Jamie_Neal

Ratchet straps are great. We did a demo on Saturday - pics up tonight hopefully - and unfortunately we only had one ratchet strap but it was ideal as it allows the lay out to be changed quickly and easily. Phone up a skip company as most of the ones I tried were willing to lend a skip or two - unfortunately I didn't give them enough notice, maybe next time. As for the demo times and stuff, we didn't really bother but we still had plenty of people coming past to watch.

Impressive. Just out of interest is the top tube still srtaight or has that bent as well?

Its on tomorrow if anyones interested.

Good luck on recovering - ankles are pains. Since I broke and sprained mine my riding has got a bit smaller but I have just as much fun, if not more, with more technical stuff. Seen the Props DVD with him explaining and showing his knee operation? And he still went back to ride - now that is a love of the sport. Agree whole heartedly.

Great hubs. Prefered them over the XCs/Sports due to more engagement points but the ratchet rings do tend to wear out a bit faster as the teeth aren't as deep.

They were nice. Also 68g I think.

They are some swish hubs. Not convinced by the spokes threading into the hub - you'd be gutted if one pulled out, but I guess its been tried and tested. Go on, someone buy a pair. The road wheel sets look silly light.

Cool, managed to find a frame then? Thanks and shame you can't make it this year.

Echo pads instead of Magura

http://www.animal.co.uk/fe/htm/index/index.asp Go to events (latest) then bike tour.

Incase anyone is interested/not riding Bristol on the 1st of September (Saturday) we're doing a show in Singleton Park to try and raise supprt to get a concrete skate park built. If it rains on the Saturday, it'll be on the Sunday. There will be a temporary skate park, a set of dirt jumps and a trials demo. If you're interested have a look on www.streetsportsswansea.co.uk and there is a few photos from last year in the gallery (http://www.streetsportsswansea.co.uk/gallery.html). If you want to ride bring a bike and you can sign up on the day and ride (Parent/Guardian if under 18 and provided you wear a helmet). Jamie

I found them fairly good just don't give them too much abuse as they're not as strong as Fattys. No disc mount either but fine for Vs, etc. Jamie

Anyone remember Dave Hemming being sponsered by them? I thought they'd died a death. I could see the wire being put to better use on a trials bike for lightening not suspension - potentially replacing the seat tube (not sure how you'd overcome the torsion from the cranks).

Off topic I know but anyone know what bash guard he is running with those Deore cranks. I'm after a new/smaller bash to fit a pair of Saints - preferably something like the Cloud 9 one.

Nice work. The main advantage I've found since using a Monty splitter is it looks better. (Mount the splitter in front of the seat tube under the top tube and stlit from there - it looks a lot better and you don't need tape.) Set up wise, its worse as it takes longer to bleed. The pads do 'seem' to move more equally - whether this is actually the case I don't know. However to add to the discussion - in a standard Magura system wouldn't the piston closer to the lever be affected by the pressure change first when you pull the lever? If you ignore the friction side of things that is.

1. For some reason he does look short on it though - but 6' is not short. 2. Agree - I've seen 5'8" people riding 1100 bikes and they always look far too big for them. 3. Agree - I look stupid on a mod - I'm not saying I'd look any better on this but at least it would be long enough to ride.

That is one cool top cap! Definatly wouldn't trust his rims or brakes though but they look lovely.

Ok, fair point about most BBs on the market being 68/73mm. I was thinking more of what may/should come in the future. The Vario Styx uses a 100mm BB, many DH frames use 83mm BBs - why not more trials frames. Many manufacturers now use external bearings on their BBs, why not change the size of the shell altogether to something that clears the calipers/chainstays and fits the bearings inside? I know I'm thinking of an ideal world and that all the stuff we use has been adapted from standard stuff but if Echo and Shimano are prepared to develop externally bearinged BBs then why not change the size of the shell. Its not like there isn't enough trials specific stuff on the market already - a funny BB size shouldn't worry us. Basically, what I'm saying is what we are currently using is not up to the job in hand otherwise everyone would still be using square taper.

Yep. They could start using 100mm wide BB shells - then the cranks should clear.

From what I can remember there should be a load of decent rocks (usually manmade defences) there

Brake - HS33 with water bleed Pads - Koxx blue Rim - Planet-X BMF (DX 32) Grind - Light/worn Worked superbly since I put them on. Didn't regrind or even clean my rim when I put them on. Nice, confidence inspiring squreak although deafening when manualling. Work in the wet and the dry equally well. Love these pads.

I like the floating idea but I think there is room for improvement. Instead of floating the caliper on an arm which pivots about the mount on the frame it would be better if the caliper floated side to side (perpendicular to the disc) not in an arc. I know its a minor point but it could mean the disc pads don't hit the disc at 90 degrees which would give a spongier brake. I also think if the disc was more like the Ruthless one it would save a shed a fair bit of weight although it would be better if it was closer to the rim like the proto version. I think the ideal solution would be a mount lower on the seat than the standard magura mounts with a mount that allowed float perpendicular to the disc - would probably need Koxx or Deng to throw a shed load of money at it. I know he's trying to make it accessable as a retro fit product but I was thinking ideal world. Anyway - fair play, it looks really good as a proto. Far better than I could do. Jamie

Yep, I had two bikes nicked - insurance is well worth it especially when they pay out (although my mum wasn't too keen as it was done through her house insurance). Big locks or if possible stick it in your room. I also helped sort the demo in the park and yes there's about 6 of us that ride at least once a week - the uni is great but security is a pain. Living wise - Swansea is cheap compared to most other cities which is a real bonus (I finished at the uni in 2003 and am still down here). Let me know when you're down. Jamie

Used to be: Brake: Avid BB5 Rotor: Avid Cable: Something standard Lever: Avid SD5 Rotor size: 185mm Brake pad: standard Wheel size: 26" Was good but not good enough so I upgraded the rotor to a 203mm Hayes and it works superbly - tyre usually breaks traction before the brake gives out (bearing in mind I'm 13 stone). Am slightly scared that my forks are going to snap though - did snap a spoke the other day.

Can I be really pedantic and off topic. I'm sure the size of the tyre has some bearing on whether the wheel diameter is 26". From what I can remember off the top of my head, a standard rim has an OD of 559mm or 22" and if you compare a 1.95" Panaracer to a 2.5" Maxxis there is a fair bit of difference. Sorry, I'll leave it and get back to work now.