steve sturt

You said it right there sir. Some of us just aren't deluding ourselves with visons of grandeur. Im never going to be Vincent Hermance. I dont like competing. Playing on my bike, is what I enjoy best, as do most of the riders here I guess. I just personally would rather play on a fun little steel bike, than a mass produced aluminium barge of a bike. I just happen to think that the market has been saturated with aluminium Koxx/Echo clones, and it would be nice to see somehting that breaks the mould somewhat. It may be that the geometry is becoming homogenised, thorugh "development" and the manufacturers feel they have found the perfect formula, but there is still a place for a fun little play bike, for naostalgic fellows such as myself.

I personally would rather have a short little steel bike, that I can repair myslef if it cracks. When riding an aluminium frame, its hard to feel that you are riding somehting special, as everyone has the a variation of the same thing. With a steel bike, (in this current climate of mass produced chinese aluminium frames) you can at least be assured that the person who put it together at least had some sort of pride in the end result. Its just a shame about the price you have to pay for a steel frame these days that prevents me getting a new one, and the limited market. With an aluminium bike, you can just sort of pick you wheelbase etc and buy the best priced thing that meets your specs. They would be the same more or less. Just the way I like frames. Maybe Im just being old school and nostalgic.

Who is Deng? Does he own all these companies, like Echo and Czar etc. Does he own the factory that makes these frames?

Funny, but the CZAR photos kinda remind a bit alot sorry of the new Echo ones, and it looks like a re jigged Koxx XTP. I think they all ming. Whats happened to steel? Is there a world shortage?

Learn to do the repairs yourself. Then you dont have all this nonsense with having to book it in, and a minimum labour charge. Save yourself a shedload of money in the longrun. Buy/ borrow the tools when needed. Bikes arent complicated. They are not cars. This is an assumption too many people make. Trials bikes are particularly simple, with no suspension, front mechs or seat posts. You dont even have to pump the tyres up properly. Thers not much you can balls up on a bicycle in terms of repair.

Hans is a legend and probably more responsible for the success of trials than anyone else. He was the first to get trials into the public eye. The first to do it on mountain bikes. He has done things with trials no one else will ever do. Even at his ripe old age now, he has more passion for the sport than almost anyone else. He is a true ambassador for the sport, and if you have never heard of him, I suggest you look him up. Its vital that you do. He isnt Vincent Hermance or whoever, but Vincent probably owes as much to Hans as anyone else.

The V12s have sealed bearings and the V8s have open bearings with a greaseport. Makes a big difference in the life span of the bearings.

Damn those secret pedals. I have been so content with my bike setup for so long now, that I dont look at whats coming out any more.

Hook Woods is a constant work in progress. There is so much there, big rocks, small rocks, telephone poles, ditches, broken walls, logs roots. Huge kicker ups, small stuff. It has nearly ebrything apart from cars, pallets and phone boxes. Its certainly not the easiest of venues. I always remember it to be a high scoring venue. If its wet itll be really slippery on the mud, as the soil is clay based, but the rocks will still grip. People seem to love it though. Have fun.

Grind it, grind it now. Its the onel way. Tar is non prous so water just sits on it, crap in the wet. With a grind, the water sits in the grooves so doesnt rob the bite of your brake so much. It doesnt compromise your rim strength, as long as your sensible and dont grind it every week. Use mavic rims and these last ages with grinds. They arent made of marmite like these buy all products are.

You dont have to worry about pulling up on the bars, as the kick on the pedals pulls the front up for you. Try learning without the hop, and it will probably make a bit more sense plus really dial in your balance.

I dont seem to get shin digs. Not had one for over 4 years. Think its because I am left footed and ride with right foot forward. Some people are prone to them, and others seem never to get them.

I've had the same V12 for 5 years and they are still going strong. The axles are strong and the bearing last years. I used to do most of my riding on Welsh beaches for 2 years and the salty air and falling in rock pools, hasn't affected them in the slightest. IMO they are the perfect pedal. To grease the bearing you just unscrew the end cap, fill the hole with grease and screw the cap back on. All the old dirty grease gets squeezed out of the other side and the pedal runs like new for another year. I would swear by them. I could never go back to an open bearing pedal again.

Get your GP to look at them. That way you can get them sorted ASAP, for free, by people that know exactly what their doing. They will tailor any treatment specifically for you. If its nothing to worry about, they will tell you, and you will have a definate answer.

I had a friend who wrecked his knees riding trials, and couldn't join the fire brigade as result.

After 11/09 as we should be calling it, George Bush decided to go to war against Afghanistan and Iraq for "harboring terrorists" and having weapons of mass destruction. After hurricane Katrina, are we going to see a war against Michael Fish? Suppose it depends on how much 3 in 1 oil he has in his shed. As for the London bombings. Very tragic I agree, yet in Iraq they have this sort of thing day in and day out, and we give more press coverage to cats getting stuck in trees.

Use cassette spacers, but movind it 10mm to the drive will probably mean your left hand crank wont go round past your stays.

I dont ride at the moment as my arm is in plaster. due to a cock in a BMW.

Im liking the idea of a proper seat these days, but my frame has no hole for a seatpost.

That'll learn 'im

I have had a broken wrist for 14 weeks before anything ha been done about it. Im now in a plaster cast, possibly facing surgery. I tried riding on it too. Not the most pleasant experience. Excuse my spelling. I have to type 1 handed now.

That is so funny. Seriously, a lot of people would probably buy those. Good effort.

I was merely explaing why I dont like it. Mr Onza man obviously was looking for feedback, and I gave him my honest opinion, which is neither right or wrong. I wasnt saying its shit, just that I dont like it. I agree that they have done well for trying, but they havent made a product that I would buy, yet. Personally I cant think of anything nicer than a 24" wheeled steel framed short wheelbase bike, with a big front end. And also a practial saddle.

Isnt there a remix of Milk by Garbage for the Porth Cawl Section in TS1? I dont know what the mix is called, but its on there. Sorry my bad, I think that was chainspotting.

I should have said it need a saddle, not a seat. Something your knees can grip. The 24" rims is a good move though. Ive never liked the internal headset idea on onzas either. I mean you pay loads of money for a chris king and cant even show it off!!!