, searching for a shiny, new, 'sweet' BMX for my 11 year old son, I happened upon a strange beast! This was like no BMX i'd ever seen, yet, nor was it a Mountain Bike. Stranger still, this particular steed, bore NO SEAT!!! "How can this be!" i said to my wife, who eloquently replied " Uh?". This iron horse required further investigation. Many moons past, yet further i delved. I discovered an 'Underground Scene'. Known by many, yet spoken by few. To my amazement, I found not only, such other, similar beasts, but three different strains, apparently known as the: 20" mod, the 26" stock and the rarely seen 24"! This quest, lead me to the magnificent, wondorous and informative world of 'TRIALS'!!! Anyway, enough of the wordy bollox! I'll be posting a few questions soon and would appreciate some help/abuse. thanks 4 ur time. middleageman.