Mountain Biking - Importance of Trials skills?

What are the importance of trials skills (front and rear wheel pivots, sidehops, trackstands, etc) when you're out on the trail? Obviously the wheelie and bunny hop are important, but what about the other trials skills? The reason I ask is because that's all I have been able to practice lately due to the snow.

-Jack

Bike handing skills are always important, like you said bunny hops and manuals and trackstands give you the ability to scope your line before you drop in.

The level of importance is directly related to how often you plan on using those skills in your own riding. It is up to you, really.

IMO, anything that would hone your sense of balance and tune you to the subtle weighting/center of gravity nuances of your particular bike are valuable to practice, whether you actually use those moves on a trail or not.

IMO, anything that would hone your sense of balance and tune you to the subtle weighting/center of gravity nuances of your particular bike are valuable to practice, whether you actually use those moves on a trail or not.

I agree 100% but was unable to state same so eloquently.

I don't know about you guys, but I spent a lot of time trying trials. I got far enough to learn rear wheel hops and lurches but I haven't noticed any improvement on the trails beyond bunny hopping.

I agree 100% but was unable to state same so eloquently.

:twitchy: .......huh??????

trackstands and bunnyhops seem to be the most valuable. trackstands carry over well onto the trail and even on the road during commutes, at stoplights, etc. Pedal ups and pedal hops might do well on the trails, but the normally raised seat position combined with the bike geometry and weight usually make it more difficult....and possibly more painful!