Smooth means control and that requires having the basics dialled. In mototrials a lot of it is about throttle and clutch control. Anyone can whack the throttle open and ride at obstacles (and often get up and over them) but to do it completely in control, and carry out the manoeuvre smoothly takes something else. I guess it comes down to learning to walk before you can run (as with biketrials to be fair).
Dan Smith got his dad to do it to his cranks and I don't think ever had a problem. Do it right, smooth the edges and keep an eye on them but you'd probably be fine. Probably.
Sooo... what bars are of the same order of overall rise as the TT highs? Especially if a 50mm 'rise' set of Deity's come out with a similar actual rise as 103mm rise Inspired Skyes/TT Highs?
Is there a difference to how companies like Deity measure rise compared to Trialtech/Inspired? I swear the Deity's look like they've got a bigger rise than my Inspired's but the numbers say different.
I find Ali far more negative than Mark usually, but I know he's been trying to correct that. Kittens in the pit of death can't help matters though... that poor kitten .
Personally I'd go for the DMR if you think you're likely to have some fun on it as well as commuting. Probably worth getting one with a cassette and derraileur (how the f**k do you spell that word?) though to make life easier for the commute.
I used to ride 7 miles on my trials bike to get to a riding spot so doing 5 miles on a DMR (get a QR seat clamp too) won't be a problem and will most likely be much more fun (if a bit more hard work) than a road bike or gay ass luminous pink fixie.
I ran it for about 6 months before completely changing from the steel hardtail singlespeed to a Commencal Meta full susser (with gears). Was definitely nice not to have to think about gears and derraileurs etc and I think I did stick with the 18t while I was singlespeed. Go for it and see how you get on!
I'd say your version of a street mod (still a little odd looking but far less so!) would be far more saleable than this (to both BMXers and trials folks alike).
I have a feeling that might mean excluding pretty much everyone I'm afraid. It works for you and that's great but you're the only person I've ever seen riding the way you do...
It's not difficult but can be a bit fiddly. Keep track of where the parts go and the order they come off and make sure you catch all the bearings if it's a loose-ball type.
Impossible to say without more info. Sounds like something's either moved or broken inside the mechanism. If it has a lockring accessible it's probably worth investigating the problem before getting a new one. Note that the lockring is most likely a left hand (opposite) thread and there may be a whole bunch of loose ball bearings in there so be prepared!
Check out some of the Antitron vids on Youtube, should explain the design. I'm with Laurence on this one.
Clifford, you're talking like you're going to go into production with it on a small scale- is that the case?