Dave!

lock on's are evil...trialtech foam all the way

Well just stick with an 05.....only don't tighten the clamp too much (they snap)

I liked the 04, they seem alot more hard wearing than the 05's and the TPA's are easier to bodge But if you want new then just stick with 05's....thats what im running at the moment and I've had no problems (yet)

I know this may sound crap....but onza hog. Mines lasted ages (2 years i think) and I've had like 8 grinds and still running. And its cheap! I know some people say "their made of cheese" but seriously I can't fault mine.

Failing this (if there isnt a ticket office) just ask the conductor when they come out to open the doors.

yup, theres normally an area for bikes.

The majority of what I have learnt was by watching a stack of videos, then going out and just trying odd bits that I thourght I might be able to manage. I think the key thing to remember is not to get frustrated and just keep practising. Riding with friends also helps me, I can't seem to ride long on my own.

The rip is an okay bike, will certainly be a good started bike. But I would try looking in the ad-mag and thinking second hand....for £300 you can get some amazing deals. But if you want brand new then I'd say the rip is a good start

Say what? but yeah back to topic....KMC Kool chain mines lasted years, only recently changed it because it was looking abit grim.

word.

well normally shorter wheelbase makes for better manuals and bunnyhops....long frames make it harder for that. EDIT: just looked and the czar's are 1005mm (short) wheelbase....would be better than say a zoo for street....saying that depends how tall you are.

just make sure the axel isnt a tiny bit too long (like a few mm) as mine was when I got a zoo and had to replace it with a slightly shorter one. basically the axel stuck out a few mm and the bolts when tightened didnt touch the frame.....so just be aware. apart from that I can't see why it would'nt fit.

well ZOO's, GU's, Echo's and Czar's are pritty much all the same in terms of strength and weight with a few exceptions. I can definetly say Zoo's are strong and pritty light (as is mine) but if you wanted somehting with less wheelbase id say an echo/czar. But at the end of the day its your choice.

I used to use a plate (on the old t-pro) but have been using a bashring now for 2 years and I really like it, its simple and compact....true its not as protective as a plate but if your not a rough rider then its all good. And they look alot better IMO

The bearing should have a number on the side....go on tarty's or where ever and see if they sell the same. It should just have a number like 6000 or what not. P.S: failing that just ring supercycles or tarty's and ask? they should be able to help.

hit the gym? you won't need a lighter bike then.

Thing to remember is slow down...just take it one step at a time. If you rush yourself and try landing the thing as fast as humanly possible its more likely you'll fail/bail. As far as sidehops go...find me a wall, get on the back wheel, find balancing point (trying not to rush) and then using my upper body throw everything upwards with a kick of the pedals and tucking my legs like no tomorrow...at the same time trying to see where i want to land and aiming best i can to get both wheels inline for the final landing. ...or something like that.

As long as the frames sounds and the threads arn't moshed BB's are no problem...just remember to throw in loads of grease! As for wheels, no harm in trying to build your own....but I'm sure wheel builds are only like £10. But if your on a mega budget I'd try building my own.

gloves stank!....makes your hands sweat, crumple up and make your hands even more sore...and cost money!

Foam grips, No gloves...its the way forward.

Yeah the freewheel will rip the threads off if theres nothing there to stop it.

You need a spacer to go where the bash ring should normally go....Tarty's sell them, only a few squid I think. Just ring em and ask...

As always with these types of things its personal preferance. But the simple way to work out whats right for you is to apply some maths to the issue...for example 18 divide 12 = 1.5. so for every turn of the cranks the wheel will turn 1.5 times....so if you want more wheel turn put less teeth on the rear and more on the front. But like I say its down to personal preferance and how you ride. hope this helps some how

I know you said you dont want to pay for braided, but it will work out cheaper in the long run if you keep breaking the plastic ones. so pay that little extra and it will save you money over time.

You could try a mahooosive helicoil?...but I dont know if they make them that big, or if you could find a drill piece that big. Failing that some sort of expanding glue, like gorilla glue could work...or that stuff that sets like metal (dont know the real name)?