We live in an incredible world…a place where no matter what type of Trials riding you want to do, there’s an option to have a purpose-built bike shipped to your door within a few days. When I started riding, you could either get a competition bike, or make your own out of a dual slalom frame (still a solid option, honestly).

Before we dive into the wheel size options, I think the key point is to decide what style of riding you prefer. Both your riding background and your aspirations.

If you come from a BMX background, or you want to do trials “tricks” and care about style, I would highly recommend a Street Trials bike.

If you come from a mountain bike background, or you want to see how high or far you can jump - you want to reach your absolute maximum ability in trials, I would recommend a Competition Trials bike.

This is the first main filter to pass through when it comes to determining the right bike. Up next, let’s talk about wheel size.

Regardless of competition or street, the size of your wheels is typically related to your height. Typically, smaller riders will run smaller wheels, so the bike is easier to throw around. Sometimes you’ll see a giant rider on 20” wheels (like Benito Ros), but usually the bigger bikes give you more reach and room to move around. This is especially true for Competition Trials bikes.

On Street Trials, the 26” wheel bikes are usually more “Trials” than “Street” on the overall Street Trials spectrum. The riders that choose 26” are usually riding more of a crossover comp/street style. Riders who choose 24” wheels are typically riding the more pure street style - and those are the easiest wheels to adapt to if you came from BMX.

Here’s a video that goes even deeper into the decision making process of finding the right trials bike for you: