Riding
It’s foggy and wet out today and the snow piles are rapidly disappearing—glad I got out yesterday to ride trials on them, they make for some fantastic early season practice sessions. And early season it is, my trials muscels are sore. My mind is there but the body isn’t necessarily doing what I tell it!
I think snow piles are one of my favorite things to ride. Around my neighborhood, we had some diligent snow shovelers, so the piles were pretty solid and in all sorts of shapes. It is only after a lot of freeze/thawing that they become great riding obstacles though. It was actually quite warm yesterday, about 8 degrees, so the pile is still firm, but with some forgiveness on the surface, and surprisingly grippy. Anyway…
While on my California trip, I was visiting Mountain Bike Action, and shot photos for “Inside the Pros Bike” section. They took pictures and specs of both my Fluid LT, and my Manifesto trials bike. Turns out my trials bike weighed in at 28.5 pounds. Shouldn’t my bike be getting lighter as I get older?! So I figure I should put my bike on a diet—thing is I like a bike that is super durable so I don’t have any issues during the show and filming season. Hmmm.
Tags: manifesto, mountain bike action, Ryan Leech, trials bike, weight
February 6th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Hi Ryan !
it is really amazing !
How could you ride with something so heavy ?
Why do you ride with a front suspension ?
With a rear derailleur ?
A saddle ?
Do you train with a Norco Manifesto too ?
Or with a “real” trial bike ?(Koxx, Echo, etc.)
I am always stucked when you are riding on some stones or tree…
Thanks for your answer !
February 6th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I know I know, terrible weight issue eh! Since I don’t compete, I generally don’t worry about losing a inch or two of height on sidehops or bunnyhops due to a heavy bike. Nor do I worry about the loss of rear wheel control that comes with using a longer chainstay than is standard these days.
My primary motivation is to inspire cyclists/no cyclists alike through my shows and videos. If they see that I ride a super trick bike, they may think that is the only reason I can ride like I do; but if they see I’m on a bike that resembles a standard hardtail (supsension, derailleur, gears,saddle, etc) they may be able to relate and decide to give it a try. My hope is for more riders to give trials a try, once they get hooked, they’ll probably end up with a typical trials bike of time.
I am also more likely to receive magazine coverage and media attention with a “normal” looking bike, which thus goes toward my goal of exposing trials riding, and biking in general to the cycling world and beyond.
That being said, could still manage to drop the weight a bit!!
Have fun!
February 7th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Hi !
Thank for your honest answer.
You said “My primary motivation is to inspire cyclists/no cyclists alike through my shows and videos. If they see that I ride a super trick bike, they may think that is the only reason I can ride like I do;”
A friend of mine, who rides MTB (street), is always telling me “It would be nicer if you did it with a MTB”, after I succeed in a nice Trial trick, with my typical trial bike.
He thinks obviously that Trial does no more belong to mountain biking.
But he likes the way you ride.
I guess it comes out from your manifesto style (no set up and recovery hop).
Did you develop this style in order to reduce the style differences between Trial and other MTB disciplines ?
“My hope is for more riders to give trials a try,”.
After watching a couple of your videos, I started to ride trial. It was maybe 10 years ago …
About weight saving: take a look at the Wellgo MG-1 Ti pedals: good grip and less than 70 lbs.
Have a nice day !
February 8th, 2009 at 11:46 am
When does that issue of MBA come out? So i can take a look at the spects
February 9th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Hi Luke,
Often, the writers work a number of months ahead of schedule, so it could be three, four, or more months until it is on the news stands. I’m usually the last to know about these things!
Cheers….
February 13th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
hi ryan
i would like to no some thing about how i would get my name out there in this big bad world lol.
i have been trails riding for 2 month but i am good for only riding for 2 month if you would like a nother body to ride with you i would any day.
I was thinking about the people that would think woooooo ryan leech is riding with young people.
But thats up to you.
from nathan XD
February 15th, 2009 at 6:58 am
Ryan,
Could you share with us your bike set up. I would especially like to know what style and model brakes you use. I think I speak for many!
Thanks,
Brad
February 15th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Hey Ryan, how’s things?
Just wondering if you’ve ever considered going down the 24″ route at all. I’m assuming the 26″ keeps things a little more ‘normal’ for spectators, but perhaps for yourself as a second ride?
Hope all’s well your way,
Luke
June 25th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Hi Ryan,
ur bike tricks are ****** AMAZING….
I ride a specialized p2 and yea I cant do much tricks on it … its a bit heavy…around 30 lbs. I cant bunny hop on top of benches or anything like that….the weight really restricts me..Should I keep practicing on this or move on to a lighter one??
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Hello Ryan,
Since MBA magazine failed to show your trials bike and only showed your cross country bike (an error in judgment on their part I think) I would like to know what size stem and bars you use. I’ve been riding a Moment frame for four years now and I love the bike but have lately questioned my set up. I have a 110mm Thomson stem with 15 degree rise and Azonic bars with 2& 1/2″ rise. (And a Fox F80 RLT shock.)
Besides the fact that I started riding trials and this bike in my forties and am naturally a little slower to learn at that age perhaps I’m thinking that my set up might be less than ideal as well. Since you appear to be about the same size as I am (6′1″ 170ish) I thought your insight might help. I’m finally getting pedal kicks and starting to manual but it has taken a long time!
Specifically I’m thinking that lowering my front end (stem, bars) will make things easier.
I sure would appreciate your thoughts and wouldn’t mind trying your set up (which looks lower in front..)
Thanks so much!
Scott
November 20th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
My son has a Giant STP and is attempting to set it up similar to yours in “the art of trials”. He wishes to reduce the slack in the chain (as you showed) but was told that simply breaks a lot of derailleurs. Does this setup provide a lot of benefits or problems?
December 8th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Hey there Heath,
I haven’t had any issues with my tight chain on the trials bike. I do lock out the top couple cogs on my rear casette by adjusting the limits on my rear derailleur though.
The chain stays tighter and is less likely to fall off the front chainring, which can be dangerous, and there is less chain slap on the chainstays.
All the best!
Ryan
January 28th, 2010 at 11:07 am
hey ryan u are an awesum rider just wanted to know what made you get into trials riding cheers.