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Good work! Fate intervened there I think, the bike I scored from eBay seems to be a better deal - minus the rear wheel haha! Was it effectively stock apart from the Mags?

Hahaha, did you buy it off PinkBike? Can I see some photos out of curiosity? How's it riding?

Random question but I've just found an unopened packet of handlebar tape for my road bike; how would this fare to the rigors of trials riding? I know it's comfy and grips well.

Now I'm back on my laptop and not typing from my phone I can inform you properly about the bike. Frame is fine, usual cable rub marks and an incredibly shallow dent in the underside. Will be perfect to learn on and eventually upgrade to something nice. Forks are Because Curved Blade in white. In fine condition, to be honest they look relatively new. I'm happy with them. Brakes are HS33's that are incredibly sharp with plenty of wear left on the pads. However I will be interested to know what pads to replace with when the time comes and I'm also tempted to change the levers for the longer ones as I prefer the shape. Front wheel is a white rim, (didn't get the brand), with 20mm holes drilled through laced to an Echo non-disc hub. Maxxis High Roller tyre. Rear wheel is an Alex DX32 laced to a Formula freehub. The freewheel mechanism was shot and subsequently slipping when I pedalled. I took it to my local bike shop thinking it was the bottom bracket but after the mechanic chucked it about he said it would be the hub. So I'm having the existing rim laced to a brand new Hope Pro 2 T/SS... cannot wait for the beautiful freewheel noise Also has a Maxxis High Roller tyre. I think everything else on the bike is stock. I'm glad I got the bike for cheap as this new wheel build will be costly. In the long run it will be worthwhile because I love the bike, I had a lot of fun on it today and can't wait to further my riding skills, and the Pro 2 is a hub for life. I can take it with me from bike to bike giving it the occasional new rim when I need to. Once I get to a competant level of riding I will consider upgrading the frame but for now I'm happy with how it is and can't wait to get it back so I can go riding!!

Bike is fine except for the rear hub! Having a wheel built with a Pro2 on the existing rim. Expensive but it'll last!

It's a Formula rear hub

Good to know, thanks! I'm just looking to have a good time, not compete or whatever; so ideally I'm after a tyre that can somewhat do it all. So if I ride the street I'm in control but if I head to my local park or whatever I'm equally in control!

That Sir, is the perfect response! Cheers for that, makes everything really clear!

Does the Stiky Lite come in a front version for 26"? Or is it only the Shift? Currently nosing on TartyBikes. Good to know, thanks!

This video is insane! All BMXers should replace their bikes with brakeless mods!! Great video!

Annoying when technology takes control, eh! My only criticism to your edit is that the sky is verging on unnatural. The clouds and the plane especially look great, good work!

Not bad at all mate. Almost got it looking like it was shot with an old film camera, which is a personal favourite editing style of mine! Is this using Gimp?

Meeting in the middle can definitely happen. Ever ridden in Clapham before?

Everyone here will be running different tyre setups I assume... but coming from an AM background I run my bike with two different tyres: a softer front tyre for grip and a harder rear tyre for getting the power down. Both tyres have different tread patterns to aid with accellerating and holding onto corners etc. Does the same apply to trials too? It's fairly obvious that running a larger voluime rear tyre than front tyre makes sense, (2.0F, 2.5R.) But does having different tread patterns between the two wheels come into effect when riding trials? I see a lot of you talking about running various Conti tyres, Der Barons, Der Kaisers... are you generally speaking about pairs or just an individual tyre fit for one purpose? Naturally, personal preference and riding experience will play a key role in tyre selection . I personally gravitate towards Maxxis as that's what I've always run on my Specialized. I am however here to learn and pick your brains so I can maximise my potential on my trials bike. Grateful for any and all advice!

Lock ons. I do have giant ham hands so I'll try out the standard size first. Thanks for the advice.

I can guarantee that if I buy both sets and try one of each I'll be that knobhead who prefers a thin grip one hand and a standard grip the other, hahaha! Anything to make life just that little bit more expensive.

Is there a massive difference between the standard and thin options? In regards to performance and hand fatigue, I assume they provide the same amount of grip.

When I owned a mod I was forever being asked, "Is that like a BMX or s'in'?" Then the general "Where's the seat?"

Hate to gravedig; but is the general consensus that the Trialtech foam grips are still the best out there? I've never used foam before and it seems the sensible option. I'm open to trying out other brands to find my personal favourite but why not start off with "everyone's favourite," so to speak.

There is free software similar to Photoshop called Gimp, (have fun Googling that!) You can get some nice editing done in there with plenty of tutorials available on Youtube etc. Once you get your Mac if you don't fancy spending any money the iPhoto software that comes as part of iLife is fantastic. I do all of my soft editing in iPhoto but anything that needs proper editing I take over to Photoshop or Lightroom.

PC or Mac?

Fantastic effort, isitafox! Shame I hadn't seen this thread sooner as I could have helped out. What editing software do you use, if any? You can definitely bring out the best in those photos.

I got the bike for £142 and the fella lives under an hour away to go and collect it which is decent. Not sure what the hub is but I will know on Saturday morning and naturally give you all a spec run down! Not bad for a days work, eh!

That previous bike is now showing as sold. Found this though - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230977851259?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 Ideal? Could probably secure a fairly low price too.

Hello, I'm just curious if anyone on here is Sutton based, or anywhere within riding distance or a train journey? Once I sort myself a bike out I'd be keen to find an experienced riding buddy/group to help show me the ropes and build my confidence etc.