Ali C

it's an old Megamo, they were discontinued years ago. Must say, every time I see that bike, I like it even more. So nice!

I'll be 36, probably riding bikes either for fun or a living.

you need to make sure the hole through the wood is smaller than the hose, otherwise it won't clamp it. another tip is to put a nipple on the end of an old spoke, then put the barb onto the spoke, then put the spoke down the hose and hammer in hitting the nipple. This makes sure it goes in straight.

not keen on the geo (slack head angle and long stem? surly a steaper head angle and shorter stem rides better?), but it has a seat so that's win in my book!

you will become a better rider long term if you learn on a stock I think, but you will see faster improvement on a mod. I started on stock and I think it really helped.

just get caustic soda, available from most hardwear stors (B&Q for example). Add to hot water, use a toothbrush or something to apply to the frame and watch the magic happen. I found Caustic soda to be far more efficient than oven cleaner, you can make the solution stronger and as I said above, adding to hot water really makes the reaction happen!

Hey John! I was actually thinking about you the other day, how odd that you then show up and post this topic. I remember the first time I met you, I think it was Preston and I was just thinking "who is this loon on the Monty?" It's great hear you are still on two wheels, well done for getting far with racing, please let me know when it's on tv! Have a good' un

depends what stem you will use, but a longer headtube will mean fewer spacers and a cleaner, lighter, stronger front end.

maybe he doesn't want to do those moves? I know I don't really care for footjam whip drops.

no he's not

He is a good rider, got some good hops BUT if I have ever seen anyone who needs to take their brakes off it's this guy, he didn't seem to have much flow to me, his style looked a little rigid, almost trying to fight it in places rather than working with it. I would like to see proper 360 hops too rather than flat English style ones. Definitely got potential though, one to keep an eye on.

ohh, twists and turns. Better than X Factor IMO

ok cool, short stocks are amazing to learn on, way better than long bikes I think (for the same reasons I said before). I wouldn't worry too much about weight training, the best thing you can do is ride the bike as much as possible, there is no point having power but lacking control. Riding the bike will only work the muscles needed, there's no point making other muscles bigger, that's just adding weight to your body.

love it, that bunny up the wall-roll thing was cool as well as the 3 off the wall too. PS, how long are your legs?

don't see why someone has to be "the new (insert name)" anyway. He is himself (grammar?) and is a dam fine rider. This is the direction I like to see trials going.

hist front wheel balance is pretty impressive! His actual style isn't the nicest I have seen, but it's cool that he is doing his own thing (still).

not bad at all! For 11 months riding you are hell of a lot better than I was! As you said you do look a little stiff, try and relax and the riding should improve. Also, I wouldn't really recommend going for the easy option and get a mod. Since when do any athletes go for the easy option when training or practicing? If you stick on the stock, I think it will teach you more about riding trials in the next year, than 2 years would on a mod (how weight effects the bike, having to put more power in, muscle building etc).

as Adam said, eyelets dont really do a whole lot. People say you can get the spokes tighter, but that's not really true. I have never had a spoke pull through or crack the rim either in all my years of riding.

no need for eyelets on any rim

the eyelets are at such and angle, when the spokes leave the nipple they have quite a sharp bend in them meaning they will snap easier. Well that's for the rear ones anyway.

are crap

considering the TR is almost the same rim as the Urban (2g lighter I think) you have done pretty well to dent it.

yeah you could swap the spring. I havn't looked for a new one that fits, but I have tried cutting it down and stretching it, but it never worked that well.

Get some TNN LGV pads, great compound and great backings.