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:		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.
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		2004 Veritas Beginner Mod Trials Bike
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.		2003 Zoo Boa Stock Trials Bike

International competition: the world stage

The classes above describe grassroots and national events — but bike trials is also a world sport with a full international calendar. Two federations govern it globally: the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), which has run the UCI Trials World Championships since 1986 and a World Cup series since 2000, and the Biketrial International Union (BIU), a trials-only body founded in 1992. Both crown world champions in the 20-inch and 26-inch classes, supported by continental titles such as the UEC European Championships and a deep network of national series. See how it fits together in Governing bodies: UCI & BIU, follow the latest competition results, or meet the sport's all-time champions.