Which is better? Mod or Stock?
Both mod and stock trials bikes have their own unique characteristics which make either one a good bike for trials. Competitions for modified bike are generally more difficult, as bigger moves can be pulled off with them, generally. I chose modified at the beginning because of the added safety while learning. There is so much standover room that it is difficult to hurt yourself by falling on the bike (I ride a Monty X-Lite mod). I also chose it because of it's durability and reliability. It is difficult to break things on a well-built mod bike, while a stock bike, you have a rear derailleur to kill, as well as bigger wheels which are easier to destroy if you do something stupid. Here are the pros and cons I can think of that will help you decide which is best for you.
Modified
Pros:
- Superb standover clearance = no fear of messing up and falling on top of your bike
- Easily manueverable in most every circumstance, especially anything rear wheel
- Less expensive
- Less parts to break
- Nearly impossible to taco a well-built 19" rear mod wheel running enough tire pressure
- Learn to sidehop up to both sides without worrying about a rear derailleur
Cons:
- Some people will think it's a BMX bike
- A pain to ride more than a mile or two on
- Harder to find parts for it (have to mail order most things besides tubes, chains, freewheels, and bottom brackets)
- Harder to roll down things
- Easier to go over the handlebars (but less scary when you do)
- Doing wedge or wheelbase moves is less comfortable
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2000 Monty 221 X-Lite (Mod)
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Stock
Pros:
- More stable
- Bigger wheels = roll everything easier
- Easier to do wedge or wheelbase moves
- Easier to pedal-kick on odd surfaces because of the larger diameter wheel
- You can ride to your riding spot easily (assuming you have a seat and working gears)
- Looks more like a mountain bike so others can relate to the sport somewhat easier
- People won't ask you to "grind" stuff or think you do BMX vert or street
Cons:
- Bigger bike = less standover clearance = pain if you fall on the bike
- Easy to hit knees on top-tube of most bikes (hasn't been a problem on my Monty stock)
- Less room to work with for bending down before sidehopping, bunnyhopping, etc. or when absorbing landings (hasn't been a problem on my Monty stock)
- More expensive because of greater frequency of breakage and more parts to break
- Rear derailleurs - you will replace these left and right as you smack them on things (actually, I smacked mine and only bent the replaceable derailleur hanger, the derailleur was fine...)
- Wheels - 26" size = easier to get out of true or taco (20" wheels are extremely hard to ruin when built and used properly) (haven't had a problem with this at all on my monty stock, built up well on a king hub and properly tensioned...)
- Chain can slip down or up a gear while you ride if your chain is too loose, or you smack your derailleur in section and break it
- Heavier (well, in almost all circumstances, although if you go nuts, you can get stocks pretty light... like 18 or 19 lbs, but don't expect your parts to last long if you do that!)
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2000 Monty 231 X-Lite (Stock)
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© 2000 Stephen Maeder
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