There is no better way to see another culture than by bike, though I am pretty sure UCI World Champion Trials rider Vincent Hermance and I don’t do it quite the same. Check out the challenging yet beautiful backdrops Vincent gracefully conquers along with a stop at the #hashtagg factory where his trials bikes are made…. to weld his own bike?
An OCD Production by Léo de La Châtaigneraie
I’m amazed that the best rider on earth is riding aluminium. Obviously it works but carbon would be lighter and stronger. But more surprising is that companies don’t force top riders onto them so they can actually sell a few. Obviously trials bikes aren’t sold in mass but there’s enough of a market for a selection of carbon bikes
Trials bikes take the kinds of hits that would destroy a carbon frame (rock edges to downtube?). To make a carbon layup withstand that would sacrifice all of it’s advantages. Aluminum is light, strong and cheap. Designs can be changed without scrapping $100k’s of carbon molds. I can see why there’s no carbon trials frames.
There have been a few carbon trials bikes over the years (usually home made), and Monty makes a full carbon mod trials bike (20″ wheels). In general though, trials bikes take a lot of hits, particularly the bottom of the downtube. enough to dent the shit out of steel and aluminum downtubes. But on the other hand, the market for trials bikes is really quite small. Also, the weights on top end trials bikes like his are well under 20 pounds, I’d bet maybe 18 pounds for that one. I don’t think you would do much better with carbon.
Carbon Monty: http://www.tartybikes.co.uk/images/custom/bikes20/large_montym5.jpg
