The Martins started out on rockhoppers didn't they?
BITD all my riding buddies rode a bit of trials, it was something to do when we couldn't get out for a full ride. Fitted a massive purple rock ring to my xc bike and away we went. Never could master the back hop for more than a couple of hops but my front wheel hops were pretty good, had some wicked endo variations as well including a no-handed version with my knees on the bars.