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What is Bike Trials?
Bike trials is an individual sport that incorporates the use of a special bicycle which the rider must maneuver and balance on in order to complete specially designed artificial or natural "sections." The objective is to pass through the sections with as little physical contact with the ground as possible, hence obtaining minimum penalty points.
Bike Trials comes from Motorcycle Trials. Motorcycle trials riders wanted to give their kids something to practice on before moving up to motorcycles, and some of the kids grew up to love bike trials more. For a more detailed history, click here.
There are 4 different classes at competitions in the United States - Beginner, Sport, Expert, and Pro.
Depending on your class, you have either 2 or 3 minutes to complete one section. There are usually about 5 different sections that are done in order 2 or 3 times. 1 penalty point is given each time riders touch the course with one part of their body. 5 penalty points are given when riders touch the course with more than one part of their body. When a rider reaches 5 penalty points in one section, they are finished with that section until the next loop. For more detailed rules, click here. BIU World Round rules can be found here.
There are two categories of competition, one for each kind of trials bike:
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Part of an expert section at Mammoth that riders on modified bikes had to maneuver up (steeper than it appears)
The number of dabs you take in each section are punched out of this card after every section.
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20" (Modified) Trials Bikes Stock & Mod Tech Info
20" trials bikes are made specifically for the sport of bike trials. Generally speaking, beginners and younger riders go for modified trials bikes because they are simple to maintain, there is no rear derailleur to break, and they often provide more clearance in the likely incident of a crash. Here is a quick look at what you can expect on most bikes...
• 20" front wheel
• 19" or 20" rear wheel with fat tire
• Wide rims
• Bashguard bolted to the frame to protect the ring/freewheel
• 1 gear
• Gear Ratio: 18/12 or 22/16
• Strong brakes
Browse trials bikes in the archive
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2004 Veritas Beginner Mod Trials Bike
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26" (Stock) Trials Bikes Stock & Mod Tech Info
This category includes 26" trials bikes made specifically for bike trials, as well as cross country and dual slalom bikes that are modified for bike trials use. Here is a quick look at what you can expect on most bikes...
• 26" wheels with fat rear tire
• Low frame for standover room
• Short chainstays for better balance on the rear wheel
• Wide rims
• Bashring on the crankarm to protect the ring
• 5 or more gears
• Gear Ratio: ~20/12-21 (commonly used: 20/17, 22/18, 22/19, 18/15)
• Strong brakes
Browse trials bikes in the archive to see more.
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2003 Zoo Boa Stock Trials Bike
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Where did the name come from?
Trial \Tri"al\, n. [From {Try}.] 1. The act of trying or testing in any manner. (Webster's Dictionary)
Bike trials is a sport in which one's bike skills are tested. They are tested through a series of sections, or trials. I assume that this is how the name bike trials came about.
Observed bicycle trials is another name for bike trials. "Observed" refers to the checker watching the rider and counting penalty points.
Frequently asked questionsWhat is bike trials?Bike trials is an individual sport in which a rider maneuvers and balances a special bicycle through marked "sections" — artificial or natural obstacle courses — trying to get through with as little physical contact with the ground as possible. Each touch, called a "dab", adds penalty points. How is bike trials scored?A rider loses 1 penalty point each time a part of the body touches the course, and 5 points for touching with more than one part at once. Reaching 5 points ends that section for the rider until the next loop. The lowest total score wins. What are the competition classes?In the United States there are four classes — Beginner, Sport, Expert and Pro. Depending on class, riders get 2 or 3 minutes per section, usually across about five sections ridden two or three times. What is the difference between 20-inch and 26-inch trials bikes?20-inch "mod" bikes are purpose-built, single-gear machines favoured by beginners and younger riders for their simplicity and crash clearance. 26-inch "stock" bikes run larger wheels and multiple gears. Competition is held in separate categories for each. Where does the name "trials" come from?A "trial" is the act of testing. In bike trials a rider's skills are tested through a series of sections, or trials. The sport is also called observed bicycle trials, because a checker observes each rider and counts penalty points.
See alsoLast reviewed July 2026.
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