Sponge

Trialtech forks are OK. From the bikes I've tried, they are stiff. I can't say much about long term reliability though. Aesthetically, the TTs are muntered versions of the original Viz forks... which did actually look nice. I do think that the Echo Lite/SL forks look neater and better shaped, however they are weaker ... but I suppose lighter too. Still, a fair bit cheaper.

Personally, I think the new Zoot is a step backwards from the old. I loved the old Zoot, the new one looks like a very cheap frame overall. Just going by aesthetics, but hey.. it counts for something in this day and age. CLS frame... Well, the proto looked swish and neat. The production one looks like a step backwards aesthetically too. Yes people can try and retort: "looks don't matter, the geo and design does."... However looks do matter, and I know people'd rather ride a beautiful frame with nice geo than a munter of a frame with nice geo. On a positive note, I actually think the Skull is currently Onza's nicest looking modern frame. However, the colourway and graphics make it look a bit cheap 'n kiddy. The old T-Pro was very neat and simple. Any chance of the T-Bone again?

Awesome! First impression was it looked like a 2008 GU Typhoon. I hope once you get more used to it we'll see some positive results

Absolute last resort, super glue a suitable allen key inside the rounded hole

Lookin' good! I like the new colour scheme. Mark-- Pivotals-wise, out of all the 'slim' seats, which brands make their own bases and have a different mould to the generic Macneil SL? Off the top of my head, there's Eclat and Odyssey. Any others?

TMS 120x30mm, hmm ...

Well, I tried applying the theory of wacking high stems on stocks to make them lift easier, for this. I think height/rise of the front end alone will help my cause, but still, the length is somewhat a concern. Would a high, but stubbier stem just make the bike feel like cack maintaining backwheel control and leverage/power for gaps/ups?

Ahh, really? This is something I've been wanting to hear. Did the big stem totally kill bunnies and manuals then? As in, it just wouldn't pull up without a fight?

Interesting, hmm, I always found a higher front end helped me sit on the backwheel better. Would you go any longer than 85mm on your bike Mark?

Thanks, these are the kinds of answers I'm really after So completely completely ignoring spins, but just focusing on how easy the front wheel pops up (this is as 'street' as I care to get my bike) is a longer stem still going to be OK? In short I'm after a bike that'll around as TGSy as a stock and have comfort on the backwheel and enough leverage/power for ups/gaps... but just with the ability to pop up into manual/bunny easily. Spins aren't a concern for me at all, for now.

Ah gotcha, does even a 120mm feel fairly gash then? I mean, bearing in mind, these days stocks all seem to be running pretty massive stems anyway. What could be so bad about running a stem longer than 100mm on a 24? I do want to be able to have a bike that'll comfortably ride trials as well. I don't take backwheel control and comfort as an indicator of a 'good bike' but it's definitely preferable and for me at least makes the bike so much more enjoyable to ride. I feel an 85x20 might be a bit too small for TGS comfort. I'm still looking out for recommendations. I'm curious what all the Because Trials and Rockman Tractor riders are running stem-wise.

Mark --- I know a high front end is preferable for streety feel, but how come you and Stan are running an 85x20 stem instead of say a 35 degree'd stem? Is there a setback to having the angle 'too high' or something? If anything would it not make it easier to lift? I'm very keen to get the easiest and lightest feel when pulling up mainly because my right wrist isn't well enough to handle a bike that'll have a sluggish time pulling up. I actually considered the 150x35 stem; though a lot of people are recommending against it. I know having the stem that long will do one thing at least: Kill spins. But on the plus side, what can that big stem offer me? I'm trying to look at it from a perspective where people put mod stems on their stock bikes to make them easier on the backwheel. Would a 150mm length make it easier/harder to bunnyhop/manual? How about for backwheel control and power for gaps/ups? I'm partly experimenting and can always switch out stems if it really doesn't work.. but if any more experienced riders can give their theories or ideas on if this 150x35 is a TOTAL no go with no possible benefit OR a stem size that could prove to have benefit. That'd be great! Cheers

Thanks for all the responses guys, some very interesting opinions! Has anyone tried a bigger stem on an Inspired? Say a 150x35 with a high rise bar? I'm so so curious as to how the bike'd handle with that. Anyone know anything about those Schwalbe tyres though?

Ahh damn, I wish I could watch these. Censored internet= Epic Fail. Could someone please upload these to the TF Gallery or Pinkbike? Uploader gets free little Deng goodie upon my return in July (I don't forget these things). If you want !

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Looking swish! Very neat. I always preferred the shape of the Inspireds to the Echo Urbans. The Echos looked too 'slanted' for my liking. In any case, from a totally unbiased viewpoint forgetting who runs which company... does the Inspired hold a superior 'ride feel' to the Echo? The geos are similar, but curious as to whether or not the minor changes make one frame noticeably nicer than the other. About the bars: I'm pretty deadset on a set of the TT highs, since they're a load higher than the 2nd highest bar even. What's there to dislike about the high bars then? I always wondered why the Inspired bars were lower than the TT highs, seeing as a higher front end is super preferable for a 24"? Unless there's actually a disadvantage to having your front end tooo high?

Mmm, I totally agree. I knew Holy's had thin sidewalls, but I just wondered why can't 19" tyres just go down that route and revise the tread pattern a bit? You see how so many people cut the knobs off tyres, and it actually aids grip in a lot of cases. That also being said, I think there is enough money in trials, especially a brand like Echo or Koxx to try out kevlar beaded tyres (which will change the ride feel a bit I know,) or some other more radical weight saving measures that BMX and MTB companies implement. I also suppose it wouldn't hurt if Maxxis tried updating their CCs a bit too. Certainly got the means to! A specific question just for Mark!: Hey d'y'know if your Lynx feels at all alright for the type of riding you'd be doing brakeless on your Urban? All the flowy, BMXy stuff incorporated. Looking at your setup, your mod seems to have the necessary bits to make it pull up nice and sound? Vid-wise, any chance you guys might be able to upload your latest ones onto a server I can view from China? (Like the server you use for your Tech guides) Cheers!

I still find it pretty amazing it's taken this long for a light mod tyre to come out. I used to not think about weight at all back in 2005/2006, especially for tyres I didn't care. However, the rolling weight makes a bit of a difference... and tyres and pedals are the best and easiest places to shed weight. Still, that being said a 24x2.4 Holy Roller tyre is around 700-800g only right? For such a small diameter tyre, 19"s are horribly heavy.

Keywords^ : for the time being I'm hoping as time goes by, we do see some good results. In any case, would having a long stem like the T-Tech Sport mod: 150x35 'ruin' the streety capability of a frame like the Inspired? I'd like to be able to pop into manuals and bunnyhops with relative ease yet maintain a TGSy edge. I will be running a T-Tech High rise bar, so there's not much more I can do to get the front end as hiiigggh as possible. This all being said, can anyone give some insight into the tyres? I am very curious about some of the Schwalbes

That was awesome, thanks for the Pinkbike link! Reminded me of the 2005 days, I will always miss those. Keep it up Neil! Inspiring riding as always!

I tried that link the day the video came out. However, the internet I'm using is censored to the point it blocks a lot of download servers as well. So I'm in need of a neutral server.. As far as I know Eengoedidee, TF gallery, and Tv isg all work. If anyone can upload the vid to one of these, I'd really appreciate it!

I'd really like to watch this video, but I can't see Youtube or Vimeo on this Chinese censored internet. Can anyone upload this onto a site I can view from? Maybe: Eengoedidee or the TF video gallery? Thanks very much! I appreciate it!

I'd really like to watch this video, but I can't see Youtube or Vimeo on this Chinese censored internet. Can anyone upload this onto a site I can view from? Maybe: Eengoedidee or the TF video gallery? Thanks very much! I appreciate it!

I'd really like to watch this video, but I can't see Youtube or Vimeo on this Chinese censored internet. Can anyone upload this onto a site I can view from? Maybe: Eengoedidee or the TF video gallery? Thanks very much! I appreciate it!

I'd really like to watch this video, but I can't see Youtube or Vimeo on this Chinese censored internet. Can anyone upload this onto a site I can view from? Maybe: Eengoedidee or the TF video gallery? Thanks very much! I appreciate it!