Getting Back Into Trials

[Paul - bedfordtrials]

After a few years absence i've got back into riding again over the last few months. I'm riding a Planet X Zebdi (circa 2004 ish?) which is the same bike I rode a few years ago with the same old parts. I am now beginning to realise that most of the components on the bike are out dated and have seen better days, also i've grown, riding style changed, etc etc since and the bike basicly feels horrible to ride, its a real struggle to keep it on the back wheel and really isnt set up to suit me anymore.

I've figured i've got the following options;

1. Obviously buy a new frame and some new parts and use some bits from my current bike. This is an issue in itself as I dont know what frames are on the market really and which one would suit me best?

2. Keep my Zebdi and get some new parts - I've allready changed my bars and stem but the bike still feels horrible to ride.

If I did want to buy a new frame I'd be aiming to spend around £200-250.

I dont really know what else to say really, but if you need anymore info then ask. I hope someone can point me in the right direction.

Cheers,

Paul.

[Andeee]

After a few years absence i've got back into riding again over the last few months. I'm riding a Planet X Zebdi (circa 2004 ish?) which is the same bike I rode a few years ago with the same old parts. I am now beginning to realise that most of the components on the bike are out dated and have seen better days, also i've grown, riding style changed, etc etc since and the bike basicly feels horrible to ride, its a real struggle to keep it on the back wheel and really isnt set up to suit me anymore.

I've figured i've got the following options;

1. Obviously buy a new frame and some new parts and use some bits from my current bike. This is an issue in itself as I dont know what frames are on the market really and which one would suit me best?

2. Keep my Zebdi and get some new parts - I've allready changed my bars and stem but the bike still feels horrible to ride.

If I did want to buy a new frame I'd be aiming to spend around £200-250.

I dont really know what else to say really, but if you need anymore info then ask. I hope someone can point me in the right direction.

Cheers,

Paul.

My advice is to update yourself with a proper geometry frame id push your limit to £300 at most if you wish to? Because at £300 you could buy your self a echo,gu,czar,adamant,zoo and loads more. First of all what kind of riding do you do either street or natty? Oviously you'll need to work out what geo frame you need i my self am 5ft 8" and am riding a echo pure with 1075 length and 20mm b/b rise. But whats your height?. Theres loads to decide when upgrading parts on your bike and swapping over. Such as high or low frames. Best bet possibly is to go on group rides and go on other peoples bikes just to get the general idea of them. Id advise you to just swap frames at the moment depending on what spec your planet x is.

[Rusevelt]

Well if your looking at £200-£250 price tag, then checkout Trials-uk.co.uk and go for the £220 JOB Magnesium frame, or the £170 BIONIC frame. both frames feature modern trials geometry. if you want a Deng frame (Echo, GU, ZOO, Adamant) then try china-bike@hotmail.co.uk to get it direct from source. expect to pay around £230 inc shipping. but in all honestly, your old frame is still trialsable regardless how old it is....you just got get a good set-up and ride it.

[dandadude]

I ride a zebdi mk1 (2002 i think) and it rides lovely. I have ridden a few modern frames and personally i would say they haven't changed that much, higher bb's, slightly shorter cs's and generally a bit lighter but unless your current frames been battered or broken, keep with it for the time being and upgrade other bits. If you do decide to change frame however, £200 - £250 would pick you up a nice second hand frame and probably leave £70 - £100 left over for other bits. There are always bargains in the classifieds section and on ebay so just keep your eye out.

Have you ridden anyone elses bike to see if its definetly the bike thats making it a struggle on the back wheel? You never know you may be struggling just because you've been away from the sport for so long and you need to reaquaint yourself with it, maybe try a couple more stem sizes because i have found this to make quite a big difference to the overall feel of the bike. Hope you keep with it and don't stop riding because of this blip.

Dan

[Balman]

some people go to a more modern frames and find it alot easyer to ride and never look back but i know others that havent such as my friend who went from a planet x to a gu long 26" could ride it well but hated it so went to an ashton wich is short like old bikes but with a modern kinda feel its all about your riding style do you do mostly static rolling bunny hoping are you tinny massive ect its all based on personal prefrance if you maybe give your height and ruff riding techneic maybe a few clips or somthing someone might be able to point you in the right direction as to what would suit your style best.

just a idear could be talking out of my arse

[basher]

What is your style? you like bunnyhops and manuels ect like a streety style, or you have a comp orientated style like backwheel moves ect tapping and sidehoping.

i wouldnt jump striaght to a high bb frame i would go for something with a medium lowish one like 10-25 and may be around 380 chainstays so it does still have the potential to do streetish stuff like your current frame is but have be good for trials moves. If you tell us more about how you ride we could tell you what spec would suit you best.

[Tomm]

some people go to a more modern frames and find it alot easyer to ride and never look back but i know others that havent such as my friend who went from a planet x to a gu long 26" could ride it well but hated it so went to an ashton wich is short like old bikes but with a modern kinda feel

Yeah but like you say, Ashtons are still a much more modern frame than Zebdis. I loved my Zebdi when I had it but I rode one recently and, well, it wasn't that great. You'll definitely notice the difference going to something more modern.

One option is to sell the Zebdi as a whole bike for £200 ish (obviously depending on spec) and use the extra £300 so you'll have £500 ish for a second hand bike. Seems like a good idea to me?

[eskimo]

After coming back from riding just bmx for a few years i hadn't a clue about what was what either. Been through several frames the past year or two trying to find something that was perfect. Still nothing yet, i guess you just got to try them out.

[Paul - bedfordtrials]

Thanks for the response guys, I ride in a streety style mostly and my height is about 5 11''.

A pic of my bike below, basicly running an 100mm Easton EA50 Stem, Easton EA50 bars with 1.5 inch rise and 175 mm Middleburn cranks.

Cheers,

Paul