cant_ride

Well done my man! I was getting a bit worried about looking like a nob getting back on the bike at almost 25 but hey, at the end of the day it's what we all love doing right!? We should organise a trials veterans (pensioners) day! Never stop!

Is that a halflink chain? I feel like I need one of those on my 24 they look ace! I don't care how many bad things I hear about them! Looks grand!

Sweet cheers buddy! Just placed an order for a pair. All that's left now is tubes and drivetrain and I'm there! Oli

I think it's going to be Maxxis. I used to run a 26" DMR moto and it was ace I just wasn't too keen on the look. Not overly fussed about puncture protection. Cheers guys!

Hey, I'm trying to figure out what tyres to stick on my new 24 build. I'm going to be riding a bit of everything so I can't decide between light and grippy, or a bit more streety. I've heard good things about the MAXXIS Holy Rollers (I'm on a very low budget by the way £20 each max.) but I'm a bit wary getting 2.4 width. Am I right in thinking there isn't a 2.1 or 2.3 version. How do people find these? I also love the look of the DMR moto digger but something in the back of my head is telling me not to get them? Cheers Oli

I've ridden for about 10-11 years, street and competition, and have always used Magura standard black pads on Mavic D521 rims (Most people probably won't even know what they are anymore.. shame) Hardly ever used tar, never had a grind, never had a problem. When I was well into my comps, it was the same kind of time that there was huge rise in the amount of people attending.. EBTC anyway, and grinds had just started getting popular. I remember so many people used to hate doing it but it was the only way to get a brake working in mud, puddles and streams which normally formed about half of each EBTC section. Pads are a hell of a lot better now than they used to be but honestly mate.. if you want to tar up, do it. I'd rather have to white spirit my rims and de-cake my pads every weekend than take a friggin' power tool to something I'd spent my hard earned cash on! How things change! Oli

Right... I'll have my bike sorted by this time next month (give or take a few days) so everyone get their ass over to Manchester, or Buxton, or wherever else has a decent day's ride. Saying that it'll be my first time riding for about 4 years and I'll be brakeless due to my lack of cash so I'll probably be nackered and badly hurt by noon! Oli

Haha, this is a great thread, some really amusing comments to read on a Sunday afternoon! I'm going to be joining the 24" brakeless crowd after my 4 year riding ban. This is, however, only because if I wanted brakes on my new build (and thanks to the c**ts that stole my curtis) I'd have to put off my comeback until July. Simply can't afford to buy brakes and I'm too impatient to wait! I tried riding brakeless years ago and I was pretty kak. I got frustrated and gave up too quickly though there were those few moments when I pulled something that I had trouble with when brake'd. It was a bloody good feeling and it's true... you can't even begin to imagine how much your balance, steadiness, reaction time, pedal control and general commitment improves riding brakeless. I'll probably do it until I can afford brakes, but then again I might love it so much that I stick with it. I'm going 24" for a change, maybe the lack of brakes will reinforce this? Can't wait! Oli

I ran a pair of Echo Urbans for about 4 years riding street, trails and natural. They got a hell of a lot of abuse. The worst damage they sustained was the lacquer cracking at the crown where they occasionally flexed in my brakeless days. They also look pretty sweet, reminiscent of Fatty R's that us old bastards used to covet so many years ago! Oli

Hallo, I just got forced into buying a pair of these as there was nothing else available at the price, and I think they look pretty decent. I've not heard a great deal about Because and so have no idea what they're about. Website looks pretty shoddy but then so did ECHO's when it first went up back in the dark ages. Anyone have an informed opinion on these forks? To be honest I won't be riding much, and I've never snapped a pair of forks in my 11 year career so I can't imagine I'll have any issues. If no one has a review I'll fit mine, ride them, then write my own! Ta! Oli

Yeah I can vouch for that.. I had to destroy about 3 of each type when I was doing my brake lever project at uni (I still need to show you the finished version don't I ?) Spoke is best for the old, mole grips for the new. You can use the ones you stole off me years ago.. you know, the ones you covered in beer! You bugger. Oli ps You really don't need to be all that careful. If you saw the state of the cylinders in my prototype (That were bored with B&Q own brand dremel tools) and how damaged the old magura pistons in there are you'd probably feel just as happy using a chainsaw to get out your piston. Maguras use a VERY crude hydraulic system so scratched cylinders, mangled pistons and worn seals really don't make a huge amount of difference.

Hey thanks so much for the offer matey but forks are one of those things I'm going to invest in brand new. Good luck with the ol' exams! I miss exams. Oli

A few of you had been grand giving me tips for my soon-to-be 24", others had generally been getting me well excited about taking the reigns (bars) once more and losing my imaginary but very possible beer gut. And then... My bike gets stolen from my building's lockup along with 4 others. I know there aren't that many people on here from the South Manchester / Stockport ish area but it could be in flippin' Cambodia by now for all I know. Please keep a look out: Kidding Sorry that's the best I've got. Also I am now a massive begging charity case because I really want my new bike to get built so I can make the most of this ace weather! I was going to take all the little crappy parts like BBs, wheel skewers, stem caps etc from my Curtis which, now gone, will probably set back my build by about 1-2 months due to my crappy wage. If anyone can donate anything useful I'd be supremely grateful and will happily return the favour with Mars bars or Waitrose White chocolate and Cranberry cookies. Thanks guys! Oli

Hey Dan ace pics! I'm coming to get my wheels in two weeks and then maybe I'll be able to come back to Leeds by the time I'm 90, when I finally get a bike built. Looks like a savage ride over there! I'll be brakeless too; purely because I can't afford to buy any! Olios

I worked with a guy from d3o for a short while and I've tried on a d30 beanie. It's amazing although all it does it transfer the force down to your neck. Have you seen the Lacoste helmet? Lacoste Helmet.. I love this thing!

I'm trying to use Xoom... put in my card details, said it could not be authorised, deleted all the info in my account, tried to add it again, says its already registered. So now I'm stuck and it's pissing me off because I really want a frame. Nothing's ever easy!

Allo guys how do? I'm in the process of ordering a Marino frame and he's asked to transfer the money either by Western Union or Interbank. What has everyone else used? I've heard good and bad things about both and don't know who to trust more? Why can't the whole world use Paypal? Oli

Exactly what I'm going for what bash and seat you running.. I've also seen them in my visions? Oli

I've already got a vintage Hope mini so disc it is! And yeah, as great as Inspired forks sound they're about twice the price of my first choice.. bikes are a bloody nightmare! Oli

Ta Adam! I have a month or two to ponder it over in any case. You guys are all up near Preston right.. Where do you ride? I really need to get out. Oli Yeah I like the look of them but I'd rather have a curved blade. Just my aesthetic preference. Also if I run brakes at all I'd want disc (which I'm sorted for for any fork) or V which the inspired don't have mounts for. I don't really want to have untidy adapters hanging around. I don't know.. maybe I should just sit on my arse and play Playstation instead. Oli

Sweet, Well I'm crap for organising so get in touch when you want to trek into manc. In a bit.

Why do you think I want to get out on the bike!!! Dan, I'd be more tempted to ride Leeds instead to be honest.. some good lines in Manc but its full of bloody personage getting in my royal way! Oli

Heyho, Just ordered my 24" to be built up over the next few months. I'm pretty set on most parts but forks I'm not sure about? I was going to go for Pashley forks as I've always loved 'em. Do 24" specific forks, such as the Because forks, have a different height or is it just the brake lugs lower down to accommodate the smaller rim? Just wanted to try and gauge how forks are going to affect the overall geometry on a 24" Cheers Oli

Allo.. I moved from 'the South' up to manc (Stockport) about 7 months ago and wanted to know if anyone rides street up here? I've only got a bust up old curtis at the moment but recent procurement of (underpaid) work will soon bring a shiny new 24" Let me know. Oli

Hey I spoke to a fair few of you at the Cycle Show over the last few days and thanks for the great comments about my lever... if you came and saw it and had a play please leave a few comments letting me, and everyone else know what you thought of it. Cheers Oli