Off-road by Jonathan Pearson
TRIALS IS A relaxed, cheap and cheerful sport and trials bikes are the cheapest off-road bikes you can buy. Start looking for bikes built in the 1990s. They hit that £1000 bracket while anything older is becoming sort after and consequently prices are increasing. Steer away from knackered grips, broken levers, bent foot pegs and the like – that owner hasn’t cared for it. But you don’t need a minter: an old-ish rider selling a used bike from a muddy part of the UK (rocky parts means scruffier bikes) is a better buy. Trials bikes are simple so transforming a tired used buy with fresh chasis bearings, chain and sprockets, throttle and clutch cables is a relatively simple undertaking. And the cost: replacing the engine oil, and fitting new grips is going to be around 100 quid. Expect to pay another £150 with tyres. And remember: if it’s ‘in good working order’ and ‘starts first or second kick’ chances are it’ll work for years. And be aware that most won’t be road registered. Jon Pearson. Bike’s off-road guru, and nine times Scottish Six Days Trial contender can’t resist a cheap trials bike.