Ockerstrom wrote:Easy stuff is where I want to start.
I like to keep working progressively to improve my skills... with anything I do.
The feedback is great jml, thank you.
I really do need to get on a bike or two to try, and source something to buy.
Now I well expand the range of what I consider though.... a $4k to $5k budget might almost be achievable, so that should let me find something reasonable I think.
No problems at all
Definately bringing that mentality to trials will be helpful as it strongly relies on building on those base skills before progressing. Starting from scratch with easy stuff is a great way to learn the craft without being thrown into the deep end. From my point of view there is a very large jump between Clubman and C-grade, where C-grade heavily relies on mastery of Clubman skills and adds more vertical challenges and having to navigate gates. Clubman riders are free to select their own line inside the boundaries of the section so you don't get bogged down with having to so much remember the course, but just ride and get use to the bike and the smaller hazards that are long your selected line. In saying that it's definitely not impossible to jump straight to C-grade, but for myself I don't feel like I have the toolkit of skills at the moment to really enjoy the riding without a lot of tyre spinning, dabbing and bouncing off of rocks thus I'll stay in clubman for as long as it takes to get those skills.
$4-5k was my budget and I ended up finding a bike for $4.1k (including freight from QLD->NSW) and spending around another 500-600 on gear. Just remember to factor in a few extras like Trials gloves, open face helmet, trials boots and a lanyard kill switch (if the bike isn't fitted with one). These are some of the things that just make life easier for a new riders as having the wrong gear can sometimes adversely affect your riding experience and ability to improve (for instance: MX boots give little feel, flexibility and have absolutely no grip on slippy rocks) so make sure you leave a little wiggle room on the budget to grab these essentials.
In regards to jumping on a bike I'd definately reiterate the
http://www.trialsacademy.com.au/ whos next course is in 20 days at Pacific Park (South Maroota). It's 4-5 hours of riding which gives you a gentle splash into the sport by some of the best riders in this area. You start with a series of drills which take you through the core skills of the sport, then out into the forest for some basic "putting it all together". Was an awesome day the only thing that was a let down was my fitness!
Obviously there is a price involved but it's going to give you the longest amount of time to get a feel for the trials bike itself, much longer than a 5-min test ride of a bike before deciding if it's really for you. Best $350, it's such a shame that other sports don't have a similar "experience" to know if your really going to enjoy the sport.