Captain Scarlet

Yea not bad mate, like wunderboy said, show us your development as you progress, would be good to see you get better and better. Also, just a quick tip for backhops, try smaller hops on the spot that are more controlled and have the front end up, that way you will find yourself not going backwards. (Haha, I used to that on my jump bike when I learnt). But well done, not bad for a month as you've already got a wide range of skills under your belt now.

All depends on your set-up. I've always ran standard Magura pads on a smooth rim with some tar (No money to change pads, and my dad is not convinced with the idea of grinding a rim). More recently I've changed my rear pads to Onza Citrus pads (Cheers Al), and it is better than the Magura pads in the sense that the brake can be feathered more before it locks the rim. With my magura pads this was not the case. A good grind and decent pads will you allow you to feather the brake, and have fairly good hold too. Also rembering the fact how a grind will shed away water from the rim, allowing your brakes to work in the wet (Dependant on grind and pads). At the end of the day its up to you, I chose not to get a grind as I was scared that I'd make a bodge or that my magura pads weren't the right combination on a grind. So I just bought some tar and then I can always get a grind when I have the money.

I never tried and don't plan to, but I'm getting annoyed with the media announcing all this "Smoke free" areas and rubbish, and how you can't smoke in your car just in case someone doesn't like it. Surely its your car, your rules. And banning smoking in pubs and social clubs, thats just ridiculous, I thought the pub atmosphere was smoke and booze? But then again, I hate seeing people my age walking around with fags in their hands, I mean they don't have any superiour status from any other kid just because they smoke? So its a no for me, but I don't mind it in pub/bars etc. EDIT: I ditto that, I don't mind alcoholic beverages when you only have the odd few and drink sensibly, but whats the fun in getting drunk?, apart from walking round like a loon and having no recollection of what you did, or how close you got to getting killed the night before? Pathetic people.

Yo Martin, Me and Reece (braintreetrials), were most probably among those who you saw in Braintree, we are the most regular riders in Braintree, and if the weather is okay then we'll definately be out. I've only been riding since Christmas, and Reece a bit longer than that, so we're not exactly the greatest of riders yet. Look forward to meeting you sometime. -Tom

Also bear in mind the fact how it takes a few minutes to set. My mate had some of it, its a good idea I think but it doesn't look too good when you miss the rim and spray a bit on the tyre.

Good stuff mate, any of the lot from your way coming down if it is on a Saturday?

Hehe, lucky you Ash, it is a good idea for a tatoo too. Get it done on your bicep, its a handy place to have it as it could be hidden then just take your shirt off whilst riding in the glorious sunshine in Clacton. Plus it doesn't necessarily affect your job/career choice. I look forward to what you decide on though mate.

Fair 'nuff, do you have any preference on the day that it is done?

Hey all, Anyone up for riding Chelmsford?, was a good turnout last time and maybe more this time! On Saturday 26th of May. Who's up for it? -Tom

For me, I love riding with the guys in Essex, mainly because they are just amazing. I can really look up to them because I've seen them ride in person, and talked to them. Steve Rogers, Adam, Dan, James and Co., first ride out of Braintree, I saw Steve on his T-Rex and Dan on his Triton, it was amazing to see real trials done in real life. But generally speaking I look up to all all the riders around here, like the guys in; Colchester, Benfleet, Clacton, Chelmsford, etc. Also, Chris in Cambridge, he is always up for a ride around here despite the amount he pays and spends on the trains. He always has a smile on his face and talks to everyone. There,

Hmn, but to get the brakes contacting squarely on the rim, the wheel would be on the very edge of the dropouts I'd imagine, as because the wheel is larger, it needs to be pushed outwards. Well I'll give it a go with my mates T-Comp frame if he gets the chance, and it gives me the answer after all. If anyone has anything else to add, then please fire away.

oh my god, this looks awesome mate, brilliant idea. I'd love to have trials pictures of my favourite riders or me on my wall, I thought printing onto photo paper and framing was good enough, but this is something else. I'm waiting to see how this turns out for you, I would love to have one of these, can you put me on the list for one, and maybe you could consider it for the future.

Fair enough mate, I just wanted to get an answer from my suspiscion that a 19" is only a term to define it as a wider wheel. I put the pads on mate, they work and sound lush, thanks again.

But why would I need a new wheel/rim?, whats the reason for doing so?, and have you tried this yourself? -Tom

KoolStop pads, nice easy and cheap. £15 for 4, from ChainReactionCycles.com. Sound really nice, just needs a wee bit of tar.

Okay, I'm considering changing my frame from an Onza T-Vee to a T-Pro, as it allows me to have 4 bolt mounts rather than 2 bolt mounts, and eventually when I buy a fatter back wheel the frame will be able to support it. But I'm having some doubts about my current rear wheel (Basically a front wheel). Are 19" wheels, that 1" smaller than my current wheel?, as I have been told that a 19" wheel is called so it can be defined as a wider wheel. Basically I want to keep all the components from my T-Vee (All standard parts apart from the brakes as I now has Hs33's), and put them onto a T-Pro frame, so would anyone be able to tell me what I might have complications with? Would my current rear wheel be able fit in the frame properly, and would I be able to have my brakes contact the rim squarely and evenly. Thanks, Tom

Okay I've done my savings and theres a boy who lives locally who is selling the old Yellow/Green T-Mag. He bought the frame, forks, bars and stem (All the standard Onza stuff), from another mate, and combined them with the components from his 2000 T-Pro. Now every is in top notch condition, no scuffs on the cranks, no cracks, dents or scuffs on the frame, and it is all aesthetically pleasing. And all for less than £100 But I am just wondering if it will be a step forward from my T-Vee, it will be in the sense that it will have better cranks, front freewheel, and wide back wheel. But I've heard numerous things about the frame itself, would this be sending me backwards rather than forwards when it comes to improving my trials bike? Alternatively, I can buy the 06 T-Pro frame from SuperCycles, but I'd still be left with T-Bird cranks, and a 2.4 wheel (would it fit properly in a T-Pro?)., I know at the end of the day I'm probably going to get the answer "Its down to personal preference", but I am obviously improving in trials and need better parts to suit my needs, so basically I'd like to hear everyones points on the subject so I can make my own descision. Thanks, Tom

Hows about the old T-Comp, my friend has one and it weighs hardly anything, but I don't know if its any lighter than a Ti. I found out how light a Ti was when I had the lucky job of passing Matt's over a fench, god it was so easy due to the weight.

Ash, me and Reece (Braintreetrials) from Braintree cannot get a form of transport on the Sunday, so please remove my name. -Tom

15, I've been told that I would suit a stock more, but at the moment I feel too small on them, so maybe its something to consider when older. I've had my trials bike for 5 months and I learnt how to pedal hop a month before that. Thanks for the comments, more feedback or critique appreciated. -Tom

Meh, I was expecting to make a longer video but I couldn't think of what else to film, Now realising there are no sidehops (woops). Its a couple of minutes and a bit, and includes a bit more variety than my first video. I have been riding for 5 months and just love trials. Edited by meee, and camera work by my mate Reece (His hands are incredibly steady). And the bench to rail was my first rail, I was going to move the bench back a bit further but it was so rickety so I had to gap from the middle of it to be careful. Enjoy, Tom

Yea, every T-Rex I have seen has been stripped down in some way. Does look nice with a spray job too though.

Woah trippy, I just paused the same song to listen to the audio in the video.

Yes maybe it is a bit short notice, but is anyone up for riding Witham tommorow? Some street bits and then the pipes?, Whilst stocking up at Netto's before the pipes? We Braintree guys are going by bike, as the trains aren't going from Braintree tommorow and I'm skint. Probably be at the pipes by 12ish/1ish. Anyone interested at all?, If so leave a message and I'll PM you my number and vice versa. -Tom

Thats exactly what popped into my mind. I think it looks better in Black, I guess maybe the colourful option was a laugh but not as a permanent job.