# Bike Trials Rules

*Taken from the 1999 NORBA Competition Guide. See also the [BIU World Round rules](/comp/BIU/).*

In bike trials, riders negotiate a series of obstacle **sections** and collect **penalty points** for touching the ground; the lowest total score wins. This page covers the full scoring system, tie-breakers, section time limits and the bike requirements for the stock and mod classes. New to the sport? Start with [What is Bike Trials?](/intro/what.html) or the [trials dictionary](/intro/dictionary.html).

*See also this [abridged rule guide with photos](https://web.archive.org/web/20050403203510/http://www.otmagazine.com/rules.shtml)
from [Observed Trials Magazine](https://web.archive.org/web/20010516021720/http://www.otmagazine.com/) (archived — the original site is gone).*
[What is Observed Trials?](#1)

[What happens in the event of a tie?](#2)

[How do I get penalty points?](#3)

[How long do I have to complete a section?](#4)

[What are the requirements for my bike?](#6)

[What the heck do all these weird words mean (Glossary of Observed Trials Definitions)?](#7)

## What is Observed Trials?

Events are conducted over an obstacle course including such natural
or man-made hazards as mud, rocks, water, logs, walls, pallets, spools,
etc. and can have any number of sections. The riders attempt to negotiate
each section without putting down a foot or hand (dab). Each dab (foot or hand) adds a point to
the rider's score. The rider with the lowest
total score wins the event.

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## What happens in the event of a tie?

In the event of a tie in the top positions, the following tie breaker
will be used (in descending order):

- The rider with the most cleans;

- The rider with the most ones, twos, etc.;

- The rider winning the run-off or winning an unused section rerun.

- Observed Trials Scoring. The checker or observer, delegated by
the Event Director, will be the maximum authority in the section.
In the case of more checkers at the same section, they will perform
as helpers to the delegated checker.

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## How do I get penalty points?

**Performing the section with no dabs** (clean
section)
0 points

**Over the prescribed time limit**
5 points

**1st dab**
1 point

**2nd dab **
2 points

**3rd dab **
3 points

**4th dab **
3 points

**5 or more dabs **
5 points

**2 dabs at the same time **

foot & foot
foot & hand
foot & shoulder
knee & hand
hand & hand
etc.

Note: touching will be allowed, leaning not.
5 points

**Leaning handlebar on the ground, tree or wall,
etc.**
1 point

**Touching the hand to any object**

(other than oneself or bicycle)
5 points

**Other Penalties**
 

**Any help from end toes and heels**
1 point

**Outside the limits of section with either tire**
5 points

**Dabbing outside the section limits**
1 point

**Breaking the ribbon, knocking down marker**
5 points

**Two dabs on same side of bicycle**
5 points

**One foot crossing the longitudinal line of the
bike while one foot is on the ground**
5 points

**Sliding one foot on the ground**
3 points

**Resting with pedal/skidplate** (not toe clip)

**okay for 3 seconds, after that**
5 points

**Rider modifies the section**
10 points

**Losing score card**
DQ

**Gate foul**
5 points

**Pre-riding the course**
100 points

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## How long do I have to complete a section?

An event time limit should be established. All sections will close at
the end of the time limit and all score cards will be turned in by the
end of the time limit. Additionally, there will be a section time limit
that is set by the Event Director. The section time limit will remain
constant for each section. The recommended time limit is 180 seconds. (BikeTrials.com note: Generally Pro class has 2 minutes, Expert has 3 minutes, while Sport and Beginner are often not timed or 3 minutes)
The time will start when the rider's front axle passes through the start
gate and ends when the rider's front axle passes through the exit gate.
Each checker or checker assistant should be equipped with a stop watch.
The checker or checker assistant should advise the rider when there
is one minute left, 30 seconds left and 15 seconds left.

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## What are the requirements for my bike?

Any bicycle that is determined by the event director to be dangerous
will not be admitted to the event.

*Stock Bike Class.* This is for all riders on traditional unmodified
mountain bikes with a minimum 40" wheelbase, functional rear derailleur
with five or more gears, no skid plate, no more than 10 1/2" chainring clearance
and chainrings on one side of bottom bracket only and a minimum of 26"
front wheel and 24" rear wheel. A typical stock bike section might require
the rider to negotiate tight turns on level ground, logs under 8", hills
with questionable traction and drop-offs of less than two feet. Stock
bike sections designed for riders with Beginner to Sport skill serve
as an orientation to the flagging system and bike handling skills used
in observed trials.

Any bicycle that is determined by the event director to be dangerous will not be admitted to the event.

*Trials Bike Class.* This is for competitors with modified bikes,
minimum 20" wheels, brakes on each wheel, propelled by a pedal crank
system. Trials bike sections can have turns that are tighter than the
turning radius of most bikes, unlimited logs or rocks, with vertical
faces, drop-offs, double logs plus all combinations of any type of surface
traction.

During competition a rider may repair or replace the bicycle between
sections. If a rider replaces the bicycle it must be of the same type
and must be approved by the Event Director.

If a rider is competing in both stock and modified classes in the same
competition, the rider must choose to complete one class or the other
first. The rider must then do the entire competition for that class
before starting the next class.

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## Glossary of Observed Trials definitions

*Clean Section* - No errors, or dabs.

*Course* - The observed trials area within, and including, the
boundary markers, ribbons or flags. A rider is in the section when the
front axle passes through the start gate and is finished with the section
when the front axle passes through the finish gate.

*Dab* - Any contact which provides support for the rider (other
than pedal or skid plate).

*Outside the Section* - Either tire or axle passing outside the
ribbon and flags, dabbing outside is one point.

*Gate Foul* - Not riding the sections in the proper order, not
following the proper course markings, or entering or exiting the wrong
gate.

*Section* - A single segment of the observed trials competition.
There can be any number of sections at any given observed trials competition,
but the typical number is between five and ten. Sections should be of
a natural and artificial mix, varying in length, difficulty and type
of obstacles. Each section will test the skills of a rider in balance,
strength, agility and endurance. The section should have a minimum width
of 1 meter. Course boundary markers or ribbons should be between 4"
and 18" from the ground. The ribbons marking section limits on the right
should be red and on the left should be blue. Sections are marked according
to class and category. A rider may begin at any section (unless specified
otherwise) but once started must complete the course in order.

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Last reviewed July 2026.