Bike Trials

Mountain bike trials — often called observed trials — is a highly technical discipline where riders navigate a challenging obstacle course without letting a foot touch the ground. Born from motorcycle trials, the sport traces its origins to Catalonia, Spain, where the father of Ot Pi (who later became a world-champion moto-trials rider) encouraged his son to build skills by practising the same techniques on a standard bicycle. That simple idea became the foundation of an entirely new cycling discipline.

Trials riding is an intense test of balance, precision and bike control. Riders hop, pivot and manoeuvre over a huge variety of obstacles — logs, rocks, ledges, walls, pallets, or anything else course designers can dream up — both natural and man-made. While trials has a passionate following worldwide, it remains most deeply rooted in Europe. The skills developed in trials are incredibly useful for any form of riding: controlled braking, balance, track standing, wheel placement and slow-speed handling can make riders more confident and capable on road, MTB or BMX bikes.

Competition trials bikes are uniquely engineered for this purpose. They typically feature extremely powerful brakes, wide bars for extra leverage, lightweight components, single-speed drivetrains with very low gearing, low-pressure tyres (often with a thick rear tyre for grip) and distinctive frame geometry that prioritises balance and manoeuvrability. Most trials bikes also have no seat — nothing to get in the way when precise body movement is everything.

The RATS Cycling Club is proud to be the home of bike trials in South East Queensland. Our community has produced world-class talent, including Janine Jungfels, who in 2015 became the first Australian ever to win the UCI Trials World Championship. Janine has been named Australian Female Mountain Biker of the Year and Logan Sportswoman of the Year — achievements that continue to inspire riders throughout the region.

To find out more about trials at the RATS Cycling Club, contact our Trials Coordinator via CONTACT US.