Gandalf the Yellow

really stealthy look, I like it! had a similar set up as yours when I had mine, it rode loveeely! Steve

not wanting to be a chav or anything but I'm feeling the lack of punchy bass from the 5x7 which is expected from the Vibe something or another. I'm more leaning towards an active sub underseat option over a proper on because I always have my bike about so I don't want to minimise boot space from an already small car! I wondered if they're actually worth it? looking at the inphase one as it looks the most powerful (I don't know much about subs but I guess the more power generally the better?) what do you guys think? Steve

It is, bike feels shorter but I'm 5 10 as well and I loved every 1075 wheelbase bike I've owned (had 1085/1090 before and it was just alright). but the high bb and my further reach just somehow makes it feel so flickable. to be honest even when it had a standard trialtech stem it felt not cramped, but it didn't ride nice. so the answer is no! try one if you can, its very different to many other bike's I've ridden before. Steve

i might ask the boys and see if they're up for this... Steve

cool well I think we'll be out over the weekend at some point. if you can make it over you should. Steve

the thing with pads I found is sometimes people will have a bit of a bad batch, and the same pads I've heard people have with a very similar set up have had a very different performance. and there's so many possibilities to make a bad brake combo. my Belaey's are amazing with a mid grind and as long as I keep it clean and brake set up right, it's got excellent bite and alright hold. it does eat grinds a little but it's ok at the moment with a worn down grind and I'm not complaining. I think a lot of people here haven't used enough pads to make a real comparison. and that goes for me as well. but as someone that has used TNN's I can't ask for more and I would recommend. I might be wrong and I am completely missing out on all the other AMAZING pads out there but I am happy so meh. Steve

good work lads, bike's looking shweeeet! it's good to see Chris' collection of frames hasn't all gone to waste and just sat there. I take it you'll be out for a ride soon then? Steve

I already have and it looks lovely, it rides a lot better too! yeah it's good for street which is mainly what I ride, I used to have nobby nic's and they were a bit better for a bit of both. my larsen's always been a little bit better when it comes to flats though! thanks for the comments so far guys. all good it seems! ** for those interested in the geo** I've measured it and it comes to 1075 with Urban forks, with that high bb it somehow does ride really nice as long as you get the bar and stem set up right! Steve

Pads: TNN Kenny Belaey / CNC Backing Time used: 2 weeks Rim used: Tryall hOle Grind: Yes, Medium Brake used: Magura HS33 2005, Blood bled, standard 2 finger lever, Tryall 2 Bolt Booster What is you opinion of a working brake: Power, bite, hold and good noise for confidence How do they compare to previous pads: better than any other set ups I've ever had in my 6 years of riding, the best were Plaz CRM's on old Tryall rim on light grind, but this one pisses all over it. Review: Absolutely flawless pads, with a fresh medium grind it takes about 20 secs to bed in. The hold on them are just immense, the noise is brilliant if you like brake noises, it's loud and deafening and very sharp and it really helps with confidence personally. Backing looks rather pimp and fitted to my HS33 without a problem. They are a bit pricey mind you, but for that price and being the best brake I've ever used it's totally worth the extra money, being a harder compound I will assume the wear rate should be good, but time will tell. Only bad thing I can think of is that it's not a snug fit with (my slave cylinder) it does have a little bit of play once locked up from the pads to cylinder, it's a slightly irritating creak and feels a little odd as you've always got that little play when you're on the back wheel etc. And I also fear that it might snap my slave cylinder into bits being that powerful. Steve

always loved kamels. this is no exception, is this bessel's old one? Steve

personally I prefer the noise of loud brakes more, really violent and ear-bleeding rear brakes does it for me. Steve

I'll have a measure tomorrow with them forks. http://www.biketrialseller.com/ go go go. I've got a new Tryall stem now and it rides absolutely lovely, it's taking me a ride or 2 to get used to it. Thanks for the comments so far guys. Steve

YES! Old skool steeds. Love it. Steve

always enjoyable to watch, chilled out little edit! what bike are you getting now? Steve

noice! don't leave them forks to rust. Steve

Seriously. I am not argueing the fact whether they are the same people or not, I know they probably designed by the same people and come out of the same factory. I am saying the Zhi/Bionic range is designed differently for the different market behind it. (lighter=compy heavier=streety) Same material coming out of the same factory doesn't mean they have the same strength, it's all down to the design itself. Take Giant for example, they may use same type of 7000 series alloy for their XC range and DH range... actually, I give up explaining, because you've just confirmed to me that you're a f**king idiot. Steve

remind me of the mod FANS. loooks neat though, should try and get some better pics I bet these don't do the bike any justice! Steve

If you don't have the intelligence of a 6 year old or simply being an idiot then you'd understand that: when 2 companies come out of the same factory it doesn't mean they must have the same strength. It is purely depending on the specific product itself and what it was designed for. remind me how you got validated again? Steve

that is the biggest pile of shit I've heard in a long time. Steve

From what I could understand from simply looking at the geo and spec, between Zhi and Bionic that they're meant to ride the same (much like their stock range), but Zhi is labelled as a 'street frame' with hydroform downtube(which looks absolutely amazing in the flesh) so its slightly heavier. Bionic - lighter, same geo therefore possibly a better option for the weight weenies (not neccesarily specific comp frame). For beasty looks and strength - go for a Zhi For simple looks and lightness - Bionic. Biased opinion, Zhi, mines LOVELY. EASY! Steve

looks nice tris! we'll have to give it a bash soon, tomorrow MK are you game? Me and stu will be out from 2ish. I think a higher stem will benefit the geo, that's what I found with my 1080 +60bb geo, nice tryall 127mm and 27deg rise stem makes it ride LOVELY. Steve

bloody hell! that was actually incredible... only mod video I've actually enjoyed!! love it. Steve

is it still on? it's pretty wet. Steve

big everything... really enjoyable. Steve

maybe in a few years we can see top riders with their legs behind their heads on a big tap. Steve