spmcfadden

I'd say old school would be the people who started before all the trials only companies were around?

Started trials five years ago, impressive how there are so many trials specific companies about now!

I use the 661 race knee and shin for downhill and they fit me well (I must have anorexic ankles!), but wouldn't want to use them for trials as it isn't as flexible as just shin pads. If you can't move your knees as freely then you're more likely to fall off and need the knee pads..

That's a good point, I assumed "head treaded" meant head threaded as in the thread diameter, but it probably means heat treated! Probably best to ask Tarty!

http://www.echobike.com/index1.htm If you go to the Echo website, Drivetrain, then half way down the page it says '15mm oversize CRMO head threaded hollow axle'.

I’ve been using Planet X ones for years, only £10 from chainreaction now! They wrap around and fasten tight with velcro so aren’t loose and flappy. As they go all round you get the backs of your legs protected too. Having knee protection as well would good but it reduces your flexibility a bit and they aren’t as comfortable I’ve found. Definitely get some as you can really stuff your shins up! http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11216

Just tuck them into your socks, best way of preventing it. More important than ruining your trousers is if they get caught and make you fall off! Like when your shoelaces get wrapped around the pedal axle..

It's not three years it's less than two years!

Downhill, street and cross country. Getting back into trials again now.

You actually got charged with criminal damage?? That's ridiculous, making you pay for the bench is fair enough if you broke it but pressing charges is going too far. If the councils don't bother paying for any facilities what do they expect? Been told to move on in Birmingham city centre by the community support officers which is why we ride street on the uni campus as it's uni security and they can't do anything except tell you to move on! So long as you keep moving wherever you ride it seems to be fine, staying in the same spot tends to attract attention. Full face helmet means they can’t recognise you the next time either.. Not been stopped for no lights or being on the pavement yet, but why should we ride on the road and risk being killed by badly driven cars? On the pavement it is no danger to pedestrians if you're careful, but riding on the road however many lights you have there's still crap drivers around. No matter how many good drivers there are it only needs one to run into you.

If you want to have a ride then have a ride, as then when you get revising you won't be thinking about riding so you'll work better. I find working near a computer bad as I get distracted the whole time, like now! If you make up a timetable of what you'll be revising and when then you can schedule in some bike time. At uni there is lots of work varying with different courses, but you have far more freedom to work when you want so can fit in more riding! You get wednesday afternoons off for sport too! It is important to try as hard as you can with exams - it's annoying when everyone is whinging at you all the time to revise but you don't want to find you can't choose what you really want to do afterwards (a-levels, job etc) because you didn't get high enough results. After exams you get all summer to ride!

With the brake pulled hard the rim won't move anywhere so most of the force will be transferred to the mounting bolts causing the frame to flex, the booster holds the two brake cylinders together so the force goes onto the rim giving you high braking power. So any booster will help!

Oops! Was thinking of sanding down and polishing my maguras and searched for it which is why I replied, didn't check the date!

Probably the washing powder not being rinsed out thoroughly, just rinse jeans in water in the sink afterwards. Or the simple answer - don't wash them!

If there isn't enough space to get your fingers on the cones then you can use a screwdriver to help turn them round if you haven't got a small enough spanner. Tightening them too much will stop the bearings rolling so using fingers should be fine, not worth paying for a specific cone spanner.

So long as you're wearing goggles Nitromors is fine, using outside is a good idea too unless you like getting high off the fumes. Stripped a door using the stuff, just don't wear shorts as it hurts your legs! I read in another thread that it damages welds, and so voids your warranty. Aluminium won't rust, the surface will oxidise so if you want a shiny polished surface then the lacquer coating will help keep this.

Sounds right. Force applied to the wheel by tyre and rim, calliper clamps the rotor stopping hub moving, so rotating force transfers through the spokes twisting them. Then either snap the spoke or rip it out of the hub flange. With the rim brakes stopping the rim directly stops this problem. Also with discs only being on one side it stresses the disc side spokes more so twists and feels flexy as has been mentioned. Some hubs (like the Mavic Deemax) have the spokes coming into the hub straight without the curve on the spoke, stops the force concentration on the curve of the spoke near the flange to stop them snapping there. Never seen any hub like that on a trials bike though!

Not had any experience with rear discs but it would stress the left hand side of the frame a lot more obviously, so a light competition frame could have its life shortened. As for bending the rotor, if you don't hit your mech much then shouldn't hit the rotor much either.

That's from five years ago still got it on my computer, still funny now! My best crash was down a long set of steps doing some street, knocked myself out and didn't know what day of the week it was. Cut and swollen side of face, had an interview the next day! Can't feel a tooth still either..

I've seen quite a few pairs of 661 gloves split, after less than a couple of months. I got a pair of the Cedric Gracia ones, they had no palm protection and they started splitting after a few weeks! Posted them back and got the Mace Gauntlet, much stronger feeling glove. Been using Axo Descend gloves for five years, had to stitch them up recently, which is longer than any 661 one I've seen.