Originally Posted by dutret

Do you really have balance issues that are solved by speed moderation in your normal riding. I don't and low speed fg balance and wheelie balance isn't about weight shifting its about using the pedals and steering to keep the bike upright without spinning wheels. Everything improves reflexes. So yeah maybe you'll get to be a slightly better rider but you aren't really building the high speed handling, gap judging, vehicle awareness or any other core urban riding skills you use on a daily basis.

Compare that to mountain biking where the skills you learn in urban and trials are directly used later on the trails. Sure I may never encounter a picnic table in the middle of a trail or a large set of stairs but getting over a couple of logs or down a weird drop uses the exact same skills. Practicing on the table means that I can get over the log safely at 20mph gasping for air with a heart rate over 190. Same goes for the stairs the comfort I've built up as well as knowing how far I can go means that when I come on some 3' drop with a log at the bottom I can instantly hop over then mess as opposed to slamming on the brakes and praying for the best. With the exception of actual "tricks" riding urban and trials directly builds the skills you need for other mtb disciplines. In fact I will go so far as to say that there is little a novice rider can do that will increase their ability to deal with obstacles faster then going and ****ing around in a park or somewhere one or two afternoons a week.