Getting Started
We offer information and resources to begin your trials journey. There is a bit of a learning curve, but anyone can learn to ride trials. It just takes time and practice, but you can learn at your own pace. If you’re thinking about giving trials a try, make sure you read our guide to getting started with trials riding.
Step 1: Make a Decision (to Ride Trials)
It’s probably obvious, but the first step is making a decision to give trials a shot. It’s not easy, but it’s absolutely worth it. Trials is all about the challenge, whether you’re riding to improve your bike handling skills, compete, entertain, or just have some fun. Overcoming challenges – doing something hard – is what makes trials biking so rewarding! One of the beautiful things about trials is that progression is infinite. You can challenge yourself at any skill level or age. Whether simply standing in place on the bike (a.k.a., “trackstanding”) for longer than before, beating your personal best for sidehop height, completing a difficult line, winning a competition – whatever it is for you – there’s nothing like the feeling of satisfaction and reward for achieving something difficult. The harder it is and the more work it takes to accomplish, the more intense the reward.
To get more perspectives on why people ride trials, check out our What Is The Point of Bike Trials? video and read some of our rider interviews.
Step 2: Get Access to a Bike (Any Bike!)
To start riding trials, you do not need a trials bike. Start with whatever bike you have. As discussed in the next step, you’ll start with basic skills that do not require special bikes. Unless you’re fully committed to riding trials, you might not want to spend the money on a new bike. Some people ride trials on their mountain bikes. If you’re committed to trials and want to get a trials bike – go for it! Just realize it’s not necessary to get started.
If you’re interested in the trials bikes I own, you can read about the bikes, setup, and my perspectives on each.
Step 3: Start With The Fundamentals
Most people see trials and immediately want to start hopping around on their rear wheel and doing footjam whips. Those are great aspirations, but you’re not going to start there. Start by sticking to two wheels and learning the most basic move; the trackstand. Practice it every chance you get. This is the fundamental skill required to unlock just about everything else.
I highly recommend finding some online tutorial videos like this one that resonate with you for learning basic moves. I’ve created a playlist of tutorial videos I’ve enjoyed – you might want to do the same for your own personal use. Watch the videos repeatedly to study how the rider’s body moves on the bike. I also recommend Your Complete Guide to Trials Riding and the TrashZen companion website. These describe moves in detail, and can support your learning.
Step 4: Ride Your Bike!
You can’t learn to ride trials by just watching videos and reading books. You need to ride. Everything in trials requires learning by doing. Go study the videos, read the books, get information on trials forums – then ride. Experiment. FEEL it. After practicing, go back and re-watch/re-read tutorials to compare your experiences to the “how to” information from experts. Repeat the process.
One of the great things about trials riding is you can ride anywhere. Even just a simple curb can provide plenty of opportunities. You can even practice trackstands in your living room if the weather is rotten.
Make sure to use both dedicated practice sessions as well as riding for fun. Both will help you learn.
Step 5: Connect With The Trials Community
While you can certainly learn to ride trials by yourself, connecting with other riders can accelerate your progress. Riding with other trials riders is great if you have that option. Whether you do or don’t, however, there are plenty of online resources with people eager to help beginners learn the sport. And it’s a lot of fun! We list some community resources on our guide to getting started with trials riding.
Step 6: Keep Progressing Your Skills
Continue to learn new trials skills using some of the previously mentioned resources. Spend time on your bike. Make up challenge lines to put your skills to practical use. Learn new tricks. Celebrate your successes!
Step 7: Buy a Trials Bike
If you decide trials is definitely your thing, you’ll probably want to buy a trials bike at some point. First, consider what style of riding you want to focus on – do you want to ride natural terrain, compete, do bunny hops and footjam whips, do massive hops and drops? Knowing what you want will drive your decision on what type of bike to purchase. The SuperRider channel has some tips on deciding which type of trials bike and which size to buy.
Additional Reading
Check out our latest posts with information, tips, and perspectives related to getting started:
- All About Bike Trials Video Explainer Series Jan 1, 2026I created an explainer video series targeted towards non-trials rider and beginners. The objective is to cover a number of the fundamental aspects of bike trials to help non-riders understand the sport and to help new riders to get started.Read more...
