Greetings Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 Don't know how to start this so I'll go straight to the point.About a week ago after asking to be banned from this forum for a few days, I started going over my archival videos and pictures and found a pic of a bike I had a long time ago. It was an Echo Team 2003 and was thought by many who had a go on it to be one of the best bikes they had ever ridden - I certainly thought so but decided to go on with the times and get a Python. The Echo was sold in one piece, it's new owner didn't use it so it changed owners again. Decided to find out who is riding it and see if I can get it back. I quickly found the current owner who is willing to sell the bike since he hasn't got time to ride - the price is ridiculously low for, despite being old, a high-end bike.My idea is to get the bike back and restore it to exactly the same spec and looks as before the primary sale. This might be difficult due to the unavailability of BT 760mm bars, and because the frame has been sandblasted. None the less, I'd probably get the looks and spec pretty close. Many parts haven't been changed since. That's one part of the deal - after all getting this bike back just in order to ride it would be a waste of money since I hate mods with a passion. The idea is to go out on a solo ride, with exactly the same music I listened to during almost all my rides a few years ago (specific VA compilation) and just ride it as if I had gone back in time. Sounds like something a woman would do with her old high heel shoes... With me, this Echo is a kind of symbol of how I used to enjoy riding. I think this is just another attempt at making trials seem appealing to me, and might be the last stage before quitting all together. None the less, i'm interested in your opinions about doing something like this. To those of you who have been riding for many years - would you pay to get one of your first bikes back knowing you wouldn't enjoy riding it? Do any of you have any very strong and positive trials related memories from the past which you'd love to experience again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Quigley Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 hmmm......an interesting idea and if you think it's worth the cost then why not do it.Personally I wouldn't want my first bike back, it was crap then and is now (mission trials master). However I do have a friend with an echo es4R hung on his wall with the bb pretty much ripped off (cracked ans split 90% of the way round, only held on by one side of the seattube if I remember correctly) I guess he keeps it as it's quite impressive and remends him of the early days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pashley26 Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 Go for it man ! Do what ever it takes to get motivated to ride again ! And no doubt you'll have alot of fun on the way ! Al the best,Jarrod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 I'd love my 24" Ashton back for a play, would be great to let it live up to it's potential a little more, as, despite being shite now, I was worse then (maybe...)Saying that though, it was ony a year back I had it, so not as old and 'rootsy' as you're talking.That'd mean my £130 XC rig from a french supermarket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simpson Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 Id love to have my old Saracen Mad back again... would be a right laugh to go back and have a blast from the past! go for it man! but don't you dare think about quitting hahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Kearns Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 I'd Love to get my Zona Zip back. I rode that bike better than any bike i've ever had. It was probably the nicest looking one aswell. I have the person who brought it's email address. Might see if he's still got it and buy it back. I miss that bike .If any of you see it around in the Newark area which is Nottignham way. Let me Know.He may have stripped the frame but cause of the spec i imagine it should be the same.Danny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolver Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 do itdont quitmy rhymes speak truth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew_Gibson Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 I would love to jump back on my old echo, It was such a nice frame. I may get another monty if I have the money. But I wouldn't go back to my first bike. 'because the spec was rubish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 I would love to jump back on my old echo, It was such a nice frame.You mean the one I'm on now? If so, you're most definitely correct! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al_Fel Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 I know the feeling. I've got a Czar hanging up in my garage and I just don't want to ride it at all. I do however want to ride my coustellier I used to have. Thats not going back a long time but it was when I was doing some of my best riding and having the most fun. Anyone got a coust frame knocking about they don't want anymore? ha ha I think my one broke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spode@thinkbikes Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 I think it's a sound idea. Personally, I can get the same nostalgic feel by visiting locations that I used to ride, that I don't anymore. I sometimes think back to my Orange Zero, and how I could do things back then I can't do now. But then I remember that there's things I can do now that I couldn't do then. As one thing improves, other things are likely to get worse.It's very easy to get stuck in the past, and the grass will always be greener on the other side. Instead, I've tried to embrace the new school geometries and work with them instead of against them. Change isn't always a bad thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew_Gibson Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 You mean the one I'm on now? If so, you're most definitely correct!Yeha! Give me it back! You no you want to!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 You MAY (and that's a big may...) be able to have it back, depending on wat happens over the next week or two.If I don't need it and don't keep it, you'll be the first person I talk to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonMack Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 (edited) I posted a pic of my bike up in the old school saddles thread, and I'd love to have that thing back, just so I could try ride it to it's potential.Megamo RadicalLite GuysOnza BarsRaceFace Prodigy StemSD7s F&RCK Classic on D521 - Maxxis MinionPace Carbon Hub on X217 (Not pictured) - Hot SBurns on Gigapipe BBLocked out SoraBase PedalsI still remember the spec Edited December 21, 2007 by JonMack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 The '03 Teams rode really nicely, so don't blame you for wanting it back!I've got my first frame ever in my garage, a cracked, then re-welded 2000 T-Bird. Tech Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greetings Posted December 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 That Megamo is so nice! No wonder you want it back I think I'll buy a piggybank and start saving up for that Echo. Could be really fun trying to restore it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan6061 Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 I'd hate to get my T-Bird back.It was shit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Scarlet Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 I think its a nice project, almost like a restoration project on a car or motorbike that someone may take up to relive their memories of that vehicle.Even if you choose to give up trials, its something nice to end it on, it would pretty much be the bike you started and ended on.And you could at least keep it for the memory of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Beck Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 I wish i had my zona back people round here always said that it was sketchy as feck and something was always wrong with it.But, i loved the hell out of it, just because i had so many bodges going on it. Even though it was a nail at times i improved so much in one summer on it than i did in the 2 years before!!!baby come back!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greetings Posted December 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 Just been sent some up to date pictures of the Echo.Before/now Going t be a tough job getting the frame back to it's previous condition. In fact I have no idea how to do it... Originally it wasn't polished but brushed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam-Griffin Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 The '03 Teams rode really nicely, so don't blame you for wanting it back!I've got my first frame ever in my garage, a cracked, then re-welded 2000 T-Bird. Tech One of these badboy's;Got a black one in my garage, no crack's or anything, just so outdated it's untrue, there more of a BMX frame than a trial's frame haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muel Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 I have a cracked, then rewelded, then cracked, then rewelded and plated, then cracked and abondoned, then repainted T-Pro frame on my wall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 I wish i had my zona back people round here always said that it was sketchy as feck and something was always wrong with it.But, i loved the hell out of it, just because i had so many bodges going on it. Even though it was a nail at times i improved so much in one summer on it than i did in the 2 years before!!!baby come back!!!If it's a Zip, I've got a Zip frame in my garage doing f**k all. Get involved One of these badboy's;Got a black one in my garage, no crack's or anything, just so outdated it's untrue, there more of a BMX frame than a trial's frame hahaIndeed it is - I cut the top of the seat-tube off on one of mine (I've got 2, haha), both in the o.g. blue. One cracked, one fresh, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavyn. Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 my short gu i really loved it dunno why i fancied a change at the time might try get the frame back at some point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex-Mitchinson Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 I have a cracked, then rewelded, then cracked, then rewelded and plated, then cracked and abondoned, then repainted T-Pro frame on my wall.Hahahahaha that really made me laugh. Was that the one you sprayed white and had as your avatar pic for a while? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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