Well as the title says, got a great indoor skatepark not far from me and a few mates who still ride BMX, but I still prefer my MTB but like the idea of ripping up the skatepark especially over the winter when I may only get a hour or 2 free without ruining my Orange Five or looking silly by turning up on a full susser.
Anyone have any ideas where to look and what to look for on a trials bike? Maybe even build one myself all things considered but nothing silly expensive, probably used.
Thanks for any advice in advance
Would a dirt jump bike not make more sense for an indoor skatepark? I had a small DMR Trailstar and tried the indoor place in Liverpool. I enjoyed it, but there were far too many kids on scooters when I went!
I've not got a Calibre Astronut, but hardly used it since I got it last Christmas. I want to try and get out to more pumptracks, but there aren't many near me. Loads of used DJ bikes always popping up.
Yeah not sure how well a trials bike would go down at an indoor skate park. Might be worth checking with them before you buy it.
If you are thinking of riding with guys on BMX a trials bike will not be nice at a skate park. I have no experience of DJ bikes but suspect they will be magnitudes better.
#edit# unless you actually are looking to do "trials" in which case crack on.
What do you mean by ‘trials bike’? As in like the thing Danny McAskill shreds around on, or a proper 20”, foot long stem and no seat job?
@johnw1984 rampworx, yeah they love a scooter in there but if you can go during the day it’s not too bad. And there’s a pump track at Huyton leisure centre if that’s not too far from you, I’m barely 10 minutes from there myself
@uphillcursing @tomhoward ive honestly no idea, something I can do a bit of street riding on I guess rather than all crazy jumps as I don’t think my body now would allow me to take anything too heavy. But the Danny macaskill sort of bike rather than the scooter thing with big wheels yes.
Get a 24” or 26” wheel dirt jump bike with fast rolling tyres then, That will be the most versatile.
Yes it’s a TRAIL bike you want (as in BMX trails, which you can use 20” or 26” bikes, not MTB trails like bridleways and trail centres) not a TRIAL bike which is lots of hopping and jumping around objects.
A trail or dirt jumping bike basically has a small frame and short travel heavy duty forks, I would stick with single speed for a skatepark.
DMR have made ace DJ bikes for years. Their current one: https://www.dmrbikes.com/Catalogue/Bikes/Dirt-Jump/SECT-BIKE
You can get cheaper, especially second hand but get one someone has bought and not ridden, not ridden and wrecked!
Yeah Rampworx, that's the one! I'm an hour away from there, so it's not exactly local 🙂
If you wanted new, I'd really recommend the Astronut.
Loads of 2nd hand DJ bikes around. Got a DMR sidekick last year and love it.
Another option is a 24" bmx if you're against 20" wheels but whatever you get rigid forks or ones with a lockout will be best as soft forks will work against you in park ramps.
FWIW I went through a similar thought process as you recently but motivated in part by riding with my son. I ended up getting a 21" TT BMX and don't regret it. It feels twitchy for a bit but you soon dial into it and it's certainly the cheapest option for a park bike
Also, check out Ali Clarkson on YouTube. He does some park riding on a street trials bike
I've got a stock (26 inch wheel) trials bike and it's the last thing I'd want down the skate park. Unless you go down the route of something like an Inspired (similar to Danny Mac or Ali Clarkson) which is a bit shorter and more 'street' - even then it'd feel super nervous on a bowl or similar. Normally a trials bike has a long top tube, long stem and spends most of its time hopping about on the back wheel.
I would say get a BMX, yes it's really hard work if you're used to MTB's handling, but you soon adapt.
A dirtjump, or street bike would work, but you're trading maneuverability for stability, and adding stuff to break. BMX's are great because 20" wheels simply don't have the leverage to snap forks or bend rims.
And IME riding different bikes (anything from BMX, to CX to DH bikes) improves your technique as they all have similarities, but cover up different weakness. E.g. if you only ever rode a LLS DH bike with 29er wheels it would be easy to get lazy and let it do the work, actively riding it only gets you marginal gains. Spend some time on a BMX and you're working on a whole different set of muscle memories which will work on the big bike.
Thanks everyone, looks like I’m stuck between a bmx and dirt jumper by the look of things then, swinging a bit more towards a jumper but the park does bmx hire so I’ll probably have a few goes at that first before I take the plunge
I did something like this last year.
I built up a 26" Cotic BFe and fitted some very short and rigid forks to quicken the steering. I dropped the saddle and fitted a rear freewheel with lot's of engagement and a single speed.
I love riding it!
I take it down the local skatepark (when the kids on scooters aren't there) and generally just ride around practicing my tricks and skills. It's all good fun and didn't cost much.
+1 TINAS^
if you shop carefully you can pick up a decent used BMX for under £100. They're not the kind of things to be precious about anyway so provided they haven't been trashed, a bit of scratching is nothing.
If you hire a BMX to try then find out what the top tube length is, it's the main frame sizing dimension and makes a difference in handling feel, you may prefer a longer frame for a bit more stability. 21" is at the long end of standard but they do go longer
If you do want a TRIALS bike then I've an Ashton Justice 20" for sale:
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2597954/
They are great fun and will definitely improve skills but you wouldn't really want to jump it.
Good luck with whatever you choose to do 🙂
I've got a Calibre Astronut. I'm an average biker and wanted something to muck about on, trying to improve my skills and playing around at the local pump track.
For me, the calibre is great for this. Stock brakes are awful though so put some cheap shimano ones on.
When I see done at my local indoor skatepark on DJ bikes they get on well though the rythum section but on the general street course or quarter pipes tend to be a bit clunky / too big. I know someone will say X off YouTube doesn't have problems and this is true but X would not be asking a question like this.
I would say a BMX, 21+" TT make sure you don't slam the rear wheel for some added stability. Maybe a 22" or 24" if you want a little bigger.