Why Do Trials Bikes Look Like This? | Jack Carthy Pro Bike Check

Some of the biggest mountain bike superstars are trials riders! Danny MacAskill, Fabio Wibmer, and Hans Rey, but their riding is very different to that of a modern-day UCI competition trials rider. In this video Doddy and Trials legend Martyn Ashton check out 10X UCI World Champion gold medalist Jack Carthy's specialist bike.
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[@gmbntech]

How rad are modern trials bikes!? What can be achieved on them is truly mind blowing, making trials one of the most far reaching and impressive cornerstones of mountain biking!

[@Paganiproductions84]

I have seen Kenny Bailey some years ago very impressive in real life

[@MYGAME-vn9ev]

i saw in 2002 the same geometry trial bikes. without hydraulics and carbon of corse.

[@fourutubez7294]

I can listen to Martyn talk about trials for hours and listen to Doddy on tecg for just as long.

[@gmbntech]

Great isn't it! We're aiming to bring you a bit more of this in the new year 👍

[@3dflyer87]

I couldn't agree more!! 🤘🤘🤘

[@bildo99ify]

It is absolutely great to listen to Martyn about trials. His passion and knowledge are evident. Thank you, sir.

[@curtvaughan2836]

Nice vid. As an oldster (70,last I checked) I enjoyed some of the trips down memory lane Martin alluded to in regard to the prehistoric times of the 90's. I also like that you touched on the connections between current trials bikes and the old 20" bikes - the banana seat Sting Ray came to being when I was a teenager in the 60's, later evolving into standardization with the BMX bikes. It would be interesting to see your take on the history of the BMX bikes, and their standardization with both bike design and competitions among kids - and how that tradition connects to the evolution of mtb and the skills mtb requires (including specialized tangents like trials). Anyway, good show and good topic.

[@CuzzyWuzzy]

Amazing the progression from a mountain bike to a purpose built modern trials bike. I love it. Thanks for a great episode, love seeing how passionate Martyn is for trials.

[@gmbntech]

Glad you enjoy it Sam!

[@MYGAME-vn9ev]

i see in 2002 trials bike with the same geometry.

[@etienneschramm83]

When you spoke about "alternative" bikes to check, two in particular immediately jumped to mind: Cycle-ball and Artistic Cycling bikes. Both are extremely unusual, compared to any run-of-the-mill bike, they have one purpose and one purpose alone, and are optimized for their respective task.

[@a.sonetwo4547]

My heart is bleedin' when i see Martyn. It's so freakin' unfair 😖🤦🏻‍♂️👍🏻 I admire this guy

[@freedomcaller]

I had no clue he was paralyzed till I saw this video. I remember him from the road bike party videos, but didn't know much else.

[@Mardy72]

@@freedomcaller he injured himself filming the second road bike party video

[@caixiuying8901]

@@Mardy72 not even into trials or bikes (skater here) and that's heartbreaking man happy he stayed alive though I'd have a hard time continuing living if I lost my legs as a skater or my hands as a guitarist

[@Mardy72]

@@caixiuying8901 and he's still riding bro. He has these sick custom, full suspension trikes that he rides. It's awesome

[@s3rac]

Best bike check I've seen! Thanks for the deep-dive into trials, Doddy and Martyn. The clips of Jack were amazing on their own, but connecting the riding to the bike geometry and riding position was really brilliant.

[@danielleblanc5491]

Such a great video... And Martyn's passion and understanding of trials riding is one if not the best vids I've seen. A master class in understanding how geometry, brake, body positioning on top of axles etc No wonder he's a legend

[@gmbntech]

He's a wealth of knowledge and a real resource on the subject!

[@herethere2518]

Mountain biking for me has always been about riding a bike over challenging terrain with confidence (and a big smile), whether on trails through the woods or around the urban jungle. I would love to see you highlight all of the nooks and crannies of alternative-terrain bikes, from bikes specific for doing big-air tricks to all of the different flavors of bmx where some amazing (alt)tech exists. Heck, I wouldn't mind snippets about bikes for oddball team sports or even those synchronized bike/dance choreography teams!! Love the fringes of where the bicycle takes us :)

[@mazo691]

The layout and scope of this episode are excellent! I learned a lot both from the narration and video. This is good work, thank you and Happy New Year!

[@moz6629]

Simply the combination of Ashton talking while someone else is riding trials next to him is giving me unbelievable Tricks n Stunts nostalgia. Chainspotting still being the OG.

[@bicyclist2]

I remember watching trials riders at a northern Michigan ski resort in the late 80's. I'm a huge fan of Hans Ray. I'm very grateful that he brought trials riding to the US. I used to have a purple GT mountain bike, and tried doing some trials on it. It's really amazing how the bikes have evolved over time. I've always wanted to be able to do what trials riders can do. Trials skills apply to the very twisty technical mountain bike trails in northern Michigan. Trails skills can apply to other cycling disciplines. I remember in the late 90's and 2000's we used to see ceramic coated rims. Thank you.

[@metaltrashcan]

Wow nice! Would be cool to see the GMBN team to do a trials ride/ lesson under the supervision of Martyn. Also, perhaps and idea to get Ali Clarkson, Duncan Shaw and Danny Macaskill on the channel for a few videos? Their riding and bikes are as impressive but a bit more relatable to normal mtb'ers.

[@manoz6194]

Wow, this is fascinating. Loved the transitions from the studio to the demonstration.

[@greenfefo_fpv465]

Thank you thank you THANK YOU! GMBN for spotlighting Trials. This beautiful sport needs more people 😄

[@mithc]

Great video! Like many others have said, I really enjoy hearing Martyn talk so passionately about trials. What a legend

[@justinschultz4325]

More trials content please! Also - shout out to Doddy's Jean shorts during winter!

[@sixtring73]

Incredible stuff! Would like to see a dirt jump bike check!

[@cendaracing]

This was an absolutely amazing video. That interesting interview, seeing Jack's bike riding skills, I never cease to be amazed. Jack's bike is one heck of a rocket. 😀 I will definitely be happy for more videos from the world of bike trial. 👍

[@Abrikosmanden]

This was an amazingly good walkthrough of what Trials Bikes are about! Well done!

[@rickdeloub983]

Thank you Martin explaining about latest trials mtb I have a raceline rhino 20inch still have tricks and stunts on vhs I enjoy watching all forms of trials for motorcycles mtb

[@pirate_duck4985]

This was such an awesome video to watch! Having Martyn explaining everything, talking about his time riding trials. I'll say this there's gunna be a ton of comments saying how he inspired us all!

[@petit_ecureuil_malin]

you said it guys, looks just amazing and even sometimes to simple watching Jack riding... the amount of control he has is mind blowing

[@davidmichie1449]

I've finally got round to watching this. One of, if not THE best thing I've seen all year. Thanks for making this. 😁

[@BowkerAero]

Cool video. I loved watching trials when I was a kid. We even had the Hans Rey VHS.

[@kel5944]

I recommend watching Ali Clarkson. He rides trials well and he builds some interesting bikes. He rides with Danny MacAskill.

[@DieterVanHolder]

I loved the subject and everything with Martyn and Doddy is worth a watch

[@gmbntech]

It's always interesting to talk about trials! From a tech and setup perspective, they're so interesting!

[@simonlinser8286]

man mcaskill is insane. i would love to be able to do that stuff. looks really freeing i never ever noticed how high up the bottom bracket is! it makes way more sense now. i ride a bmx 26 inch, and i can get over little boulders and such but this makes way more sense

[@jasonrollo]

I could listen to Martyn talk trials as long as I could watch Jack ride trials

[@marksullivan4252]

Great to see a trials bike on there. Especially seeing how much the tech has improved since the early days. Would be great to see a similar review of one of Martyn’s old bikes to compare that advancement in technology! Also would love to see a similar for the street trials which can highlight the subtle differences. Another super interesting bike to see the tech is the adaptive bikes too, they are brilliantly innovative pieces of kit

[@mleavitt787]

A comp trials bike is for efficiency and speed, a street trials bike is for style and flow. I love that trials is getting some more exposure! Not enough people ride, and it’s not actually super hard to learn. Keep up the videos!

[@onespeedbicycles]

A future episode where GMBN experience riding a trials bike? Was looking forward to seeing Doddy ride it, but great video nonetheless!

[@talldarkrandom3170]

Jack is unbelievable. Martyn got it right. He makes it looks so easy but that's what greatness is. Making the impossible look possible. It still annoys me that he has won so many world championships but we don't celebrate him like we should.

[@allanfoster6965]

One of the best, informative vids by this channel. Learnt a lot. But the skill level! Astronomical! 👍👍👏👏👏👏

[@ilanpi]

I saw Ot Pi with the 1988 UCI trials championships at Mammoth Mountain. He convincingly beat Hans Rey. They were on 20" wheels.

[@undiggit]

great video! Also love how you guys use often DnB tunes in your clips!!!

[@paulwatterson1688]

Martyn is a Legend! Great to hear more about bicycle Trials on GMBN. I used to ride schoolboy motorbike trials and remember the first time I saw Ot Pi doing a cycle trials demo at the Sheffield Arena trial. Just amazing!

[@gmbntech]

We're jealous of anyone who's seen Ot Pi riding in person!

[@thgrs8166]

@@gmbntech I think you should do a video with him or about him.

[@insanepolarbear]

Really loved hearing Martyn explain why the trials bike is designed the way it is.

[@timp2751]

Long front, short rear also helps leverage as i understand it? Not just a physical reach thing but also makes higher bunnyhops possible for the same strength input.

[@mm7wabanamateurradiowomble30]

@gmbntech Surely the time has come for Martyn to teach the GMBN team about trials and lay down a presenter trials challenge with proper trials bikes :-) GO ON You know You would have a whole bunch of fun !

[@tees_trials]

What a lovely Christmas cracker! Trials has been going a bit unnoticed of late, what say you? let’s see Glasgow ‘23 put that right! Woop!

[@komoonkh]

I remember those old 20inch Monty bikes that everybody rode back in the time. Neon green Magura brakes and you would put asphalt on your rims to increase the bite. 😅

[@niceguy191]

That pogo stick criticism has been around for awhile. Back in the day Ryan Leech made Manifesto to show trials without all the little extra hops. Worth a watch if you can find it.

[@Chader9]

Yeah, Leech and his direction tie closely to the basic street trials approach of linking and flow between obstacles. Pure competition excludes "style" as any part of the scoring, so the emphasis is on the most efficient method to get over/across obstacles. A bit like the difference between street & dirt jump BMX that focus on style where BMX racing is all about A to B speed. It comes down to the focus of the discipline. That said, the play riding by Jack in this video shows he has a creative and flowy style in hand when clearing gates is not the goal.

[@guitaroidman524]

Yeah, some people criticise the hops and worship Ryan Leech, but he was never a world champion so I don't know what the fuss is about.

[@aaron.biketrials]

Manifesto and dirty tricks and cunning stunts where the two videos they got me into biketrials.

[@leonbond9275]

Jack's riding, control, skill and speed are a beautiful thing to watch. Enjoyed this video a lot!

[@midwestunicycle]

You guys should do a video about the different disciplines in unicycling world like muni, trials, street, distance and flatland

[@scottmh96]

Please do the street trials bikes next because I always just thought they were rigid jump bikes

[@bigdaddysuperstrut]

Ten time champion! Amazing. When I first saw anyone doing "trials" was "NO WAY HANS REY!", video. I tried it. Never thought it would evolve into this.

[@wylnd]

Very nice to see some good spots in Bristol being put to use in a fresh way

[@danielmonaghan5185]

On of the best shows ever. Thanks

[@mikkopulkkinen751]

This was very interesting. Thanks, more stuff like this please.

[@juanw618]

Could you do another break down on a mod bike? With Charlie Rolls?

[@sportenapfeltorten2095]

VERY cool video. Now I want some trials rider in a collab with storror or some other parcour-people. I feel like they can make use of the same spots.

[@KHos73]

Jack is the complete package for trials, he is amazing! Also fitness plays a big part in the sport now I think.

[@yvan2218]

Would recommend first time trials viewers to go check out Ali Clarkson's channel, he does a lot of trials related content and bike builds too!

[@bryans3287]

Bumped into Hans Rey at Inner bike in vagas back in 06, got a Signed poster .way cool guy . Ryan leech was there . Eric Carter had a appearance . Rey was taking people out on group rides up bootlegg Canyon .

[@Sunspot-19]

Late to the party however, having had my KOXX Red Sky since ~2008, I love the bike's ability to maneuver in a catlike manner. The feeling of less effort to scale obstacles is mindblowing. Off piste has never been as glorious on anything less than a trials comp purebred. High BB? The Red Sky is a +35mm bb, today's comp bikes are as high as +120mm My mountain bike is a -25mm custom HT. For my FS, no load BB is +25mm, loaded 0mm. Cause dirt play is required!!

[@The1trueDave]

One thing I've often wondered - do UCI regulations still dictate a 'diamond' frame? Otherwise it seems they almost may as well do away with separate top and down tubes and build the frames as a single beam...

[@Chader9]

From what I read, the frame design is largely open, no double-diamond restriction. "The bicycle's frame must be of sufficient strength to withstand the rigors of Trials riding and be devoid of any cracked or bent frame members or welds which are cracked or otherwise deficient."

[@guitaroidman524]

Look at the Ozonys Curve frames, I've got the v9.

[@madjh8]

Small weels are fun ... and will be always there. Many has forgotten the 24" for street, but they are still the best for the job and for big funn in bike parks or some fun stuf ... Mullet 27.5-26 in modern 27.5 frame because it is easy in small than in big. It is not about rolling fast it is abut having fun.

[@lucywucyyy]

i really wish trials would come back to mountain biking, i really want a mountain bike with trialsy geometry but they just havnt existed since the 90s

[@mb2776]

9:25 If u pause the video at that point, u can clearly see why the stem is so long and why the handlebars are shaped this way :)

[@TubeAddict999]

Really great video. Love this. Thank you.

[@joepecker]

A how to guide on which components to change for a 26in DJ bike to make it something like a trial bike would come in handy!

[@raycath0de]

easier gear ratio and longer stem and just go send it

[@DeepOwl1073]

I agree, just send it and replace parts that break with beefier parts. DJ rims should be plenty strong. Might upgrade brakes and get a rigid fork.

[@guitaroidman524]

Watch Ali Clarkson, he built a DJ for trials and I watched him ride it at one of the trial comps last year.

[@milkncheese1]

Can't beat the old skool monty t219 with a set of hs33 and triple clamp ridged forks. These new bikes are absolutely incredible no doubt but man the monty was just something else at the time. Lovely to see this sport get some spot light time. Its truly amazing and fantastic for balancing and technical skill training, whilst really making the brain think fast. Bugger I now feel a need to buy a trials bike again. Lol

[@gibboj]

nice vid lad`s . if i could do that id be out every day SHOWING of , people love trial`s rider`s doing there stuff

[@-TheRealChris]

One of the best vids you have ever done, loved it!

[@gmbntech]

Glad you enjoyed it Chris!

[@1mlister]

Those jumps look like something from a video game

[@jacksson9391]

Cool.....those bars though, I couldn't roll around with them that far forward. Kids did that on muscle bikes in the 60's and it's like swinging your bars around rather than turning. I had a hard time riding like that, I notice your grips are only marginally in front of your axle.

[@nixonkutz3018]

"What's more stock than a mod bike? And what's more modded than a stock bike?" In the 90s, "mod bikes" were purpose-built 20" single-speed fat-tire trials bikes; "stock bikes" for trials started with a hardtail mtb frame (like 15" seat tube), then you added brake boosters, replaced the big ring with a thick bash ring, shortened the chain (but left the rear deraillieur) so that you could only use one gear. Competitions were held on the same course, but different classes for each type of bike.

[@noelbodle8863]

It’s amazing how much it has changed since riding my Monty way back in the 90s. Absolute loved trials back in the day and still love watching it now the progression in riding style is just amazing. I would still be doing it if it was not for my back. I bet that bike is amazing to ride though and great to see some trials on GMBN !

[@lorenzomugnaini9573]

Perfect video, I love it. Thank you

[@peetiegonzalez1845]

Danny MacAskill "not even good" OK shots fired. Now I have to watch the video.

[@micemr76]

As a kid from the 80s who came up loving bmx. Had me a gt pro performer and thought I was the shit, but damn the tech has come a long way

[@phoebediehl]

badass looking bike with funky handlebars!

[@aaron.biketrials]

This really didn’t do Jacks riding any justice. Great breakdown of modern biketrials!

[@allwinds3786]

My friends and I did trials riding in the late '70's, before it was called anything. I rode a Religh Record, he a Schwinn varsity,

[@tycefraser7891]

Super informative!

[@gmbntech]

Glad it was helpful, Tyce! 👊

[@mattgies]

I thought the reason for the front freewheel was to make the center of mass closer to the center of the bike? Lower Moment of Inertia and thus less effort to change direction.

[@Ali_Clarkson]

yes, there's lots of reasons, Martyn was right that it did allow riders to use a smaller front sprocket when the only other option was a 22T MTB crank but you're also right that it does remove weight from the rear wheel making it easier to make micro adjustments and help accuracy. The other reason was that hubs and freewheels weren't exactly reliable back in the day and having a spare crank/freewheel was much smaller and easier to carry as a spare over a whole rear wheel.

[@mattgies]

@@Ali_Clarkson Thanks! Come to think of it, I probably learned that from one of your videos.

[@shermer75]

Amazing! Loved that!!

[@guy4167]

So good! Love this content

[@2Swift4u]

great video! Like it's was mentioned in the video personally I have to say that even for me who rides trials these modern day competition bikes look a bit too much like a pogo stick when ridden by the pros. I wonder whether that might hurt the sport a bit because it doesn't really look like riding a bike anymore. I know it's just a logical development from the bikes we used to have back in the day but maybe this is part of the reason why Danny, Fabio etc. are famous and the trials guys are not!? Because to normal people it looks like Danny is actually riding a fairly normal bike.

[@gmbntech]

Great point! You may well be on to something there... Although production value helps to boost those guys' profiles. Not small tasks those edits!

[@PaulKentSkates]

Jack not being a household name makes me low key mad.

[@lordvaderbossofdoom3960]

Doddy to Jack, giant to giant

[@adrian_veidt]

The GCN road bike party is lit and what introduced me to Martyn, Danny and Sam Pilgrim. Trials using Road bikes 👌👌

[@vernerjuliussen2071]

Can one use MT7 handles on the Magura hydro V-brakes?? See Magura sell them as a kit with 3-fingers (old looking) levers.

[@guitaroidman524]

No, hydro rim levers are specific for rim brakes. They have massive 14mm pistons unlike the 8-9mm pistons in disc brake levers.

[@vernerjuliussen2071]

@@guitaroidman524 thx. Always good to know, before you try. 😁👍

[@bobothericefarmer1878]

Oooo that makes sense now

[@photobooksandrecords]

fascinating!

[@E-MTBs]

That is sick!

[@felixjones9198]

I used to ride (non competitive) trials on my Klein Attitude- full rigid, 26 inch wheels with XTR rim brakes. I'm still trying to track down that bike. It was stolen by a girl called Angela Kennedy who then sold it to someone who's name I don't know. I'll pay $1000 for the return of that bike. Edit Angela lived in either Oxford or Reading, I don't know where she sold it. The bike was red over gold.

[@Paganiproductions84]

The front end looks like a very oldschool xc hardtail

[@spiritzweispirit1st638]

Finally' Something an Electric 'Cant Do Better!, 😶🖖 Thank you! Great Video and Edits!

[@Ghost812many]

Suggestion... Velodrome racing bikes.

[@Sanderly1820]

10x winner and the majority of the uk public don't know who this guy is, wish the uk would actually televise these niche sports

[@madjh8]

And that Casio F91 in the left hand? What it is for?

[@Chader9]

As covered in the latter part of the video, it is his own timing device since there is a 2 minute limit for completing each section on the trials course. Riders can ask the course workers, but many riders prefer to have it in their own hands (bar). Language barriers for one thing can be an issue, but the delay between the ask/answer is also an issue.

[@johndef5075]

Even my early 90s mtb stems weren't that long.

[@Lestat1795]

Function over form. OK. But the bars going out to the front look off.

[@skads2224]

I run a rear brake on my BMX cruiser, would it improve the breaking if I rough up the rear rim like this???

[@blitzroute66]

It would make it easier to lock the wheel but at the expense of ability to control braking strength. It makes the "bite" very strong

[@skads2224]

@@blitzroute66 Nothing better than doing skids!😄 Thanks mate!

[@guitaroidman524]

If you haven't already ground your rim, try some jitsie v pads from Tartybikes if you have v brakes.

[@unixd0rk]

I totally had that Casio watch in like 4th grade or something.

[@byrond123]

Is there any brand that sells decent trials bikes in the USA? I can't seem to find any that are not like $3k

[@Chader9]

Jitsie bikes as imported by Webcyclery and Trials Superstore have some bikes in the $1500+ range to start. The "Varial" line without the "Race" designation is the model line to check out.

[@mej6519]

tune check @0.53 please.